“Can I afford to get my roof replaced right now?”
“I don’t see any interior damage, maybe I could wait a bit longer?”
These are common questions you might ask yourself when you know it is time for a roof replacement.
You may find yourself weighing the immediate costs of the replacement against the potential risks associated with delaying a roofing project. It’s a delicate balance that requires careful consideration of both short-term expenses and the long-term well-being of your home.
As a leader in the Grand Strand area, Linta Roofing has helped customers rectify roof issues for the last 38 years. While a roof replacement is not always the solution, we find that our customers don’t always know the implications of stalling a roof replacement when it is due.
After reading this article you will understand the issues that can arise from waiting to replace your roof and you will know how to avoid the costs associated with waiting.
The 3 reasons you shouldn’t stall on your roof replacement are as follows:
- Signs of an aging roof may also indicate interior damage
- Waiting on your roof replacement may negatively impact your homeowner’s insurance
- There are costly repercussions to delaying your roof replacement
1. Signs of An Aging Roof May Also Indicate Interior Damage
What does it mean to have an “aging” roof?
At around 15-20 years, wear and tear from the weather will become more noticeable. This can come in the form of streaks on your roof, moss or algae growth, excessive rock granular in your gutter, and more. In some cases, these signs may indicate a more serious issue with the interior of your roof.
For example, an old roof is more likely to have leaks if there is rain or an extreme weather event. When you wait for a roof replacement, exterior roof damage can quickly become interior damage. In this event, you may need to have a roof replacement, drywall replacement, and interior repairs.
Interior damage can affect everything from walls to cabinets, to your flooring. This could turn a simple roof replacement into a comprehensive renovation project.
If your shingle roof is 15 years old or older, you are close to the timeframe when most homeowners should replace their roof.
Not only is the quality of your roof compromised by wear and tear, but your insurance is also negatively affected when your roof surpasses a certain age.
2. Waiting on Your Roof Replacement May Negatively Impact Your Homeowner’s Insurance
Older roofs are considered a liability by your insurance company. Not only will your premium go up, but you could also end up in a situation where your homeowners’ insurance is threatening to drop you completely.
Insurance carriers usually consider a roof that is 15 years or older to be a large liability. When they become aware that a roof is old, they usually increase the premium significantly. They may even require that the homeowner replace the roof to keep their coverage.
Time pressure could impact your ability to hire a reputable contractor. While this is a big investment decision to make quickly, you may find peace of mind in hiring a roofing company with financing options. This way you don’t have to wait any longer to fix the damage on your roof and you will pay a lower insurance premium on a new roof.
3. There are Costly Repercussions to Delaying Your Roof Replacement
If you are waiting for a roof replacement, you will likely end up with a larger bill later on.
Roofing material prices keep rising. It is unlikely they will ever go down.
Many are surprised to learn that in just 6 months, your roofing project can cost you hundreds, even thousands more. Whenever there is a storm, there is a high demand for roofing materials. Similar to anything else, this high demand will increase material costs. For the last 2 years, the roofing industry has seen at least an 8% increase in materials per quarter.
It is better to be ahead of the curve. Instead of waiting for a storm to potentially cause further damage, taking proactive steps to initiate a replacement now will result in long-term cost savings.
When Should You Have Your Roof Replaced?
If your roof is 15 years old or older a roof replacement is likely in your near future. As frustrating as it is now, it could be a bigger hassle for you later on.
Now that you know the dangers of waiting for a roof replacement, an important next step is to call a trustworthy roofing company to inspect your roof.
A roof replacement is a costly expense. If you are still concerned about the cost of your roofing project, it may help to be in the know about the top factors that impact the cost of a roof replacement.
If you are local to the Myrtle Beach area, we at Linta Roofing are happy to extend our financing options to you. Whatever you choose to do, you are now equipped with the knowledge you need to move forward on your roof replacement with confidence.
Jeffrey Linta
Jeffrey Linta is a 3rd generation roofer who grew up working in his family's roofing business (Linta Roofing, Inc.). He got his start tearing off roofs during the summer while attending North Myrtle Beach High School. Now running one of the most successful roofing businesses in the Grand Strand area, Jeffrey has lived and breathed roofing for his entire working career. Some of his accolades include GAF Master Elite Contractor, SC Safehome certified contractor, Group 5 SC Licensed Commercial Contractor, and GAF Master Commercial roofing contractor. Under his leadership, Linta Roofing, Inc. has served thousands of homeowners and business owners in the Grand Strand area. Linta Roofing achieved awards like the Sun News’s “Best of the Beach” and A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau all while receiving hundreds of 5-star reviews year after year. Jeffrey is a Grand Strand born and raised local. When he is not running Linta Roofing, he spends time fishing with his wife Erica and walking the beach with his dog Dixie.
