Home and Garden: Explore your options with a leaky roof

Submitted by Gowan Roofing

You’re sitting in the living room one evening, unwinding after a long day at work. Suddenly, you feel a drip of water on your arm. You look up and see it for the first time — you have a leak. Panic sets in. What is a new roof going to cost me? How am I going to afford it?

Take a breath, and slow down. You might not need an entirely new roof. What you need is an assessment from a professional. Here’s what they’ll be looking for:

How old is the roof? — So, how long has your current roof been in place? The average lifespan of a well-installed roof is between 20-30 years. If you’re on the back end of that figure, you’re going to be in the market for a new one sooner rather than later. If you’re on the front end of that figure, repairing the damaged section might be a better option.

Where are the leaks and how large are they? — OK, finding where the water is inside your home is the easy part. Tracing it back to the source of the issue can be more tricky. There is a lot of space and material between your roof and that drip in your living room. There’s insulation, framing, wiring and a number of other things between your roof and your living room that don’t react well to water.

Tracing the leak back to its source, and assessing the damage along the path will go a long way toward helping you understand the scope of the issue.

How bad is the damage? — You can stand in the front yard and learn a few things about your roof. It can look old, and there might be moss growing in between the shingles. That’s not ideal, but it’s better than actual structural damage — like missing shingles or obvious signs of decay for the roof itself. These things are best spotted on the roof, which is where that trained professional comes in.

Life in Eastern North Carolina — Missing shingles in a place that is frequently visited by hurricanes is a no-no for the long term health of your roof. Replacing those will help reduce the chances of future leaks the next time Mother Nature drops a ton of rain on our heads.

What would a replacement cost? — Ultimately, cost is a huge factor in deciding whether to repair or replace your roof. Repairs will obviously be cheaper, but if you’re making a series of them over the course of a few years, you may have been better off replacing the roof.

Having a roofer you can trust can help you navigate the process. So, get a bucket for that leak, and pick up the phone.

Gowan Roofing exists to serve our clients and community with the utmost integrity and professionalism by creating a relationship of trust and accountability. You can reach them at 919-600-8478