This is the most significant question that arises in the mind of a homeowners if the roof is past its prime. Especially when a powerful storm has affected multiple shingles on the roof. When you cannot decide the extent of the damage but fear that it may be extensive, a quick decision becomes imperative.
A Tampa roof repair, obviously, costs less because a replacement is an expensive matter. On the flip side, repair offers a short-term solution, but a replacement offers peace of mind for a long time. In short, this is going to be an important decision, either way. There are quite a few variables that will impact this decision.
Roof Repair
1. Damaged shingles
If the number of shingles lost is not too large, repairing it will be sufficient. The wind usually does not affect the roof uniformly. It damages some parts more than the others. If a part of the roof is damaged, repairing only that part is required.
2. Damaged Flashings
Flashing is another component of a Tampa roof which is likely to be affected. The wind may lift the metal sheet making a gap for the water to seep in. This again, can be repaired very easily.
3. Damaged Fascia
If the wind is too strong, it will affect the fascia. As this is on the edge of the roof, it will be most exposed to the wrath of the wind. Fascia boards can be broken off or blown off in the gale. This is not much of a problem if it is repaired as quickly as possible. The boards can be replaced without any trouble.
4. Damaged Gutters
When the fascia is affected, damage to gutters is a sure thing. Even if the fascia is not affected, it is more than likely the gutters will be torn off. The gutters can be re-fitted if they are in the right shape. If the wind has distorted them, it is better to replace them.
5. Damaged roof-top structures
The flying debris can damage your chimney, vents, or other roof-top fixtures. The top of the chimney will be broken off. The flying tree limbs can distort the vent or break the skylight glass.
Roof Replacement
If the roof has lost a large number of shingles and water has trickled down, while you were trying to engage a roofer, the damage to the underlayment and decking may be extensive. Roofers will be extremely busy after a destructive storm. In such cases, a partial replacement of the roof will be more cost-effective. Of course, you can just let the underlayment dry and replace the missing shingles for the time being. A roofing professional will help you with this decision. We frequently will put a temporary tarp on your roof to avoid any roof leaks or rot to your decking.
If your roof has reached the near-end of its service life, a storm is highly detrimental. A repair may not hold it for long. If the bad weather occurs continually during a storm-season, by the end of the season, a roof replacement will be inevitable. If so, the money spent on repair is lost. It is better to have a detailed roof check-up before you decide the course of action.
In case, a tree or a massive tree limb has fallen on your roof, you cannot escape at least a partial replacement. If the damage is more than 50%, a complete replacement will be a better solution due to many reasons. If the damage was serious, there may be unseen damages to the structure or the decking of the roof, which will manifest after some time. Then a replacement becomes extremely necessary. Therefore, a decision should be taken very carefully, and it should be an informed decision. The opinion of an expert is very relevant here.