You have probably heard the saying, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” This statement can often be applied when considering repair to an older roof or section of roof beyond the stage of preservation. For example, an older section of roof with excessive curling, splitting and deterioration of the shake or shingle exposure may be best left alone. There are two main reasons why.
- Removing a shake or shingle from a roof is an invasive process. In order to remove just one piece of wood six nails must be broken or ripped out of their setting which includes under layers of wood and the decking (usually plywood or lathing strips). For a shake roof where felt paper is commonly used to create an extra layer of protection tearing is unavoidable. When repairing an older non – protected roof a domino effect is likely to take place. One repair turns into many because the surrounding wood could not take the necessary force of the initial shingle or shake removal. This area of repair is now more vulnerable then it was before the repair took place.
- The new repairs do not match the rest of the roof. The aesthetic presentation of new wood scattered throughout the old roof is certainly not appealing. Ever after natural weathering of the replacement wood the color will still be off and repairs noticeable. The chance these repairs in the example above lead to any extra roof life is doubtful.
The cost of repairs are expensive and not always in your best interest. Sometimes it makes sense to save your money for a new roof in the future. Active leaks requiring specific attention can always be diagnosed and in the majority of cases successfully repaired.
NOTE: Be aware that not all sections of roof weather at the same rate. In the examples used above the other sections of these roofs may still be a candidate for both repair and preservation. Part replacement and part preservation is often an option which can save the homeowner tens of thousands of dollars. No matter what the age of your roof is – understanding it is invaluable. Evaluations can be submitted, options can be provided and decisions can be made based on knowledge.
