Roof restoration or replacement?

It can be a big decision to make the decision to restore your roof or replace it.

Cost implications are an obvious concern, but there are other practicalities to think about, such as what material to choose and whether you need to move while the job is done. In terms of decision, unless you have large sections of damaged roof, you probably want to repair what you can. If you're renovating a top repairman, have a really old leaky roof, or your roof has been badly damaged during a storm, then replacement is probably the best option.

Whatever your decision, a faulty roof can cause serious structural damage to your home and can even lead to expensive repairs. If water gets into the home, it can also cause moisture and mold to adhere, which could lead to all kinds of health problems - not something you need to deal with!

Let's take a look at each option in more detail

Replace or repair your roof?

If you want to change your roofing material or if your roof is beyond repair, a complete roof replacement is necessary. If you are expanding your home, it may be worth replacing the entire roof to maintain continuity throughout your home, although this is not required.

If your roof is generally in good condition, you may be able to save a lot of money by repairing the areas that need special attention. Remember, though, that doing too many one-off repairs can make your ceiling look like a patchwork of uneven areas and it can look pretty unsightly - not that you see it very often.

What is roof restoration?

Roof restoration involves the repair of damaged roofs and may include:

• Coating of ridges and pediments
• Replacement of mosaics
• Pressure cleaning
• Elimination of fungus or mold
• Apply a waterproof sealer
• Gutter repair
• Apply a roof membrane
• Replacement flashing
• Replacement of individual shingles or sheets

For a shingle roof, you may need to replace individual shingles or trim and reposition the ridge shingles. In the case of a metal roof, a leak is repaired or an entire sheet of roof sheeting may be required to be replaced. The surface is then normally cleaned, sealed, and repainted.

What roof should I choose?

If you are replacing your entire roof, it is worth finding out what other materials are available. There could be a cheaper, quieter, and more attractive option than your current roof. The most common roofing materials are:

Metal or steel roofing, also known as Colorbond. It is a very durable, fire resistant material and can be painted in any number of colors. It should also come with a warranty of at least 25 years. If you want to know how to choose the right colorbond roofing colour, contact us today!

With the tile roofs you have a wide variety of terracotta, concrete or slate. All of these are fireproof, making them a good choice in areas prone to wildfires. Concrete tiles are extremely durable and should last at least 50 years. Slate is also extremely durable and will not fade, crack or discolor and can last over a century if installed properly. It is ideal to use when you want your ceiling to be a feature.

Which roof is the most profitable?

In terms of price, concrete tiles are the cheapest, followed by steel with clay / stone tiles at the higher end of the scale. Compared to shingles, metal roofs are more affordable to install and easier to maintain. However, there are also aesthetic factors to consider when choosing your roofing material.

To get a rough idea of ​​the cost, you can expect to pay between $ 80 and $ 110 per square foot for the removal and disposal of your old roof and a new replacement. To remove and replace your roof (for an average size 3-bedroom family home), expect to pay in the region of:

• $ 6,000 to $ 10,000 to replace an existing metal skill roof with Colorbond
• $ 20,000 to replace existing tiles with Colorbond
• $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 to replace an existing fiber cement roof with Colorbond

Factors that will affect the total cost of your roofing work include:

• Access to your roof and / or property
• The height and slope of your ceiling
• The size of your roof

Hire a roofer

Replacing and repairing the roof is not an easy DIY project; in fact, it can be really dangerous. Hiring a professional is advisable, and in many cases you need to use a licensed roofer. In NSW there are a variety of licenses your dealer may have, including roofing and siding, roofing plumbing, shingles or roof tiles. When it comes to hiring a roofer in Newcastle, make sure they are right for your job. Some questions to ask include:

• Are you licensed?
• Do you have valid insurance?
• Can you provide a written quote?
• How long is the warranty on your materials?
• Do you have references I can follow?

And no matter the size of your roofing job, always ask for a detailed quote.

Get quotes for roof replacement

The easiest way to get an accurate idea of ​​your roof replacement or restoration costs is to get quotes from at least 3 roofing contractors in your local area or get quotes from local roof repairmen. Roofing repairmen can give more accurate quotes if they have more details to go on, but they may have to go to a site to give an accurate quote. This will give you an idea of ​​what the market rates are currently. You can then compare them by reputation, experience, and price. Contact Amazing Roof Restoration today!

Why Is Insurance Likely Not to Cover Roof Damage?

 

Changing a roof can be prohibitively expensive for many homeowners is especially large, or has a complicated shape or slope.

In the event of a storm or a tree fall, one would expect home insurance to cover basic roof damage. However, your insurance company may deny coverage precisely because roof replacement is one of the most expensive repairs.

Warning # 1: your roof is too old

You can assume that your home insurance will cover roof damage in the event of fire or theft and, in most cases, that is a reasonable assumption. However, the roof coverage may not apply if the roof is deemed to be “too old”.

In most cases, a roof will be considered too old if it is 20 years or older, as this is the lifespan of most tile roofs. The roof can also count as too old if one of the bottom layers is 20 years old and had a new roof layer added on top instead of paying for a full replacement.

Why is it like this? Simply put, an insurance company doesn't want to pay full price to replace a roof that was likely near the end of its amortizing life expectancy, regardless of whether it was damaged.

As an alternative to not providing coverage, your insurance company may pay for the repair, but not the replacement. Also, they can pay for the roof replacement at its actual cash value, taking into account depreciation rather than the original value. If this happens, you will have to pay the rest of the replacement bill.

Warning # 2: the damage was your fault

Home insurance generally covers roof damage in extraordinary situations that are beyond your control. However, it is highly unlikely that roof damage will be covered if the insurance company can reasonably blame you for a roof malfunction.

One of the most common cases in which roof damage can be considered "your fault" is if you have a roof leak, due to normal wear and tear. For example, if a shingle came loose from the roof, and the underlayment was exposed to rain, but you never fixed the problem, your insurance may not cover the water damage. From a company perspective, you should have called in a professional roofer to inspect and perform maintenance on your roof.

Your insurance company may also refuse to cover roof damage if you try to do a minor roof repair and it ends up making the situation worse. For example, some roof tiles are delicate and can break or fall off when stepped on, or you can try to reattach a tile and cause a leak by puncturing the roof in the wrong place. Since you caused or aggravated the damage directly instead of calling a qualified roofing professional, you will be responsible for paying for the roof repair or replacement.

Warning # 3: Roofing Material Is Too Great a Financial Risk to Cover

The ultimate goal of an insurance company is to make money, so they generally don't want to cover roofing materials that are very expensive, easily damaged, or both. Plank roofs are a particularly high risk because they cost a good amount of money, have a similar or shorter lifespan than tile roofs, and burn easily. Wood roofs are not covered by many companies at all, as they are prone to fire and water damage. If you have a wooden roof, be sure to do your research before committing to an insurance policy.

Metal roofs, while fire resistant, are also quite expensive to replace and can easily dent from hail. Slate stone ceilings are luxurious but heavy and expensive to install. With these types of roofs, insurance companies may tend to dismiss the damage as a "cosmetic" issue so they don't have to replace the more expensive roofing materials. Also, they may charge a premium for coverage on a more expensive roof.

On the other hand, insurance companies often reward homeowners with impact- or wind-resistant roofs with better coverage and other incentives, as these roofs reduce the chance that they will have to pay for damage caused by hail and windstorms.

Warning # 4: the risk that caused the damage is excluded or not covered by the policy

It is always a good idea to review your home insurance policy very thoroughly. In doing so, you must understand what types of damages or "risks" are included and excluded from the policy. Remember, once you sign the policy, you have agreed to the terms including the roof coverage exclusions.

These are some of the risks that, in general, are included in a home insurance policy:

• Home fire, wildfire and smoke
• Ray
• Explosion
• Volcanic eruption
• Electrical overload
• Damage from a vehicle or plane
• Crimes such as theft, vandalism, riots, etc.
• Falling objects, such as a tree branch
• Large accumulation of snow, ice, or sleet
• Freezing, bursting, or overflowing pipes, a sprinkler system, or other appliance
• Some water damage, not including flooding
• Wind
• Hail

It should be noted that many insurance companies are discontinuing policies with hail and windstorm damage coverage due to the high cost associated with these damages and their widespread nature. Hail doesn't just affect one home, it affects all homes in an area, which can lead to a large volume of very expensive claims after just one storm. Check if this is excluded from your specific policy.

In contrast, your policy almost never covers these types of damages:

• Flood
• Earth movement, such as earthquakes, landslides, landslides or sinkholes, except in some states
• Most fungi and molds except in certain cases
• Pest infestation
• Sewer overflow
• War or government action
• Nuclear explosion or leak

In cases where your home insurance does not cover certain damages, you may want to purchase an additional policy, such as a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program, or inquire about an extension of your home insurance policy.

What if the insurance company refuses to pay your legitimate claim?

If your roof has been damaged and you believe this is covered by your policy, but your insurance company does not pay your claim, it may be best for you to seek the help of an attorney. An attorney can help gather evidence and create a case to make the claim and, in the best case, get the repair or replacement you are owed.