Are your asphalt shingles looking a little lopsided? Or perhaps your house has developed a leaky roof? It might be time to consider roof replacement!
Whether you have your heart set on some brand-new shingles or want to try metal roofs instead, there are more than a few things to consider when replacing a roof.
A home improvement project is not something to undertake lightly. It is a big project that requires you to save money, plan properly, and hire professional roofers to get the job done.
However, time is not always a luxury you have, significantly if your shingle roof has been damaged by one of the frequent storms in Austin, Texas.
If your roof is not in good shape and allows rainwater to drip inside, you must act fast to prevent severe damage to your roof frame, walls, and furniture.
WDR Roofing Company Austin is here to help! Give us a call, and we will have one of our professional roofing contractors on the scene to do an inspection.
Six Signs You Need a Roof Replacement
Knowing when you can get by with a bit of DIY and when it is necessary to consider a complete roof replacement is not always easy.
With so many things to consider when replacing a roof, some people make costly mistakes, such as leaving the problem until the damage becomes quite expensive.
To avoid the same lapse in judgment, look for these six signs that it is time to consider roof replacement:
- The roof sags
- It’s been over 20 years since the roof was replaced
- Moss is growing on the roofing surface
- Water is leaking into your home or business
- There’s mold on your ceiling or walls
- Shingles are visibly cracked, crooked, or damaged
Read This Before You Get a New Roof
As soon as you see any of the above signs, it’s time to make plans for roof replacement. However, this costs a lot of time and money.
There are things to consider when replacing a roof that may end up making the whole process easier and cheaper.
Here are 11 crucial considerations before you get started on your new roof:
- Roofing Contractor
Replacing a roof is not something you can do on your own. That means one of the first things to consider when replacing a roof is the person you will hire to remove the roof.
A good contractor does more than replace your roof. They will handle the inspection of the roof frame and advice you on the most cost-effective way of installing a new roof.
If some of your roofing material, such as the existing shingles, is still usable, they will make efforts to conserve it so that you cut costs in every way possible.
There is also the issue of the local building code that your new roof has to comply with. Only an experienced roofing contractor can tell you whether the roofing material you want for your new roof will comply with municipal regulations.
- Type of Roofing Materials
Regarding roofing materials, this is another one of the most important things to consider when replacing a roof. Your budget is usually the main limitation when choosing the roofing materials for your new roof.
There are so many options to choose from, such as:
- Asphalt shingles
- Metal roofing
- Wood shingle roof
- Slate roof
- Membrane or rubber roof
- Clay and concrete tile roofing
- Composite shingles
- Corrugated roof
- Solar shingles
When removing your old shingles, you will have to decide whether to stick with the old roof design or whether it is time to improve your home’s curb appeal with a set of brand-new shingles.
- Noise Pollution
Replacing a roof will involve a lot of hammering, grinding, sawing, and other normal but loud construction noises.
Your neighbors will not be able to help but notice it. How this will affect or inconvenience them is one of the things to consider when replacing a roof.
You will also have contractors coming and going and leaving their large trucks parked in the driveway at all hours of the day.
There is nothing you can do about noise pollution. However, give your neighbors fair warning that you plan on replacing your roof and when you expect the work to be finished.
- Research the Lowest Prices
You will come across many roof replacement contractors in Austin, Texas, and one of the most important things you will need to do is choose a reliable and affordable one.
In-depth research is essential, especially when dealing with a contractor offering services at meager rates. There is always the risk that they are not licensed contractors or will be unable to handle the repairs or replacement required.
- Quality Roofing Material Over Price
When choosing your roof material, such as metal flashing, gutters, and curling shingles, it is essential to resist the temptation to buy whichever materials are cheap.
Your roof will need to last a long time before you have to replace it again, so buying quality materials that may be a little more expensive than you would have liked is a good idea that will save you money in the long run.
- Old Roof Removal
Does your roof replacement require the complete removal of the old roof? If that is the case, you will need to decide where that roof will be placed.
You may also have to make temporary living arrangements depending on how extensive the repairs will be, primarily if your contractor advises you that the entire roof frame has to go.
- Debris and Refuse Disposal
Once the damaged roof comes down, you will have a lot of debris around the yard. If your roof is ancient, you might even have some hazardous material, such as asbestos and lead, among the refuse.
It is essential to get rid of it in an environmentally friendly way that does not violate municipal regulations.
Your roof contractor can assist you with this as part of the package or at an added cost.
- Roofing Contractor Terms and Conditions
Look carefully at the contract you are about to sign, paying extra attention to the services offered and the cost breakdown.
Some contractors will try to slip some hidden costs by you, which you will only realize when the job is already underway, and it’s too late to turn back.
Also, consider the type of insurance that the contractor has because when replacing a roof, many things can go wrong, which would require a fully insured contractor to be able to fix.
- Peeling off vs. Layering On
Are you going to completely strip off the worn-out roof, or are you planning to add a new layer on top of the existing one?
Both methods are very effective ways of replacing your roof, and your roofing contractors will be the best people to advise you on which option to take.
Generally, it all depends on the roof material you have because some roofs, such as shingles, can easily add a new layer on top of the old one, while metal roofs, for example, may require a new roof entirely on their own.
- Prevent Another Roof Replacement
Once you install the replacement roof, it is essential to ensure that you do not have to repeat the same type of house renovation any time soon. You can do this by:
- Preventing an ice dam from forming
- Keeping your chimney in good working condition
- Removing sand and leaves from your gutters
- Looking for rust on metal roofing
- Replacing any cracked sealant
- Regularly cleaning and inspecting your roof
- Check Roof Framing
One of the last things to consider when replacing a roof is to remember to go into the attic and check the roof frame.
Usually, people focus on adding a new layer of roofing over an existing one without seeing if the roof frame is still in good shape.
Don’t DIY! Hire Roofing Contractors
Although the temptation to save a few extra dollars by attempting to replace roof materials is strong, you must resist it.
Even small leaks or run-off from the edges of your roof’s eaves can signify a much bigger problem.
The amount of damage and injury that a collapsed roof can cause is not something to take lightly.
Always seek the help of a professional roofer to help you with repairing and installing your new roof.
No Time To Get Roof Replaced?
Sometimes a storm or hail can cause a large tear in your roof in the middle of the rainy season.
If you do not have time to completely replace everything, from gutters to flashing, you can hire our contractors to patch your roof enough for you to safely get through the rainy season.
Once the weather clears up, we can work on the real replacement process for the entire roof.
Looking For Complete Roof Replacement? Try WDR Roofing Company of Austin – The Re-roofing Experts
Do not let moisture from roof leaks enter your home and damage your walls and wood ceiling. Call the premier roofing company in Austin, and we will fix it.
Whether it’s a simple repair job to cover a hole caused by hail stones or you want to replace the entire roof with a new one, we can help. Request a free quote from WDR Roofing Company of Austin today!