Let’s face it. Some roofs just can’t be repaired, but chances are, your commercial or residential roof may be salvageable. Or it may have to be completely replaced… Here’s how to tell whether your roof is repairable or if you need to consider a roof replacement.

Roof repair is generally the recommended route because in all honesty, we don’t want our clients to spend more than they actually need to and go through an unnecessary process. Insert Next Phase Roofing. We assess the property (for free) and make recommendations based on our trusted expertise, here are a few reasons we’ll advise a repair over a replacement:

Roof holes or cracks. You shouldn’t need sunscreen inside your own home. If you can see the sunlight pouring through your roof and it’s not through a skylight, it could be time to get your roof checked. A nice trick is closing all of your blinds and turning off all the lights during the daytime to make sure it’s actually the sun’s rays peeking through your roof and not some light mirage.
Heating or cooling bills increase A LOT. This could be a warning sign that your HVAC system is working too hard to keep up with lost energy creeping out of your roof. This increase will be noticeable, and far surpass the average costs to keep your home warm during the frigid winters or cool during sweltering summers. When in doubt, get it checked out.
Damaged shingles. Oklahoma weather is savage. Hail, tornadoes, rain…you name it, Oklahoma’s experienced it. If the shingles on your roof are discolored, peeling or all together missing, a repair could be the difference between repairing and replacement.
Leaking roof. Water dripping through the ceiling or damp spots along the ceiling are not hard to spot, but if they are not addressed – they could cause bigger issues like mildew and mold. The earlier these leaks are addressed and assessed, the better.
Peeled paint along the roofline. When moisture builds up along the roof, the paint peels or fades. Similar to Damaged shingles, discoloration along the roofline is cause for concern and not a natural progression
Water infiltration. Water seepage or infiltration throughout the roofing system will destroy the roof from the inside out. Moisture on flat roofs will travel throughout the insulation and eventually find its way through a screw hole or lap in the roof deck.

Issues like water infiltration can be isolated with Next Phase Roofing’s thermal imaging camera, non-destructive moisture detection tools and fully confirmed via a roofing core into the locations showing moisture readings. This enables us to pinpoint the exact location of the leaks and do a much more cost effective repair that isolates the problem, solves it and preserves the life of the roof.

Often during the repair process we will locate wind or hail damage that has been on the property that qualifies the roof for an insurance funded replacement. If damage goes unclaimed past the timeframe set by the insurance they could refuse to cover the damage, making it extremely important to report damage ASAP. Don’t worry, we can help you do that.

Roof replacement is obviously a last resort option; however, upgrading your roof means more energy efficiency which means lower heating and cooling bills, 20+ years guaranteed roofing longevity and something money can’t buy, ease of mind. Here are some things that we consider before recommending a new roof to clients:

Old Roof. Is the roof 20+ years or older? While some things get better with age unlike a quality bourbon, roofs over 20 years old are often in need of a facelift or a whole new face.
Saggy roof. Does your roof buckle, bend or droop? Roofs aren’t supposed to do that. When a roof starts to lose structural integrity, it’s a sign to look into a replacement.
Missing shingles. If your roof is missing shingles over different areas of the roof beyond one localized location, it’s most likely beyond repair.
Damaged flashing. Flashing is the connection between the roof and the chimney which causes the seal around the chimney. While flashing can last up to 30 years, if it rusts or cracks, it can cause water seepage into the home or business.

If you’re noticing any of the occurrences above, don’t freak out! It’s as simple as contacting Next Phase for a free assessment, we’ll inspect the property and send you recommendations that you can then use to submit a claim to your insurance company. Worried about the claim being denied? Don’t. We’ve worked with 1000s of clients to help them get their claim approved and the work done.