Depending on the extent of the damage to your old roof, you may be better off having it replaced instead of paying for frequent repairs over the remaining years of its lifespan. However, you should know that unexpected factors can also happen as you tear off the old materials and install new ones. To prevent delays to your project, your budget should include a contingency that will cover hidden damage that must be addressed before installing your new roof.
Some of the common yet unexpected factors that affect your roof replacement cost include:
Damaged Plywood and Decking
Over time, weather deterioration and hidden water leaks that seeped into the roof may cause rot and other damage to some of the wooden components. Rot will often appear first on plywood and decking layers since they’re just under the surface materials. If this type of damage is found while removing old materials, it shouldn’t be kept intact because it may also affect your newly installed roof. This can also void the manufacturer’s warranty, which is why they must be replaced before installing the newer materials.
It may add up to your roofing budget, but it’s better in the long run to replace the rotten components before proceeding with the installation.
Non-Compliant Roof
During the pre-replacement inspection, your hired contractors will check the roof to identify and address any issues they may find. If you have an old roof, they’ll also check if it’s still up to code. Building codes are issued by your municipality so that the local structure meets the safety standards. But these are frequently updated to keep up with the times, so if a roof is already a few decades old, it will most likely have changed since then. Fortunately, the hired roofer usually takes care of the process of bringing it up to code as part of the job, although this may cost extra for your project.
Structural Deterioration
As the workers tear off the old materials, they might find signs of deterioration and decay in some parts of the inner structure. This is usually indicative of a hidden water leak somewhere in the system as well as other factors, such as pest infestation, termite damage, mold and mildew. Many of these issues can be hard to determine and may only appear once all the old materials are cleared from the surface. To prevent further damage to the rafters, trusses and other structural components that are still intact, repairs must be made as soon as possible before proceeding with the installation.
In addition to siding installations, Twin Cities Siding and Roofing also specializes in roof repairs and replacements. Count on our team to install the best roof not only for your home, but for your local climate. Call us at (651) 967-0873, or fill out our online contact form to get started. We serve customers in and around St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN.
