CC: Picture courtesy and is sourced from: http://www.mavromatic.com
I am always on a look out to find good article related to home improvement on different sources and I came cross to Yahoo Home article and had to share it here. This informative home improvement article is fully educating every homeowner in regards to roof and roof repairs.
Many home owners must learn the technical aspect of their home repair to make the right decision and be aware of the cost and expenses involved in renovation. I like to be a little controversial and say we are moving forward with technology and right now many solar companies offer special solar energy tile for roof. Although the price of this inventive decision is higher than regular roofing material, but the outcome and long run result is certainly worth every penny. The good news is as the technology improves, the price of the solar energy panels and its material gets cheaper.
For now until you make a right choice as a homeowner, lets read Yahoo’s article on roofing.
article Source originated from: http://homes.yahoo.com/news/replace-repair-roof-035454490.html
“Should You Replace or Repair Your Roof?
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Bob Vila/CertainTeed Asphalt Shingle
Making good decisions is the key to minimizing near- and long-term costs related to any home improvement. This is especially true for large, complex jobs like re-roofing. In this particular case, some of the most important decisions should be made before you hire a contractor or choose a shingle manufacturer.
The first decision is whether to simply patch leaks and damaged areas or whether partial or complete re-roofing is in order. If you choose the latter, you’ll also have to decide whether to roof over your existing roof or whether to remove it. There are cost consequences either way.
Replacing shingles due to wind damage or a fallen limb is a relatively easy and inexpensive. Torn or damaged shingles can be removed, and new ones can be slipped in place. The downside is that unless your roof is relatively new and you happen to have saved some spare shingles from the job, your patch job may not match the existing roof. But that is a small price to pay if the repair would extend the life of your current roof for another 10 or 15 years! However, if you plan to sell your home in the next few years, ask your contractor to order shingles that match as closely as possible. A roof with a prominent patch is unattractive and will not inspire a potential buyer’s confidence.
Counter to intuition, partial re-roofing jobs are more expensive on a cost per square (a 10′ x 10′ area) basis. They can create added problems, too. For example, if an asphalt roof already has two or more layers, all layers will have to be removed in order for the partial re-roofing to proceed. So in addition to increased labor and disposal costs, you may face the possibility of a lopsided effect at ridges, with the old roof ending up a couple of inches higher than the new one. Even when built up with a course of shingles and covered with a ridge cap, the hump may still be noticeable.
A New Roof—Cheaper in the Long Term?
Even if only part of your roof is showing signs of wear, it’s wise to consider doing the entire job while the crew is on-site with its scaffolding, ladders, and equipment. This will likely be less expensive than doing one part now and the remainder in a few years. I recently had a quote to repair one side of a four-sided hip roof for $2,800. For the entire roof, meanwhile, the quote was $9,000, or $2,250 per side. Given that the previous owner had re-roofed 17 years before with shingles that only carried a 20-year rated life expectancy, I decided to spring for a complete re-roofing.
When to re-roof depends on several variables, including the shingles’ wear and age, the climate in your area, and your home’s susceptibility to future damage. I patched my own roof after Hurricane Irene blew off six or seven shingles in 2011. The replacement shingles were off the rack at the home center and lightweight, but they matched the existing three-tab style, were somewhat close in color, and saved me from having to buy more shingles than I needed. Added a few extra dabs of roofing cement under the patching shingles, I hoped for the best. The job cost $160.
A little over a year later, Hurricane Sandy blew away another dozen or so shingles. Re-roofing with a more durable shingle, one with vastly improved adhesives, held a lot of appeal. The fact that the new shingles would have six nails per shingle instead of four, as now recommended by the shingle manufacturer for high-wind areas, was also an incentive.
Tear Off or Roof Over?
Once you’ve decided to re-roof, you’ll have to decide whether to install your new roof over the existing one or whether to tear the old one off. Once again, the choice comes down to saving a little money now and risking greater expenses down the road, or spending more now to do the job right and minimize future expenses.
If you already have two layers shingles, the decision is made for you. The International Residential Code (R907.3) says that you cannot put a new roof over two or more applications of any type of roof covering. Part of the reason has to do with weight and its effect on the structure of your home. A shingle in your hand may not feel as though it weighs much, but cover a roof with 1,500 square feet of them, and it’s nearly the equivalent of parking a two-ton SUV up there!
If you have only one layer of asphalt shingles, you may decide to have them removed even though you’re not required to. Doing so may save you money in the future. For example, if you live in an area that is subject to high winds, keep in mind that shingles will hold better if fastened directly to the roof deck. In addition, removing the old shingles will allow you to inspect the roof deck or sheathing.
The opportunity to evaluate the condition of your roof deck is valuable, insofar as you can check for wood rot and the presence of inadequate sheathing fasteners. By making any necessary repairs and adding fasteners to sheathing (especially annular nails or screws), you will avoid the dramatic losses caused when sheathing blows off the roof, allowing rain to cause extensive interior damage. Beginning your roofing job with a clean roof deck (old shingles and roofing felt removed) also means you have the option of adding ice-and-water-shield membrane along the eaves. It can only be applied to a clean deck but will help prevent damage due to ice dams.
A new roof is a big expense but should last you for decades. Do it right and you’ll have one less thing to worry about when storm winds blow. In the long term, you’ll also end up with more money in your pocket.”
This was a great article i had to share. Every homeowner needs to know every aspect of owning a house. A homeowner must be fully knowledgeable in repair, replacing and renovating the house throughout. Roof is a major repair cost but it is not done frequently. Changing the roof and choosing its material depends on the geographic weather condition. In moist and colder climates where there is snow, rain and high humidity, roof needs to be changed frequently. If you need to get more information on your roof and are looking to find a roof company or professional contractor, post your request in bids by pros project format and let local skilled roof repair companies and knowledgeable handyman and contractors bid on your service request.
On the other hand I wish one day, we all use solar power energy in every roof. Instead of many different material and shingles in roof replacement, I hope one day every house goes green and use solar power roofing. Even in rainy and cloudy atmospheres, having a solar power roof saves 25% on monthly bills and coal burning. In highly sun exposed areas such as Arizona, many houses can independently operate their energy power from well installed solar power.
If you have anything extra to share and add about roofing and its related subjects comment box is open for your info and referrals.
Don Z