Roof Leak Repairs info for Homeowners and Business in Galveston & Houston Metro Areas

Do You have a Leaking Roof? What you should ASAP?

If your roof is damaged for any reason, it's smart to photograph the damage right away. Having a visual record of the damage is important when you make an insurance claim. You'll also want this documentation if the damage resulted from a tree that isn't on your property. Roof repair costs can vary greatly depending on the type of roofing and the extent of the damage. Here are some basic cost guidelines:

• Typical roof repair expenses
• Rules of thumb for roof repair costs

Typical roof repair expenses

• To repair roof damage from a fallen tree branch, you can expect to pay under $500 to replace damaged shingles. Roof repair costs will rise if roof sheathing and underlayment also require replacement.
• To replace missing or broken asphalt shingles, a contractor will usually charge under $150.
• Replacing the flashing around a chimney or skylight can usually be done for $500 or less. Copper flashing is more expensive than aluminum.

Roof repair vs. roof replacement

"I'm not sure whether to go ahead with roof repairs or simply to replace my roof. What should I do?"

That's a good question, and a very common one. Spot repairs can certainly be a good short-term solution, but at a certain point, it makes more sense to replace a roof than to continue spending money on roof repairs. Here are some factors that can help you decide whether to replace your roof or continue with spot repairs.

• Evaluate the overall condition of the roof. A roof with a shallow pitch and major solar exposure will weather faster than a steep-pitched roof that stays shaded from the sun. Depending on the design and orientation of your home's roof, one part may wear out faster than another. If your roofing is in good condition in some areas but not in others, you can save money by replacing the worn areas only.
• Check your roof sheathing. If you can see the roof sheathing from inside your attic, it's worth a trip into the attic to check the condition of the sheathing. Sometimes roof shingles in fair to good condition can hide rotted roof sheathing that is ready to give way the next time someone walks on the roof. If more than a quarter of your roof sheathing is damaged by mold or rot, roof replacement is the smarter option. Your roofing contractor can (and should) replace rotted sheathing prior to installing the new roofing.
• Step down from a high-end roof. Many homeowners choose to replace expensive roofs finished with slate or tile with less-expensive asphalt shingles. Making this switch eliminates pricey repair work on expensive roofing in the future.www.GAFroofTX.com