As a local Kitchener roofing contractor, one of the most common questions we’re asked during an inspection is: can I repair just a part of my roof? If only one part (or half) of your roof is showing signs of damage — a few missing shingles, a small leak in the right half of your home — can you only repair or replace that portion of the roof?
In this blog, we’ll walk through some of these common roof repair and replacement questions, and specifically answer whether a Kitchener roofing contractor like Quality Care will agree to repair one part of your roof.
Can I Repair Just a Part of My Roof?
Yes, you can repair just a part (or half) of your roof if the damage is limited to that spot.
However, just because you can repair only a part of your roof doesn’t mean you should. It depends on what the problem is and the age of your roof.
We recommend a professional roof inspection to evaluate the overall health of your roof before a patch-up — we offer a free roof inspection and estimate for Kitchener-Waterloo homeowners!
Some homeowners are intent on repairing a smaller portion of their roof, rather than the whole roof, because it’s cheaper. While a patch-up is less costly than a full repair or roof replacement, constant patch-ups may be more costly and less effective in the long-run.
If there are other underlying issues with your roof, simple patch-ups will not be able to resolve it. This leaves your home vulnerable to water damage, and even structural deterioration over time.
Can I Replace Just a Part of My Roof?
Yes, you can replace just a part of your roof, but it’s not always recommended. Even if you replace a portion of your roof, you will still need a full replacement when the rest of your roof meets its lifespan.
For example, imagine you get part of your roof replaced when the rest of your roof is 10 years old. If the roof has a lifespan of 20 years, in 10 years time, you will be getting another full roof replacement. While you can replace only the older portions and keep the newer part of the roof intact, you’ll end up paying for replacements every 10 years, instead of a replacement every 20 years.
There is also the risk of material mismatch if the person replacing your roof doesn’t have the same materials. Even if they do use the same exact shingle, shingles become discoloured over time and lose vibrance, meaning the new shingles are bound to look slightly off from the rest of the roof.
Common Reasons Homeowners Repair Part of Their Roof
Below are a few common reasons homeowners repair or replace part of their roof, rather than the whole thing.
- To fix a leak in one specific section of the roof.
- To replace or repair shingles that are missing, damaged, or were blown off one side of the roof.
- To fix damaged or lifted flashing.
- To fix ice dam damage which is isolated at the edges of the roof.
- To fix visible signs of wear and tear and preserve the roof’s appearance.
When to Repair and Replace the Whole Roof
Many Kitchener-Waterloo homeowners mistakenly opt for partial repairs and replacements when a full repair and replacement would have been a better and more cost-effective choice in the long-run. To ensure you don’t make this same mistake, here’s a few indicators that you need to repair or replace your whole roof:
- Your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan (usually 15-20 years).
- You’ve experienced leaks in various parts of your house.
- There are problems under the roof’s surface, such as water damage, rotting, and mold.
- You want to maintain your roof’s aesthetic appeal.
- You want to maintain your home’s resale value.
- There are problems in an area that was already patched-up. You should never patch-up the same part of your roof more than once.
Get a professional opinion by reaching out to Kitchener-Waterloo’s leading roofing contractor — Quality Care Roofing. We offer unbeatable warranties because we believe in our skilled workmanship and quality materials! With a 5-star average on Google Reviews, we have the experience and credibility to back it up.