Roof Repair vs. Roof Replace
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever. As much as business owners would like the roof of their commercial building to last forever, it just is not reasonable. Over time, external factors can cause damage to the roof, or the roof simply could not have been properly maintained. When this happens, business owners are forced to make a critical decision. Do they repair or replace the roof?
Once you’ve noticed problems occurring, you have to weigh the pros and cons of both repairing and replacing your commercial roof. Other than cost, what else should you be considering in your decision?
During your decision-making process, ask yourself these four questions.
- How much damage is there?
- Where is the damage and how does it affect the building?
- Are we looking for a short-term or long-term fix?
- Will business processes be interrupted by the work?
How much damage is there?
The first thing you should do when weighing your options is to find out the extent of the damage. Is the damage limited to only a small area of the roof or the majority of the roof? A good rule of thumb is that if the roof is more than 25% damaged, you’re better off replacing it.
Where is the damage?
When you’re inspecting the damage to the roof, it’s important to take into consideration where the damage is located. Is it over an area that is critical for business operations? Is it over an expensive piece of manufacturing equipment? You should also note if you’ve had damage to the same area before. If the same area continues to get damaged, you may want to consider a full replacement.
Short-term vs. Long-term Fix
If you’re looking to sell your commercial building within the next two years and can properly repair the roof to meet code inspections, then a roof repair is the route you should take. On the other hand, if you are looking for a long-term fix with all the latest and best technologies, then a full replacement is the right move.
Your budget can also play a huge role in your decision. Maybe you need more time to budget for a full replacement. If that’s the case, then a repair would make the most sense for your business.
Will work operations be interrupted?
If it’s a busy time of year for your business you may want to consider pushing off any roof replacements until a less busy time and just go with a maintenance repair. Generally speaking, a roof repair requires less downtime than a full roof replacement.
If you’ve noticed damage to your commercial roof and need help deciding if a roof repair or a roof replacement is the right decision, call the professionals at Elite Roofing Services. We will come out and inspect your roof and give you an estimate for both a repair and replacement, for free.
Contact us today at 813-630-0800 or visit our website.