Why Most Roofers Will Tell You to Replace Your Roof

A small leak or a strong storm that causes roof damage can strike fear in the hearts and wallets of commercial building owners who envision the costs and headaches associated with getting a new roof. More money is why most roofers will tell you to replace your roof, but it in many cases it is not as necessary as they might have you believe. To better protect yourself against getting a premature roof replacement when you don’t really need one, read on to learn more about roof renovations and why they can be a better option.

Why Most Roofers Will Tell You to Replace Your Roof

Unfortunately, there’s a number of reasons why most roofers will tell you to replace your roof. The fact of the matter is that most roofs do not have to be completely replaced but can instead receive a much less expensive and still warrantied roof renovation.

So why do roofers tell you to replace your roof? Here are a few of the most common reasons:

• Money. At the heart of the matter, it can all boil down to money. The time and materials involved in putting on a completely new roof are vast, and when adding in the labor, it can make for a hefty price tag. Simply put, the company can make more money off of the client by putting on a new roof than they can by renovating or repairing the existing one.
• Inexperience. For a roofer that is inexperienced, they may see the number of repairs that would need to be fixed and naively recommend a complete roof replacement. While this mistake is usually not meant to cheat the customer, it can still result in the customer spending thousands more than they would have spent by working with a company capable of roof renovations.
• Lack of knowledge about renovations. Sadly, because so many roofers will tell you to replace your roof rather than renovate it, some roofing companies may not have worked on a renovation project and may simply not be cognizant that renovations are a legitimate option in many cases.

How to Know If You Need a Roof Replacement or a Renovation

If you are working with a new roofing company and are not yet sure if you can trust them, the best way to know if you need a roof replacement or a renovation is by the results of a thorough roof inspection. This allows the documentation to speak for itself.

A reputable roofing company will offer a variety of inspection packages to fit any budget. A quality inspection should include a general roof and leak inspection as well as a detailed report, identification of leak sources, identification of defects and problems, estimation of the age of the roof, recommendations of any necessary repairs, a cost analysis, a five-year roof management plan, and a summary spreadsheet.

One of the main things done in a roofing inspection is to detect the presence of moisture. Look for a company that utilizes more than one moisture finding technique such as analyzing core samples of the roof for strength and moisture content, using infrared scans for detection, and utilizing Tramex for tracing roof leaks.

Common Repair and Renovation Options

When it comes to repair options, a reputable roofing company should be able to offer both of the following services:

The scope of corrective repairs is large and generally varies by roof but typically includes:

• Overhauling previous repairs
• Fixing defects beyond preventative classification
• Rebuilding defective flashing, scuppers, and drains
• Sealing corners, defective joints, overlaps, vents, penetrations, etc.

Roof renovation options are customized to meet the needs of each individual structure, but all efforts are ultimately geared toward better protecting a roof in the event of hurricane force winds, heavy monsoon rains, and strong UV rays.

When applicable, roof renovations can include:

• Use of BUR, modified, metal, foam, and single-ply roofing systems
• Clearage of roof debris
• Clearage of gravel, if built-up gravel roof
• Pressure washing
• Rebuilding and sealing roofing components (drains, flashing, scuppers, laps, joints, ducts, corners, seams, etc.)
• Removal of deteriorated repairs and incompatible materials
• Replacement of decking and saturated insulation
• Usage of a base application on roof
• Usage of reflective applications on roof

Benefits of Renovations Instead of Replacements

One of the most obvious benefits of having a roof renovated as opposed to being replaced is that it is typically less expensive, with up to fifty percent or more savings comparatively. And while this is a perk worth noting, the advantages of having a roof renovation goes well beyond it as renovations also offer:

• Energy savings. On average, buildings experience a fifteen percent reduction in cooling costs, which is particularly beneficial in climates where it is warm much of the year.
• Limited disruption. While there may be some noise associated with repairs needed for a renovation, they generally pale in comparison to the noise that can come with a roof replacement. The limited disruption is better for the staff and business inside the building.
• Less waste. When a roof is completely replaced, the materials torn off are discarded and thrown into a landfill. Roof renovations yield considerably less waste which can make it a more environmentally friendly option for commercial buildings.
• Warranty. Some building owners mistakenly think that warranties only come with a new roof, but a reputable roofing company will offer a warranty on roof renovations as well.

Quit wondering why most roofers will tell you to replace your roof and take comfort in the knowledge that you are now equipped to have the discussion about whether a complete roof replacement is necessary versus a roof renovation.