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Should You do a Roof Repair or Roof Replacement?

Your roof's health is vital to the safety of your home's structure. Roof repairs and roof replacements are never fun to think about, but one or both will have to be done at some point of being a homeowner.

Roofs in bad condition often cause problems like leaks, pest infestations, mold, mildew, higher heating and cooling bills, and could even hinder resale. But when a storm hits that cause unexpected roof damage or you see normal wear-and-tear, it's time to take action.

Identifying roof damage is usually very easy to spot, but there are instances where the problem is not always visible, like when the damage is under the exterior of your roof. In that case, it will take the trained eye of a roofing contractor to spot any problem areas.

If you think you have roof damage, here are a few things to look out for:

Broken or missing shingles
Nail pops
Leaks around vents or flashing
Granule loss
Punctures or holes
Clogged gutters
Mold or moss
A sagging roof
Water stains on the ceilings or walls

If you notice any of those problems, it's time to call a licensed roofing contractor to inspect your roof and determine if you need a roof repair or a roof replacement. Making the right decision is key to minimizing near and long-term home improvement costs.

When To Do a Roof Repair

Roof repairs are typically done on mild roof damage. A roof repair can restore your roofing system and extend the life of an older roof.

If the damage is done to a small section of the roof and is just replacing some damaged, torn, or missing shingles, it's relatively simple and inexpensive.

It's cheaper to pay for roof repairs than a replacement. In addition, there are materials on your roof that don't last as long as your roof system does. So making minor repairs when needed is cheaper and can extend the life of your roof. However, you might not be able to find the right shingles to match your roof. Be sure your contractor can help you match it as closely as possible to not ruin any curb appeal your home has.

Even if the damage seems easy enough to DIY, it's always better to hire a qualified roofing company, like accentroofinggroup.com, to ensure it's properly fixed. Roof repair is highly specialized, and it takes a knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled contractor to do it properly.

When To Do a Roof Replacement

Roof replacement is typically done on moderate to major roof damage. And any type of roof damage should never be ignored. What may have started as minor damage could turn into significant damage if left unrepaired.

While more expensive upfront, a new roof can save money in the long run by avoiding multiple repairs or additional damage. And your homeowner's insurance may cover the costs!

When your roof is damaged by severe weather, like tornadoes, hail, and wind, your insurance coverage will determine whether your roof gets repaired or replaced.

A roof replacement fixes the entire roof and requires the contractor to strip everything to uncover the deck before installing the new roof. In addition, it may involve repairs to the sheathing, rafters, and trusses. It addresses all roofing problems, even the ones hidden underneath the shingles.

Although more expensive, a new roof will offer you peace of mind, up your home's curb appeal, and increase energy efficiency.

Roof Repair Vs. Roof Replacement: Things to Consider

As much as you may want to do roof repairs over a replacement, there are some things to consider to help you make that decision. Nothing is worse than getting some repairs done to only find out it didn’t fix the problem!

Consider The Age of Your Roof

All roofing material has a lifespan. For example, asphalt roofing shingles typically last 15-30 years. In comparison, clay roof tiles can last up to 100 years, and metal roofing materials 40-70 years. As your roof gets closer to its lifespan, it will deteriorate or show signs of aging. At this point, it is more cost-effective to replace your roof than to pay for repairs repeatedly.

Signs of an old roof:

Shingles are curling or buckling
Shingles are bald
Shingles are missing
The roof is sagging
Moss is covering your roof
Blistering shingles
Granules are in your gutters

Consider The Condition of Your Roof

Next, consider the condition of your roof. Minor damage like a few missing shingles might be as easy as a repair, but if a tree fell on your roof, causing holes, you might need a roof replacement.

Think of it this way, if the minor damage covers less than 30% of your roof, you might only need a roof repair. However, remember that not all damage is visible.

If you see water stains inside your home on the ceiling or walls, it could mean you have a leaky roof. Finding the source of that leak can be tricky, but it's essential to find it fast and have it fixed. Small leaks can eventually lead to more significant problems like mold, rotting, damaged ceilings, or damaged insulation.

Consider The Location of Your Home

Do you live in an area- like Raymore, Missouri- susceptible to hail, strong winds, or tornadoes? If so, it is essential to replace missing shingles or other roofing materials after each storm. Waiting to repair minor damages could end up causing significant damages in the future or during the next storm.

Consider How Long Will You Be In Your Home

If you have already repaired your roof and plan to stay in it another 15 years, then do a roof inspection. Have a roofing contractor inspect, give you a report, and then get on a regular maintenance plan to ensure you get the full life out of your roof without wasting money.

But if you are planning to sell your home and it's showing signs of damage or age, you might have a hard time selling. Installing a new roof would help curb appeal for your neighborhood and would be an investment to increase your home value.

Consider If You Have a Visible Insurance Claim

Roof replacements can be costly. Depending on the size of your roof, the damage, and your location, the price for replacement can be staggering. While that might deter some people from even having a roof inspection done, the damage might be covered by your homeowner's insurance policy.

Most people don't even file a claim, but our customers have peace of mind when hiring us for roofing solutions. When you work with Accent Roofing Group, we help navigate the complicated process of filing a complete and comprehensive insurance claim. We use the same software as most insurance carriers, so we speak their language and calculate damages the same way they do.

Are You Ready For A Roof Repair or Roof Replacement?

If you are ready for a roof repair or replacement, the first thing you need is a roof inspection from a contractor you can trust.

Accent Roofing Group specializes in roof repairs and roof replacements in suburbs around Kansas City- Raymore, Independence, Belton, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, Olathe, Shawnee, Lenexa, and Spring Hill- helping homeowners file insurance claims when acceptable.

Regardless of your stage in the roofing process, accentroofinggroup.com can help.

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Getting A New Roof? Consider These 4 Things

02 Sep, 2022

Summer in Kansas City is hot and humid, and the weather fluctuations can do more damage to your roof than you might think. Your roof is one of the most critical components of your home, but it's also one that gets neglected until problems arise. That's why summer is an essential time for roof maintenance. Ensure your roof is operating efficiently. Take a short break from your summer activities and follow our roof maintenance tips. Tip 1: Be Mindful During Rainstorms. Perform a Roof Inspection. Kansas City might go through weeks of no rain, but when that rain does hit, make it a habit of watching for leaks in your home. Summer rainstorms are the perfect time to check for weak spots that allow water to drip through your roof. Check your attic, ceilings, and walls for wet or discolored areas. You can also perform a roof inspection on your roof. A DIY roof inspection should be done using proper gear. Make sure you wear shoes that grip, gloves (because it could be hot), and any other protective clothing you might need. Always have someone hold the ladder you climb, and never climb up on the roof when you are home by yourself. And if you are like many homeowners who don't want to do a DIY roof inspection, call your local roofing contractor to come and inspect your roof and follow up with the needed roof maintenance work. A roof inspection and maintenance will check the following: Check the Eaves for Debris & Nests Once on the roof, you will look under the eaves for debris- such as leaves, sticks, or nests. If you find any debris, clean it up. Be careful of insects and birds as they like to nest in open areas in your eaves. Rodents, insects, and birds' nests can cause many roof problems. For example, bird droppings are acidic and damage shingles over time. In addition, roof rats, squirrels, or raccoons can burrow through your roof and chew through your electrical insulation. And bats can squeeze into the tiniest openings and roost in your attic. When you spot an open space in your eaves, repair them quickly. Check for Shingle Damage Check for loose, torn, dented, or missing shingles. Shingles are exposed to various elements daily and can become worn down or torn off over time. Damaged shingles make your home's interior vulnerable to water seepage and rot. If you find any damaged shingles, call a local roofing contractor for a bid on your next steps for roof repair or replacement . Check the Roof's Flashing Check the roof's flashing. The flashing is the thin material that directs water flow away from critical areas. They are installed to surround vents, chimneys, and skylights. If the flashing is loose, it can cause water leaks when not replaced. If you find cracked or loose flashing, it's essential to replace or repair them right away. Loose flashing can be screwed back onto the framing to resecure it to your roof. Small holes or cracks can be repaired by cutting some flashing larger than the hole or crack and securing it with roof cement. Note: We recommend contacting a roofing expert for roof repair services. Check Your Vents Good ventilation guarantees the balance of air circulating in the house. And it prevents roof materials from reaching high temperatures. So, check your vents. You can do this by checking your utility bill for any increase not related to seasonal changes. A steady increase could mean you have issues with your ventilation system. You will also want to visit your roof and attic to check the vents and metal stripping. Replace any damaged metal stripping to prevent leaks. And it can improve roof ventilation! Check Your Skylight Not all homes have skylights, but if your home has them, they should be checked from the roof several times during the summer. A hail storm could damage the glass or even leave a crack that you can't see from inside the home. You will also want to check the metal stripping around it to ensure it's not leaking. If you see cracks or damaged glass on the skylight, call your local roofing contractor to replace it. And in the meantime, it might be worth covering with a tarp until repaired or replaced. Tip 2: Clean the Gutters No matter what season, gutters should be inspected and cleaned. Gutters and drains direct water away from your home. If they are clogged with leaves and other debris, the excess water may be left sitting on your roof. And that stagnant water will eventually soak through your roof and into your ceiling and walls, putting your home at risk of water damage and mold. Structural damage is something that no homeowner wants to deal with, so take the time to check your gutters before the next big storm. First, check the gutters and drains around your house, and realign and tighten all the bolts. Then, clean out the gutters, drains, and downspouts. On the next rain, check to see that everything is flowing correctly. Or, you can run a hose through the gutter system to check for correct flow. Tip 3: Trim Troublesome Trees You may have trimmed your trees in the spring or fall, but don't stop in the summer. Look at your landscape and check for branches leaning on your roof or within 6 feet of your roof. Tree branches can scratch and gouge your roofing materials or, worse, fall on your home. Trim any troublesome tree branches that are getting too close. Tip 4: Be Aware of Mold, Moss, or Algae Guess what thrives in Kansas City's humid summer days? Mold, moss, and algae. Inspect your home's interior and exterior. When temperatures and humidity increase, mold can spread faster. Check walls, ceilings, and the attic for mold. Look for any discoloration like large black or white spots or off-colored wood. And on your roof, you might find moss or algae. Moss and algae can lead to roof decay. Regular roof checks in the summer can help prevent the accumulation of these microorganisms. If you see any signs of moss or algae on your roof, you will want to treat it as soon as possible. While using a power washer might seem great, the wrong tip or spraying too close can clean off the granules which protect your shingles from the sun. A better option would be to spray eco-friendly cleaning compounds. Or have copper or zinc strips installed on your roof as a natural prevention. Ask For Help From Roofing Professionals Roof maintenance is not a fun summer activity, but it is essential to avoid roof-related issues in the future. Hiring roofing professionals to perform regular maintenance can prevent problems from developing, too. Are you looking for roofing maintenance in the Kansas City metro area? That's where we come in. At Accent Roofing Group , we have provided high-quality roofing services to homeowners in Kansas City, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Mission, Olathe, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, Raytown, Raymore, Bonner Springs, Spring Hill, and Lee's Summit. We are licensed, bonded, and insured with an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau (BBB). When you work with us , you will never have to worry about your roof again. Don’t worry…we’ve got you covered.

The Best Tips for Roof Maintenance in the Summer

17 Aug, 2022

How to Know If Your Roofing Contractor Did a Bad Job

22 Jul, 2022

Homeowners are in charge of the repairs and maintenance of their homes. Some maintenance and repair projects are minor, some are special DIY projects, and others require professional input. Roof replacements and installations are one type of home repair that requires some professional experience. Unfortunately, not all roofing professionals provide quality work. Sometimes, roofing contractors incorrectly install roofing systems, which can lead to many problems. Asphalt shingle roofs have a lifespan of 15-30 years. If you had a roof installed and a year or two later are already having problems, you might want to consider that your roofing contractor did a bad job. A new roof might look perfect at first, but the imperfections from a poorly installed roof will begin to show after a year or so. Here are common signs of a bad roofing job to look for to safeguard your investment. 7 Signs of a Bad Roofing Job Your Roof Doesn't Look Uniform. Your Roof Has Damaged or Missing Shingles. Your Roof Has the Wrong Nails, or the Roofing Contractor Used an Improper Nailing Technique. Your Roofer Didn't Check the Roof Decking Before Installing the New Roof. Your Roof is Missing Important Roofing Components. Your Roof's Layers Were Completed in the Wrong Order. Your Roof is Already Leaking. Learn more about each sign of a bad roofing job below. 1. Your Roof Doesn't Look Uniform. A new roof installation or roof replacement should have your roof looking fantastic, and it should all look the same. You don't even need to get on your roof to check this. You can look at each side of your roof from the ground to ensure it all looks the same. If one side looks different, you had a bad roofing job. A roof that is not uniform might have sagging rooflines, mismatched shingles, or reused flashing. Therefore, checking for uniformity after a roof installation or replacement is essential to catching mistakes that must be fixed. What's a Sagging Roofline Look Like? Sagging rooflines will curve or dip. However, a properly installed roofline will always be completely straight and even in appearance. If you notice your roofline is sagging, it could mean you have issues with framing or roof deck rot. Why are Mismatched Shingles Bad? Mismatched shingles are typically different in color. Mismatched shingles are bad because it typically means that your roofer ran out of your preferred material and just used what they had instead of ordering more. Don't be afraid to speak up and tell them you noticed and want that changed! Don't Reuse Flashing. Flashing is the thin piece of sheet metal installed on your roof that prevents water leaks into your home. Expert roofing contractors know that the nails installed in your new roof won't always go through the old holes in the reused flashing. So the only way to ensure you won't have leaks is to replace old flashing with new flashing. Besides, a new roof should mean all new materials. So don't let a bad roofing contractor skimp on costs. Your Old Vents Weren't Replaced with New Vents. Roof vents help your home breathe. Breathing, also known as circulation, helps prevent moisture from collecting, which, if it accumulates, can result in mold or rot. When you have your roof replaced, don't use old roof vents because, just like your flashing, the nails in the roof vents might not line up with the old holes, which can lead to leaks. 2. Your Roof Has Damaged or Missing Shingles. Time and weather can cause shingles to go missing or be damaged. A few lost or damaged shingles do not indicate that you need a new roof, especially if you had it replaced within a few years. Damaged or missing shingles come with time and general wear and tear and should not be present following a roofing job. If, after a minor storm , you already have missing or damaged shingles and your neighbor's roof did not, you likely had a bad roofing job. 3. Your Roof Has the Wrong Nails, or the Roofing Contractor Used an Improper Nailing Technique. Nails are just as important as all other roofing components. The wrong nails could lead to your roof leaking. Depending on the roofing material, your nails will differ in type, grade, and size. And just as important is the nail technique, which is how the nail is driven into the roofing material. An over-driven nail will cut into the shingle, which increases the risk of leaks. An under-driven nail won't penetrate through to the deck, increasing the risk of leaks or even missing shingles. And a nail that is driven crooked will increase the chances of damaged shingles or leaks. Bottom line: the wrong nail or the wrong technique could result in your roof le aking. 4. Your Roofer Didn't Check the Roof Decking Before Installing the New Roof. The roof decking is your roof's foundation; if it's damaged, you can guarantee that you have a roof leak. Every component of a roof is attached to your roof deck. Time and weather, like all things, can eventually compromise the decking. An experienced roofer will check the integrity of the decking and make necessary repairs before installing your new roof. 5. Your Roof is Missing Important Roofing Components. Your roof is more than shingles and nails. The proper hardware works together to ensure a healthy, uniform, leak-proof roof. Roofing components impact the integrity of your roof. Whether the roofing contractor uses the wrong materials or doesn't use them will lead to a premature aging roof or could cause other structural problems. A Missing Drip Edge A drip edge is the metal sheeting installed on your roof to protect the board beneath it. Drip edges keep the water moving in the right direction. A good roofing contractor will install a drip edge between the shingles and the underlayment to ensure your home's structural support stays intact and prevents water leaks. A bad roofing contractor won't install a drip edge. A missing drip edge makes your roof susceptible to mold, flooding, stains, and soil erosion on your foundation. A Missing Underlayment A roofing underlayment is a felt-like material installed below your shingles and above your roof decking. The underlayment helps create waterproofing for your roof system. In addition, it ensures that your shingles work efficiently and keep your home water-free. A missing underlayment makes your roof deteriorate faster, and you will have to replace it before the average lifespan is up. Missing Starter Strips A roof replacement should always be done with an underlying starter layer of adhesive strips. Without starter strips, you have to install shingles directly to the frame, leaving your roof susceptible to wind and other elements. Shingles could blow off just a few months or years into the roof's lifespan without starter strips. 6. Your Roof's Layers Were Completed in the Wrong Order. As you see, your roof is more than just shingles. This is because so many components go into your roofing system. Of course, each part is essential, but what's also important is the order each layer is added. Every roofing contractor expert knows the order of each layer necessary for a successful roof installation. To add one layer out of order could compromise your entire roof and the overall protection it's supposed to provide. 7. Your Roof is Already Leaking. Water leaks in your home are never good. Over time they can hurt the structure of your home. For example, water leaks can cause your roof deck to rot, leading to dangerous breakages or collapses. An easy way to check if you have water leaks is to check for stains on your roof. Stains are dark in color and can be spotted on your roof or attic. Multiple stains across your roof likely mean you need to install a brand-new roof. Even if you have had a new roof installed and it looks great, it's important to do periodic roof checks to ensure it was correctly installed and has no leaks. Avoid A Bad Roofing Job & Hire an Expert Roofing Contractor Finding a roofing contractor expert in your area is crucial to ensuring your investment stays an investment and not a catastrophe. Accent Roofing Group is your local expert roofing contractor who has provided high-quality roofing services to homeowners in Kansas City since 2015. We work in all neighborhoods throughout the metro like Overland Park, Prairie Village, Mission, Olathe, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, Raytown, Raymore, Blue Springs, Liberty, and Lee's Summit. We are licensed, bonded, and insured with an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau (BBB). When you work with us , you will never have to worry about your roof again.