Your roofing system is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. As such, you can expect it to sustain some wear and tear over time. This means that it’s vital that you have your roof maintained regularly, scheduling repairs as needed. However, not all roofing damage can be spotted by the naked eye. Therefore, you might find a few surprises in your roof that can affect your roofing budget.
1. Inadequate Decking – To perform work on your roof, your roofing contractor will first need to walk on its surface. Once they do this, one of the roofing surprises that they’ll often experience is that the decking is springy or bouncy. If this happens, they may need to install a new sheathing on your roof. This is because if the deck is springy or bouncy, it means that your roof deck isn’t thick enough. It will have to be replaced immediately to prevent future roofing damage.
2. Rotten Decking – Rotten decking is another common roofing surprise that you may come across when you’re having some work on your roof done. Unlike other forms of damage, rotten decking can only be seen once you’ve torn off your old shingles for replacement. This can affect your current budget because once roofers spot the rotten deck, they cannot leave it in place and will have to replace it first before installing your new roof. Otherwise, the structural integrity of your roof will be compromised, which can also lead to damage to other parts of your home.
3. Drainage Problems – Another issue that may come as a surprise to homeowners such as yourself is drainage problems with your roof. This is because you may not be able to immediately spot the debris that is clogging your gutter system, leaving it unattended and resulting in a blocked drainage system. This can be a problem for your roof as such drainage issues can allow water to pond on the surface of your roof, creating leaks that can encourage mold growth and rotten decks as well as extra weight that can cause your roof to sag or even collapse. Most drainage issues can be fixed with a few repairs but sometimes a complete gutter replacement may be required when the problem is too extensive, resulting in added expense for you.
4. Storm Damage Issues – The true extent of the damage caused to your roof by storms isn’t always apparent right away. This is why it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected by a professional roofing contractor after a bad storm hits your area. Repairing problems when they first develop is generally cheaper than waiting for them to worsen.
How to Avoid Roofing Surprises
Luckily for homeowners, it is possible to prevent your roofing system from suffering these kinds of issues. One way you can do so is by having the roof inspected on a regular basis. In fact, it’s best that you have your roof inspected twice a year; once in the fall after the hot weather has subsided and the other during the spring season, once the snow and ice of winter has thawed out.
During an inspection, your roofers will check every part of your roof such as the roof covering, flashing, skylights, chimney and other roof penetrations as well as the general structure of your roofing system. That way, all bases are covered and they won’t leave any damage unattended. If needed, you may also aid them in the inspection and maintenance processes by giving them the proper roofing documents as well as the records of the previous maintenance work done on your roof.
By having your roof regularly inspected and maintained, your contractors can immediately spot and repair any issues that the system has sustained before they become major problems.
How Much You Can Expect to Spend
If you want to be able to properly budget your roofing maintenance plans, it’s best that you know how much you can expect to spend. Often, the costs usually depend on the scope of the damage that your roof sustained but you can expect anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a thousand. For instance, if you need to have your roof’s plywood sheathing replaced, the thicker the replacement plywood is, the more costly the project can be.
According to experts, you can typically expect to spend up to $100 for each sheath of plywood that you need to have installed. And depending on how much your roofing company charges for labor, it’s possible that the surprise problem of having to get your old sheathing replaced can add a few thousand dollars to your project, affecting your budget by a significant amount as a result.
If you opt for a replacement instead, this price range can also skyrocket significantly. As such, it’s best that you first consult a roofing professional like Lask Exterior Services, LLC about what would be the right course of action for your roof. That way, you can make an informed decision and properly budget your finances to accommodate your roofing needs while making the most of your investment.
Make your search for expert roofers easier by turning to Lask Exterior Services, LLC. We have many years of roofing experience, and we are dedicated to providing each individual customer with only the best service. When it comes to roof replacement and maintenance projects, we are the leading service provider to approach and you can count on us! Give us a call at (815) 964-2220 or fill out our contact form to get a FREE quote. We serve homeowners in Rockford, IL, and other nearby areas.