Your garage roof protects your valuable items, vehicle, and tools from the harsh outside elements. As it’s an integral part of your garage, the decision to replace or repair the roof isn’t difficult in most cases. But what if your garage roof is in bad shape, but your house roof has a couple of years left? Prematurely replacing the garage roof can mean missing out on a great deal when you replace the garage and house roof together. Find out when it’s best to repair or replace your detached garage roof.
How to Know Whether to Replace or Repair
In a lot of ways, your garage roof is very much like the roof on your house. It serves an identical purpose, and it’s most likely built out of the same roofing material. Since we’re focusing on detached garage roofs in this article, there are some specific aspects to consider when it comes to repair or replace.
It’s common for detached garage roofs to have an entirely different roof structure and pitch than the rest of the house. These factors can have a significant impact on whether you need to replace or repair your garage roof. Moreover, it will also play a big role in determining the overall cost of the roofing project.
- Flat Roofs — For flat-roofed garages, reroofing is often the best option. You can have this done for a lot less money than what high-pitch garage owners would pay. But if the repair area is large and you don’t plan on replacing the roof on your house for the next few years, it’s better to replace the entire garage roof. Why is this the best decision? Because flat roofs have a shorter lifespan and last for about ten years.
- High-pitched Garage Roofs — Higher pitched, and A-frame roofs are more common in colder climates, as they excel in keeping snow off the roof. They’re also more expensive to replace and more difficult to repair. But, since a high-pitch roof can last much longer, if you have the budget to replace it alongside the roof on your house, it’s a good idea to do so.
In some cases, it simply doesn’t pay off to repair the damage and try to prolong your garage roof’s life. If you’ve found yourself in such a situation, make sure to read one of our previous posts where we covered everything you need to know before you replace a garage roof.
How to Extend the Life of Your Garage Roof
If you’ve decided that the best decision would be to repair your garage roof, there are a few things you can do to extend its life until the time comes for a complete replacement. The specific maintenance procedure you’ll use will depend on the type of roofing material installed on your garage. Our tips:
- Get the roof inspected every year.
- Keep snow and ice away from the roof.
- Remove any moss or mold you find on your garage roof.
- Remove debris from the roof.
Importance of Timely Garage Roof Repair
To ensure your garage roof is always in proper condition, you should inspect it along with the roof on your house. We recommend performing regular roof checks at least once a year. Roof checks can extend your roof’s life and save you money. When deciding between roof repair or replacement, knowing what signs you should look for is a crucial step in the process. If you notice any of the following signs, your garage roof might need urgent repair or replacement:
- Cracking and Curling — If some of the shingles on your garage roof are cracked or curled, you should replace them without delay.
- Exposed Nails — Any nails left exposed on your roof will start to rust and lead to a leaky garage roof. If you have rusty exposed nails on multiple spots all over your garage’s roof, it might be best to replace the entire roof.
- Missing Granules — It’s natural for asphalt roofs to lose granules over time. Still, with proper maintenance and repairs, this process can be kept in check.
- Wind Damage — If you live in an area prone to strong wind, such as Florida, your shingles can get loosened and lifted during severe storms.
- Hail Damage — Hailstone can knock granules off your roof’s surface, and in extreme cases, even puncture the shingles. If you suspect this happened to your garage roof, don’t hesitate to call a licensed roofer for an inspection.
Remember that small roof issues can turn into larger ones if you don’t act on them promptly. It’s vital to mitigate the damage as soon as you notice it. A small roof repair project doesn’t cost nearly as much as a roof replacement. A simple solution can prolong your roof’s expected life.
DIY Garage Roof Repair or Hire a Roofing Contractor?
Roofs are too important to make decisions about them without much thought and planning. Making the right choice for your roof will help protect your valuable belongings and your pocketbook. Consider all of your options before you decide to do anything to your garage roof.
Performing DIY roof inspections and repairs can lead to even further garage roof damage. It can also put you at risk of injury. That’s why it’s better to leave this process to licensed and experienced contractors.
A professional and reliable roofing company can be your most valuable partner. They can advise you what is best to do in each particular situation. Professional roofers also provide homeowners with invaluable advice on preventative and maintenance measures for the roof.
If you’re considering whether you need to repair or replace your garage roof, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact us today at 813-373-9088. Or fill out our quick online form, and we’ll get back to you immediately.
