Your roof needs replacing if it has exceeded its service life or it’s so damaged it makes the building unsafe. However, if your structure has some fight left in it and trustworthy professionals approve, consider alternatives to avoid a roof tear-off.
Is a Roof Tear-Off Your Only Option?
If your roof is old or has sustained severe damage that’s caused sagging, several leaks, or molded materials, it’s wise to invest in a complete roof tear-off. When things are this bad, your roof is dangerous since, chances are, its underlayment has lost its integrity. Don’t put your occupants at risk under a hazardous roof.
Conversely, if your structure only has small holes or lifting materials in a few areas, these are common issues that certainly need to be addressed, but the answer doesn’t have to be a roof tear-off. In some cases, re-roofing may do the trick, effectively extending your structure’s service life by several years. Before making a quick decision and getting a roof tear-off and replacement, weigh your other options. Then, with the help of certified roofing technicians, decide which one’s best for you.
Re-Roof vs Roof Tear-Off
Re-roofing is the process of installing a new system over an existing roofing system. Re-roofing for shingled structures is a quick and convenient way to instantly improve the building’s appearance by covering the worn shingles with a new layer of shingles. This also provides another barrier of protection against the elements.
Keep in mind, commercial property owners cannot legally have more than one re-roofing system. Otherwise, they violate regional building codes due to safety concerns. Tearing off both systems is unnecessary, but the second re-roofed structure must be removed entirely before installing another one, even if it’s in excellent condition. If the second layer of roofing isn’t damaged, it can stay and re-roofing can be done on top.
Either way, re-roofing is best for roofs that are showing signs of wear and tear but have no serious underlying issues.
The Advantages Roof Repair Over a Roof Tear-Off
Roof repairs are fast, effective, and cost-efficient alternatives to complete tear-offs. Plus, they’re safer for the environment. Since a roof tear-off contributes loads of toxic waste to the landfill, it has a significant environmental impact. On the other hand, roof repairs are less harmful to the planet, only resulting in 10% of roof waste to landfills.
To save time and money, there are a few choices for re-roofing or roof repairs, including:
Spray Coating
One of the most popular commercial re-roofing options is spray coating. Not only will a spray coating extend the existing roof’s service life, but it also reduces energy costs due to its high reflectivity. It’s also known for its watertight seal, preventing moisture and pest intrusion.
Additionally, spray coatings are great enhancements to Duro-Last roofing systems; a certified Duro-Last roofing contractor can retrofit a new roof onto the damaged structure. Duro-Last roof systems are custom fabricated PVC (polyvinyl chloride) flat roof membranes. Installation is quick and less invasive than traditional roofing options.
About a week after contractors measure your roof’s dimensions, they can install your custom membrane that eliminates up to 85% of seams. Duro-Last is water resistant, chemical resistant, and highly reflective. Because of its incredible durability, it’s low maintenance and provides decades of protection.
Patching
Patching is essentially shingle or material replacement. This is a quick and easy way to fix individual problem areas, so it’s perfect when a roof has minimal damage and a roof tear-off would be a waste of labor, money, and materials. After consulting with a legitimate roofing contractor and ruling out the need for a full roof tear-off and replacement, it’s good to consider patching. It’s the perfect solution for minor roof leaks; as long as the roof deck isn’t warped, patching solves the problem for good.
If your shingles are cracked or missing, shingle replacement in certain areas is also a feasible option. This fixes roof leaks, eliminates drafts from outdoor air, and keeps pests from entering the building. If you can find shingles that match your existing colors, that makes it even better.
What’s the Average Cost To Tear Off and Replace a Roof?
Sometimes, roof replacement is 100% necessary. And it isn’t cheap. The national average for a roof replacement costs $5,443 on the low end and $11,209 on the high end. Property owners in the middle of the spectrum pay a little over $8,000 on average. A newly replaced roof usually lasts 30 to 100 years, so it offers a worthy return on investment. However, it’s still wise to do as much research as possible and speak with professionals regarding the safest, most cost-effective option for you.
New Image Keeps You Legally in Line With Building Codes
Before finalizing your decision, it’s best to hire trusted industry professionals to perform a roof inspection. New Image Atlanta is Georgia’s premier roofing contractor that specializes in re-roofing, repairs, replacement, and much more. After we thoroughly analyze your current roofing structure, we confirm our observations with you in a documented report and recommend a plan that saves you money and provides you with peace of mind.
Whether you need us to breathe new life into your existing roof or perform a tear-off and replacement, we’ve got you covered. New Image also specializes in new construction for developing properties and roof restoration. We offer a wide range of services to meet the unique needs of our customers, and we look forward to showing you all that we can do.
