You’ve heard about a car tune-up, but what about a roof tune-up? What is it, and who benefits from it?
A roof tune-up helps to extend the lifespan of an older asphalt roof. In general, folks with an asphalt roof that is 15 years or older should be considering a tune-up, especially if they aren’t sure they can afford a roof replacement just yet. It’s also a good idea to have a tune-up if you’re trying to sell your home, as the tune-up can be a very inexpensive way to a) demonstrate the roof is sound and b) help your home pass an inspection.
What do you do during a roofing tune-up?
It all starts with an intensive inspection. This helps us pinpoint any problems with your roof. We’ll then quote the tune-up price, which generally ranges between $500 and $900.
Tune-up repairs are generally minor. We take care of nail pops and secure loose shingles. We secure loose flashing and replace missing shingles. We might take care of other small problems that your roof may be experiencing.
We’ll also tell you when a “tune-up” isn’t going to get the job done. Sometimes, you really will need to start talking about serious repairs. Sometimes, you just have to bite the bullet and get a new roof, too.
Why are we only talking about asphalt roofs here?
In general, metal roofing does not need “tune-ups.” Metal roofing is the closest thing you can get to purchasing a “fix it and forget it” roof. As for tile roofs, they don’t generally have nail pops or loose shingles. You do get cracked shingles after storms sometimes, but if that happens you should be getting those tiles replaced pretty much immediately. Both roofs also last much, much longer than asphalt roofs do and present fewer problems. Thus, when it’s time to replace a tile or metal roof it’s generally just time to replace the thing. By then, you’ve gotten 30, 50, or even 100 years of life out of your roof, and you should be more or less prepared to make your replacement.
Will a tune-up extend the life of my roof?
Possibly. If you’ve been taking pretty good care of your roof all along you might get a few more bonus years out of it. It’s more likely you’ll make the most out of the final years of your roof’s lifespan while you save up enough to replace your roof—a figure that will no longer be mysterious, as you can have the new roofing estimate done at the same time. You can even get precise figures on what it will take to upgrade to a tile or metal roof so you are less likely to have to deal with this ever again in your lifetime.
You’ll also gain some peace of mind about your older roof. No more worrying, fretting, and guessing. You’ll know exactly what is going on up there. That’s a huge advantage because it allows you to be strategic about home maintenance costs in the future.
Is your asphalt roof over 15 years old? Call Done Rite Roofing for an inspection and tune-up today.
Image credit: Susanne Bauernfeind