Historical roofing systems can have a lifespan of more than 100 years. The trouble is nothing lasts forever, and even clay tile or slate roofs face inevitable deterioration and damage. When this occurs, it’s necessary to quickly address the issue to protect and preserve not only the roof, but the historical significance and longevity of the entire historic property and everything within the property.
The type of materials used and a structure’s unique architectural design can complicate the decision of whether a property needs a roof repair or a roof replacement. Here, we’ll look at the factors you should weigh when deciding which is right for your historic property, and how our expert team of roof restoration specialists can help you preserve your building.
What’s involved in a roof repair or replacement?
Roof repairs are exactly that — addressing minor damage like damaged or missing shingles, slates, or tiles on an isolated area of the roof. Roof repairs are often a quick option that helps extend your roof’s lifespan, but it can be a challenge to match the colors of shingles or other materials used in the original roof construction.
With a roof replacement, the entire roof is stripped off and a new roof is installed, ensuring everything from the shingles to the slate or tile is in perfect condition. While roof replacements take considerably more time and money than simple repairs, they can increase the curb appeal and value of your property for years to come.
How to tell if a historic roof needs repairs
There are several key signs that your historic roof is in need of repairs. While some of these indicators are obvious to the eye, others require a high degree of skill, experience, and craftsmanship to diagnose. Some of the more apparent signs that your historic property needs roof repairs include:
- Damaged shingles. Whether from a storm or simply age, dented, missing, or broken shingles are a sign that repairs are needed, as this could also indicate that other areas of your roof that are less visible — like the flashings and tile — are also damaged and need repair.
- Water leaks. One of the most obvious signs is if you notice any water damage and leaks inside your property, which could be caused by cracks and holes in your roof.
- Sagging. From the exterior, a sagging roof is a clear indication that repairs are immediately needed. Whether from too many layers of shingles, water damage, or excess weight on the roof, any sagging indicates the roof structure is weakened and should be addressed.
- Blocked or clogged gutters and downspouts. Gutters and downspouts are critical for protecting not just your roof, but the entire historic property. If you’re noticing the gutters are blocked or water is leaking, it’s important to have a professional address these issues and make the necessary repairs. Blocked gutters can lead to not just leaks in your roof, but the standing water can cause roofing materials to rot, leading to more damage.
How to decide whether your roof needs a full replacement
When you discover damage to your historic roof, you’ll have to decide if it should be repaired or completely replaced. While you don’t want to tear it all off and start over if minor repairs will get the job done, you also don’t want to address an isolated area of damage only to find out weeks or months later that the problems run deeper than you initially thought. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when considering a full roof replacement:
- The extent or severity of the damage. If you notice a few damaged shingles or a small section of the roof is affected, the economical option might be for repairs. However, if there’s extensive damage, a replacement is the best way to ensure that all problem areas are addressed — including the underlying issues that caused the damage in the first place.
- Type of roof. There are certain historic roofing materials that can last for more than 100 years when properly maintained, meaning it’s often more logical to repair instead of replace. If there’s structural damage, a complete replacement is often recommended to ensure all issues are addressed. This is also the case with some shingles depending on the material, as replacing them individually won’t necessarily extend the lifespan of the entire roof and can lead to additional problems in the future.
- Budget. Cost is an important factor, and while you might assume repairs are always a more affordable option, that’s not necessarily the case. While replacing a handful of shingles isn’t as costly as replacing the entire structure, there may be underlying issues that are discovered that will require more extensive work.
What to look for in a historic roofing contractor for either repair or replacement
There are unique challenges when it comes to repairing, restoring, and replacing historic roofs. This is why you need to choose a historic restoration team with the experience and high level of craftsmanship to repair or replace a wide range of historic roofing types. What’s more, you want to prioritize a contractor who can combine state-of-the-art technology and the proper materials with the kind of skill and expertise to restore your property and ensure it lasts for decades to come.
Renaissance Historic Exteriors is a nationally recognized contractor with more than three decades of historic restoration experience. Our restoration specialists are fluent in working with a variety of historic roofing materials, from clay tile to slate to metal. With an emphasis on historical accuracy and expert craftsmanship, we can diagnose your roof and create a repair or replacement plan to quickly restore your property to its original glory.
Contact us today to get started!
