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If you’ve heard people talking about a re roofing job – you might be a bit confused as to exactly what it means. While it obviously involved some sort of roof maintenance or reconstruction job – you still might be wondering exactly what a re-roofing job entails. If that situation sounds similar to one you’re in – and you’ve got concerns about your own roof – don’t worry. You’re in the right place.

In this article, we’re going to have a look at re-roofing so we can answer the question for you. We’re also going to have a look at how re-roofing compares to a few other alternatives, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your roof.

Having a leaky or otherwise damaged roof can be a stressful time. Not only is your roof an integral part of the structure of your home – it’s also one that protects you from a lot of adverse conditions. And it’s usually expensive to fix. But there’s one way to fix your roof that isn’t as expensive as you might think – and that’s re-roofing. So, let’s have a look…

So what does re roofing mean?

While “re-roofing” might sound like a generic term for getting your roof replaced – it isn’t. It’s a specific procedure. Actually replacing a roof can be extremely expensive and time consuming, but re-roofing can get good results at a fraction of the price.

Re-roofing involves laying a set of new shingles over an existing set of (often damaged) ones. Since you don’t have to tear off and replace the existing roof – it’s a lot cheaper. And a lot quicker.

There’s one important point to remember with re-roofing: you can only do it once. You can’t lay a layer of shingles onto an already re-roofed roof. So if your property has been re-roofed before – you’ll probably have to consider another option. And that normally means tearing off your existing roof and starting again.

However, if you’ve not had your roof re-laid like this before – then re-roofing is a viable cost-effective option to fix your roof damage.

What other options are there for roof repair?

• Unless you can fix the problem internally with a bit of spot-fixing – like plugging  a leak, there’s really only one other option for a complete roof repair. And that’s a roof replacement. Roof replacement involves tearing off your original roof and laying a completely new one down. It’s expensive, and will often take longer.

• Even though cost might put you off a complete roof replacement – it’s still a good option if you can afford it. You see, it might cost a lot – but it could actually add value to your property in the long run. That doesn’t normally happen with a simple re-roofing job. In fact, some experts say a re-laid roof actually devalues a home slightly.

• One other benefit of a complete roof replacement is that once the old roof has been torn off, professionals get to inspect the entire base for the roof and spot any other problems. Another reason people choose to replace the entire roof is longevity. Your torn off and replaced roof will last many years longer than re-roofing, which is often seen as a quick fix.

When is re-roofing the right option?

You’re probably wondering why anyone would choose re-roofing if it devalues your home and doesn’t last as long – but there are times when it can be the right option.

• Firstly, it doesn’t always devalue your home. It depends on the location and a while host of other market factors. If you’re not looking to sell anytime soon – this might be of little concern. And the small hit your home value might take can easily be recovered within a few months in a growing property market.

• The main reason people go for re-roofing is cost. It’s the cheapest option – and this is important if you haven’t got the money for a completely new roof. Also, if the damage to your roof is minimal in the first place, it might be a bit of a waste to pay for a completely new one. Re-roofing is a great option for fixing minor issues and adding a good few years to your roof so you can do the tear-off a few years down the line.

• If you’ve just got a couple of small leaks or a bit of damage to some of the shingles, re-roofing is almost the perfect option. As well as being cheap – it’s also much quicker. So if time is important and you’re looking to get your roof fixed quickly – re-roofing it is.

When isn’t re-roofing a good idea?

• As we’ve already looked at – the number one reason re-roofing might not be right for your property is if it has been done before. You can’t re-roof an already re-roofed property – so you’re probably going to be looking at getting a completely new roof in that situation. There are also a few other reasons re-roofing might not be for you.

• If you (or a local roofing professional) think there are extensive issues underneath the shingles (like sagging of the roof structure) – this can only really be fixed by tearing off and addressing the problem. Actually, another layer of shingles adds weight to the roof and could make the problem even worse.

• Re-roofing isn’t really a good idea if you’re only fixing a portion of the roof. It’s better for an overall re-roofing cover. That’s because it’ll make some parts of the roof thicker than others if you don’t cover the whole area – this isn’t a good idea.

Hopefully, you’re now a bit more clued up on what re-roofing really means and if it’s right for your property. While there are a few drawbacks to re-roofing – it’s still a viable option for those concerned about cost and speed, or if you’ve only got minor issues with your roof and just want a quick fix.