It may appear as a leak where your living room ceiling meets the wall or in the form of shingles scattered across the yard after a severe thunderstorm. Sometimes, it is more subtle like granules appearing in your gutters in ever greater quantities.“It” is roof damage — simple to deal with early on, but far more expensive to address if ignored. Luckily, local roofing contractors offer a variety of residential roofing services to address any possible roofing issue.
Residential Roofing Services
An experienced, full-service local roofing contractor will offer a wide variety of residential roofing services designed to meet the different needs of their customers.
Roof Inspections
One simple thing you can do to extend the life of your roof is to be proactive and schedule an annual roof inspection by a certified roof inspector. A periodic review of your roof’s condition will alert you to developing issues. It’s a preventative service that gives you the opportunity to catch problems at an early stage.
A certified roof inspector will observe problems not visible from the ground, and other issues not so easily detected by an untrained eye. An inspector will note common problems like deteriorating shingles, damaged flashing, debris buildup and excessive moss growth.
Roof Repairs
Many things an inspector notices may be easily remedied with a good cleaning and/or minor residential roofing repairs. Many common residential roofing repairs are relatively easy and inexpensive to complete. These include basic shingle repairs, flashing repairs and re-caulking.
Extensive shingle replacements or repairs to the substrate are more extensive, yet manageable. Long-term leaks may rot framing and timbers. A reputable local roofer should be willing to tackle any repair, no matter how large or small.
Re-Roofing
At some point, the cost of maintaining an aging roof is more expensive than replacing it. If your roof is aging yet structurally sound, it is often possible to simply install new shingles over the existing ones. This is known as re-roofing, and it is less expensive than a complete tear-off and full roof replacement.
Roof Replacements
When there are already two layers of shingles on your roof, local codes require a tear-off before it is possible to apply new shingles. This is known as a roof replacement. There are other reasons why a complete tear-off might be necessary. For example, serious moisture intrusion into the sub-roofing often requires a tear-off and residential roof repairs before the new roof is installed.
Severe storm damage may also require a residential roof replacement, but only after the possible structural damage is repaired. Severe winds sometimes peel roofs right off of homes.
In these instances, a full roof replacement may be a necessity. Storm damage is often covered by your homeowner’s insurance. A reputable local roofing contractor that is familiar with the claims process can help you get the repairs you deserve under the terms of your policy.
Cost of Roof Repairs and Replacements
When it comes to residential roof repairs and replacements, there are both direct and indirect costs. A minor leak repair might be completed for a couple hundred dollars, while a complete tear-off and roof replacement will run in the thousands.
Fortunately, homeowners often recover a significant part of their investment when they sell. The 2017 Cost vs. Value Report from Remodeling magazine calculates that a homeowner in the Middle Atlantic region recoups, on average, 69.9 percent of the cost of a full roof replacement.
There are indirect costs to consider, too, including the cost of doing nothing. There are also potential savings. For example, a better-insulated roof, or a new roof with highly reflective granules, might reduce your utility bills.
Enjoy the peace of mind a new roof provides now, and get some of your investment back if the time comes to sell. Those that finance a new roof at today’s modest interest rates benefit in multiple ways.
For example, a brand-new roof gives you something stop-gap repairs can’t — a generous manufacturer’s warranty. You’ll find that GAF offers some of the longest and most comprehensive warranties in the business, particularly when you use a GAF-certified roofing contractor like CRS.
Reasons to Hire a Professional
When costs are a concern, there’s the temptation to “do-it-yourself.” However, with DIY roof repairs, a single miscalculation could lead to other roofing problems or personal injury. Roofing work is more complex and dangerous than most other home improvement services, even for contractors.
DIYers also face the challenge of understanding permitting and building codes. In a worst-case scenario, you could face an unpleasant visit by a local building inspector that proves costly.
It goes without saying that your roof protects your valuable investment in your home and its contents. Even a well-meaning DIYer could make errors that lead to substantial leaks or even catastrophic roof failure. When it comes to your roof, invest in professional residential roofing services.
Important Steps to Take
Whatever your roofing issue, always do these three things for the best results:
- Act promptly.
- Use a reputable, local contractor with the backing of a major manufacturer.
- Commit to periodic roof inspections.
Although it is human nature to procrastinate, delays in dealing with roofing issues can dramatically escalate the cost to resolve them. Aging roofs present special challenges — they are often more susceptible to leaks and wind damage.
Contact Us Today
Since 1977, CRS has proudly served homeowners in the New Jersey area. Over the years, we have established a reputation for doing value-priced, high-quality work. Learn why so many others have used CRS, and why GAF designated us as a certified Master-Elite Roofer. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary visit by a certified roof inspector.
