There are a lot of decisions to make when it comes to your residential property and budget. At the core of all your home's needs, you must weigh the pros and cons of short-term and long-term repairs. Usually, the long-term is the most valuable. In this article, we explain what a roof tear-off is and why this is the most valuable long-term decision.
Determining if You Need a Tear-Off or Replacement
Ideally, the deciding factor between a tear-off or full replacement is up to you. But hiring a professional company to visit and inspect your property and current conditions can help bring you closer to making the most informed and realistic decision. If budget is a primary concern, your roof repair contractor can identify the most plausible solution and help you navigate the finances involved.
Generally, where there are multiple layers of shingling, a tear-off is the most appropriate direction. Applying a new later to old, exposed shingles are exposed is the fastest way to decrease damage and structurally alter the future of repairs, replacements, and integrity.
The Primary Objectives of a Roof Tear-Off
Upon reaching the decision to perform a full roof tear-off, your industry professionals will remove the layers of your roof one by one and take notes of the findings. This process will help them understand the underlying issues, age, and any potential structural damage that may be occurring or on its way. The peeling process helps prepare the contractors to lay a new roof and offers clarity for how to navigate potential issues.
A few things you can expect from a full roof tear-off include the following:
- Quality improvements
- Increased property values
- Full replacement ready
- Improved long-term performance
It's essential to note that the upfront values of any roofing services vary. And while making an initial lower-cost repair might seem more feasible today, you need to consider the long-term value of each option before finalizing repairs with a contractor.
Upfront, a shingle-over-shingle reroofing is more cost-effective. But when compared to the long-term, a complete roof tear-off offers increased benefits both now and in the future. Below, we bring some of these benefits into more focus to help you understand if your home needs a full roof tear-off.
Increase Overall Curb Appeal
It's relatively simple to understand that any time you invest in the exterior of your property, you increase its overall curb appeal. This matters regardless of selling status or neighborhood. If you have no intention of selling any time soon, that's okay—curb appeal still matters. For your neighbors and the people who drive through the neighborhood, you want to have a clean presentation and showcase that you care about your property.
Should you decide it's time to sell, you're ready to go, and the exterior is show worthy for potential buyers. Regarding your specific neighborhood, you may find that the homes around you perform updates and repairs timely, keeping the neighborhood in tip-top shape as a whole. Being a house that lacks curb appeal can draw tension between you and your neighbors. This is avoidable by addressing exterior concerns and staying on top of overall curb appeal aspects.
Improves Home Protection Measures
As mentioned above, your home may need a full roof tear-off if it's older or you suspect structural damage. The peeling of the layers can help shed light on issues that pose a safety risk, and the outcome can result in improved home protection measures.
If support beams are weak, you will find out and can make repairs. If the wood is experiencing dry rot, a common issue, you can replace the wood and start fresh. New materials automatically improve the support and safety of the roof in the long-term, but you need a tear-off to make it this far.
Hidden Issues Become More Detectable
Any time you place new shingles or roof materials over the top of existing structures and materials, you essentially conceal the potential issues that currently exist. This will prolong the detection and repair of these issues for 15, 20, or even 25 more years. When you remove the underlay, you uncover the issues that are undetectable by visual inspection alone and expose the things that need addressing.
Commonly, the roof deck is the place where structural issues rest, and without removing the underlay, you neglect these issues. Most minor issues to the roof are resolvable with simple roof repairs. Still, when more significant things occur, they need to be addressed straight away; for instance, you should prioritize issues like rotting or weakened decking to enhance and ensure the safety of occupants. All professional roofers with years of experience know that you cannot trust roofs with structural damage, weak integrity, or rotting.
Extend the Roof's Permanency
The full roof tear-off process allows professional contractors to make clean and clear decisions about suitable materials and structural support. For example, if new asphalt shingles get overlaid on a weakened or rotting support beam, the longevity of the roof's performance is questionable.
In general, new roofs should withstand the elements they are subject to and provide shelter for 20 years, give or take. When you lay new over a weak support system, this number reduces drastically, and the roof could either give away tomorrow or in 5 years.
Concerns With the Existing Warranty
Warranties are solely designed to protect products that receive proper and thorough installation and use. You risk revoking the terms and conditions of your existing warranty if you simply overlay materials and do not perform a comprehensive tear and reinstall.
When an issue such as unexpected or accidental damage arises, you can no longer file a warranty claim because you revoked that right when you did not follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you're unsure about warranties, claims, and the terms of a warranty, it's vital you partner with the contractor to discuss and clarify the roof, materials, and conditions of your specific warranty agreement.
Long-Term Financial Savings
Many small repairs might be more cost-effective in the short term, but over time, these expenses add up and will end up being financially draining. Considering the long-term investment and value is the most ideal financial approach to homes and their repair needs—specifically, something as important and structurally necessary as a roof. A tear-off sets you up as the homeowner to sell anytime, maximize profits, minimize the need for short-term repairs, and ultimately make the home safer.
Northpoint Roofing Systems' Solutions
Northpoint Roofing Systems offers dependable and reputable roof repairs, tear-offs, and replacements. We have an industry-leading team with experience and expertise to navigate your custom solutions with ease. Our advanced technology helps us get to the root of the issue and complete comprehensive upgrades to all residential roofing demands.
