Guide
Repair or replace the roof?
Not every leak means a new roof, and not every repair is money well spent. Here is how to tell which way your roof is heading.
Signs to look for
Usually repairable
- A leak traced to one source: a vent boot, a nail pop, flashing at a wall or chimney
- Wind damage to a small area of an otherwise sound roof
- Clogged valleys or gutters backing water up under the shingles
- Ice-dam leaks on a roof in good condition, where the fix is insulation and ventilation
Usually time to replace
- Granule loss, curling and cracking across whole slopes
- Repeated leaks in different places, or the same leak coming back after repairs
- Soft or sagging decking, or daylight visible from the attic
- Two or more layers of shingles already on the roof
- A worn-out flat roof over a porch or rear section that holds water
Older houses, several layers
On houses as old as many in Clifton, the roof you see may not be the only one. Overlays were common, and a second layer adds weight, traps heat and hides the deck. Once a roof has two or more layers, the state's rehabilitation subcode requires them to come off before new roof covering is installed (N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.4(e)7), so putting a new roof on means a full tear-off.
Chimneys are the other common source of leaks on older homes. Sometimes the shingles are fine and the problem is cracked mortar, a failed crown or old flashing. Ask the contractor to show you exactly where water is getting in before you decide.
On the call
Questions to ask the contractor
- What exactly is failing, and can you show me photos?
- How many layers are on the roof now?
- How many years does the roof have if it is repaired?
- What would a repair cost, and what would a replacement cost?
- Is the attic ventilation part of the problem?
Questions
Repair or replace: common questions
Is a 20-year-old roof worth repairing?
It depends on the condition, not only the age. A sound roof with one problem may be worth fixing. A roof worn all over usually is not. Ask the contractor for an honest estimate of how many years are left.
Can I patch a leak now and replace the roof later?
Often, yes, if the patch is a real repair and not hiding a wider problem. It is reasonable to ask for a repair price and a replacement price at the same visit.
Are ice dams a reason to replace the roof?
Not on their own. Ice dams usually come from heat escaping into the attic and refreezing at the eaves. Insulation and ventilation fix the cause. If the roof is being replaced anyway, an ice barrier at the eaves and better ventilation are worth asking about.
Repair or new roof?
Talk to a Clifton-area roofing contractor
Call and you are put through to an independent roofing contractor that works in Clifton, Nutley, Little Falls, Woodland Park and Wayne. Tell them what you have noticed and ask them to inspect the roof and price the work, whether that turns out to be a repair or a new roof.
A leak to track down or a roof to replace? Talk to a local roofing contractor.
You are connected with an independent roofing contractor that works in Clifton and nearby towns.
Call (973) 913-7876Calls may be recorded. Read the referral disclosure and the privacy policy.