A roof protects your home from the elements, properly ventilates it to save you money, adds beauty, and keeps limbs, leaves, and other debris outside where they belong. But what happens when you delay your roof replacement project? If you are thinking about delaying your roof replacement project, there are reasons you should reconsider.
The Dangers of an Aging Roof
If your roof is older, it has been repeatedly exposed to changing weather conditions. Wisconsin weather is harsh. Years of wind, rain, sleet, snow, high temperatures, freezing temperatures, and constant ultraviolet light (UV) will eventually cause shingles to become brittle and break. Being brittle means that strong winds can blow them away, leaving your home exposed.
Once shingles are missing, your home becomes vulnerable to interior damage because the elements can then penetrate into your home. A leaking roof can ruin your ceiling, walls, insulation, floors, and belongings. It can also create unhealthy living conditions due to mold. But, most alarming, your home’s structural integrity can be at risk.
An aging roof can lead to damages that add up to far more money than it would cost to replace. Though replacing a roof may feel like an uncomfortable chunk of money to spend all at once, you will save much more due to energy loss and costly repairs in the long run while still needing a new roof.
The Downside of an Aging Roof
As roofs age, they need more repairs. These repairs can be costly and may be required on a more frequent basis. But roof repair is just one of the downsides to an aging roof. Listed below are a few of the risks of having an aging roof:
- Energy Efficiency is Decreased: Older roofs do not provide the same insulation level or proper ventilation as newer roofs. Utility costs are expensive, and you may be currently losing money through your roof.
- Structural damage: As mentioned above, a roof in poor condition allows water to leak into your home and cause damage. A whole host of expensive problems can be avoided by replacing your aging roof.
- Safety hazards: Older roofs are more prone to collapsing, allowing debris to fall into your home, and that can injure your family.
- Depreciation: The value of your home decreases and becomes less desirable to potential home buyers if the roof is older.
- Aesthetically Unpleasing: As a roof ages, it can become an eyesore. An unattractive, ill-maintained roof could be a problem, not only for you but for your homeowner’s association as well.
A new roof can eliminate all of these issues. Rather than facing the above-mentioned challenges and wasting money on repairs to an older roof that will need to be replaced anyway, you should consider replacing your current one. Though the upfront cost may be unappealing, you will save money by attending to your home’s maintenance as soon as possible.
How Insurance Companies Feel About Roofs
If your roof is damaged or in poor shape, your insurance company may cancel your policy or require your roof to be replaced before they continue coverage on your home. The risk of damage from an old roof can be significant, and insurance companies want to dodge big, avoidable damage claims. They do that by requiring you to get a new roof to continue coverage or for them to write new policies.
On a positive note, some insurance companies offer discounts to their clients who replace their old roofs. A new roof reduces potential liability for them and benefits the homeowner simultaneously. Check with your insurance carrier to see if discounts for a new roof could apply to your homeowner’s policy.
Why Waiting to Replace Your Aging Roof is a Bad Idea
No one is thrilled to open their wallet when it comes to big home maintenance purchases. But, as building material costs and labor costs continue to rise, replacing your roof later will almost certainly cost more than it does today. By replacing your roof now, you avoid paying more for it in the future.
If you are considering roof repairs rather than replacement on an older roof, you should realize that you will have to do repairs again and again. This cost can add up, especially considering it fails to address the problem that causes it to need repairing in the first place. It cannot be stressed enough that you will still need a new roof, probably soon, if you are making repairs now.
The longer you wait to replace your roof, the more you are at risk for more extensive and costly damages. Combined with the increased price to replace it due to inflation, you will always be better off handling this home maintenance issue sooner than later.
Maintaining Your Home
Homeownership requires a lot of responsibility, and staying on top of home maintenance is the best way to secure your biggest investment. Since your roof protects everything and everyone in your home, it must be in good shape. If your roof has problems, the rest of the house will also. Saving money by avoiding maintenance will undoubtedly cost you more money in the future.
The home you have worked hard to establish, your belongings inside, and the people who live there are at risk if you ignore a roof that needs replacing. Think of it as preventive maintenance. If your roof is old and has yet to start causing problems, replace it before it does.
If your roof is already becoming a headache, you can end many problems by staying on top of home maintenance and replacing it. You will benefit because your house will be more energy efficient, safer, and more attractive.
Contact Us for All of Your Roofing Needs
At L.H. Krueger and Son, Inc., we can help you to protect your home’s exterior and interior. Reach out today so that we can determine your needs and educate you about your options. If you choose us to replace your roof, we will replace it with proper ventilation and quality materials. Our expert team is ready to help!
