Can Homeowners Repair Part of a Roof?
It's tough to justify a complete roof repair if only a portion of the roof has been damaged due to a windstorm, hail, or a fallen tree.
It's tough to justify a complete roof repair if only a portion of the roof has been damaged due to a windstorm, hail, or a fallen tree. Is it possible to replace only a portion of the roof, or is it an all-or-nothing proposal? It depends on the severity and scope of the damage.
Consider the following scenarios:
A Few Shingles Need to Be Replaced
Losing just a few shingles during a hurricane is generally not a cause for concern. It is vital to get an expert to inspect the roof as quickly as possible. Some missing, curled, or damaged shingles shouldn't be a reason to worry.
The contractor would determine the extent of the damage to the roof's underlayment or decking. If the underlayment and decking are in excellent shape, workers can replace a few shingles where the previous ones vanished.
Contacting a contractor as soon as possible is crucial. The longer the roof's shingles are absent, the more damage the underlayment will suffer. Once damaged, repairs become considerably more expensive.
Can Damaged Areas of a Roof Be Patched?
If damage is concentrated in only one or two small areas rather than just a few shingles and it is limited to less than half of the roof, repairs may be possible.
Mending the roof is possible if there isn't significant water damage. Matching roof color might be difficult, especially if the current shingles have been weathered. The patch may be visible because achieving an excellent match may be challenging. However, patching could be the way to go if saving money and maintaining the roof's functionality is the goal.
What If Half of the Roof Is Damaged?
If half or more of the roof is destroyed, it is usually in the best financial interest to re-proof the entire home.
Reroofing only half of a house can present challenges, as the two portions of the roof would be of differing ages. Roof repair will be harder in the future since roofing half of a house is more challenging and costly than roofing a whole house. Matching the two parts of a roof for a half-roof repair is difficult, and aligning both portions if the house is to be sold is challenging.
Insurance Only Covers a Portion of Roof Repair
Feeling stuck is common if insurance only covers a portion of the roof repair. If a contractor recommends an entirely new roof, but insurance only covers a partial restoration, it is difficult to know what to do.
One possibility is to use the insurance money to cover as much as possible and pay for the remainder out-of-pocket. Although it may not seem ideal, fixing the complete roof is a far better alternative for the home's general well-being.
Since most insurance policies won't cover the cost of a new roof due to general wear and tear, utilizing their coverage for a portion of the total roof repair would save money in the long run.
Cost of Replacing Just a Part of a Roof
Most individuals choose a partial roof repair, believing it will be less expensive. In reality, repairing half of the roof rather than the complete roof would generally cost more money per square foot.
Hiring a contractor to do the work is feasible if the roof only needs a few shingles changed or minor patches.
However, if more than half of the roof needs repair, it is in the best financial interest to re-proof the entire house. Reroofing provides the highest quality, color consistency, and performance and is the most cost-effective option.
Bottom Line
The roof shields from the elements throughout the year, keeping occupants warm and dry. The roof's lifetime may vary depending on the materials used, the environment, and maintenance, but no roof is invincible. It will ultimately need repair or replacement, whether due to a fallen tree or storm damage.
