Spring in the Pacific Northwest is always a wonderful time. We start seeing more sun, wave goodbye to the cloudy, rainy (and sometimes, weirdly snowy) fall and winter months, and get great views of snow-capped mountains, and the fire season is still months away. It’s no wonder that spring and early summer are popular times for home improvement projects, and if you’re a homeowner in the Vancouver, WA area (or anywhere else in the greater Portland region), something you should give serious thought to is repairing or replacing your roof.
In this article, we’ll look at four things:
- Reasons you should consider repairing your roof
- Telltale signs that your roof is in need of repair or replacement
- Different options for replacement roof materials
- How you can find reliable roof repair in Vancouver, WA
1. Why Repair Your Roof in Vancouver, WA?
There are tons of reasons to want a fresh roof, whether you’re in Vancouver or anywhere else in the country (or the world, actually). Some of them are specific to the climate of the Vancouver area, but others are more universal.
- Energy efficiency. Older roofs may not be made of the most modern materials, and even if they don’t have any water leaks, they may have smaller holes that leak air, which makes it more expensive to heat or cool your home.
- Home value. If you intend to sell your home anytime soon, a new roof will be something you can mention as a selling point. It will also make your home look nicer, which helps attract buyers.
- Family health. Older roofs, even ones that look fine, can harbor unwanted tenants like mold and mildew underneath their shingles. This is especially true in a wet environment like Vancouver, WA. Mold and mildew are dangerous to have in the home, and catching them before they set in is key.
2. How Can You Tell If Your Roof Needs to Be Repaired or Replaced?
There are some telltale signs that you should be in the market for a new roof this summer.
- Your roof is getting old. Depending on the materials involved, roofs have a lifetime as short as 15 years and as long as 25, though few roofs last the full life span. A roof that was properly installed and has had regular maintenance over the years will probably last 20. If your roof is approaching that age, it’s never a bad idea to hire a professional to have it inspected.
- You can see sunlight or water damage. If inside your attic you can see dark spots (indicating water damage) or visible sunlight (meaning holes), then you absolutely need to have those problems fixed ASAP.
- You can see sagging. If any part of your roof is sagging, that’s a critical indicator that you need a new roof pronto.
- A professional recommends it. Pros know what to look for, and not just on the shingles. They can inspect the flashing, gutters, seals, and more. If you’re at all unsure over whether you need a new roof, call a professional for their expert opinion.
There are many other potential signs that your Vancouver home’s roof is in need of repair. In general, if you need to repair anywhere over a third to a half of the roof, it might be better to just replace it altogether. If you’re at all uncertain, contacting a pro is the way to go.
3. What Are the Best Roofing Materials for Vancouver Homes?
We’ve previously written about the best roofing materials for homes in the Pacific Northwest, and that article is still as true as ever. Here are the most common roofing materials for homes near Vancouver:
- Asphalt shingles. The most popular and common material for American roofs, these shingles are great in any environment and come with a variety of warranty options, including “lifetime.”
- Wooden shingles and shakes. These roofs are gorgeous but difficult to maintain and vulnerable to fire and pests. In addition, the installation is a dying art. Very few contractors install them as very few homeowners choose them.
- Metal roofs. Metal shingles and standing-seam roofs are primarily different aesthetically and can have a much longer life span than other types of roofs, up to 50 years. However, they can be much more expensive than asphalt shingles, and one of their chief benefits—resistance to heavy snow—is less common here in Vancouver. Also, many don’t like how they look or how noisy they can be with our incessant rain.
- Slate shingles. If you have money to burn, slate shingles can last well over a hundred years, but for all of their very real benefits, they are extremely expensive. It’s also difficult to find roofers experienced with slate roofs, so expect to pay 10 times more for a stone roof than you would for an asphalt one, at a minimum.
If you want to learn more about roofing materials in the Pacific Northwest, read our blog on the subject.
4. How Can You Find the Best Roof Repair in Vancouver, WA?
At the end of the day, finding expert roofers to fix or replace the roof of your Vancouver home is just like finding expert services for any of the other million things a homeowner needs to worry about. You should start by talking to your friends and neighbors about who they recommend and supplement it with online research.
Take special note of Vancouver, WA, and Portland roof repair businesses that feature testimonials and quotes from satisfied clients. You can also look up reviews for their businesses online. This will help you best decide who is worth reaching out to.
Following this step, you can contact the roof repair contractors and see if they can offer you free quotes. Some may do so over the phone, while others may have their quote contingent on an expert inspection. It may be tempting to simply go for the lowest bid, and it’s definitely a consideration, but also consider what you’re getting for the price and whether or not a lower bidder might not be cutting corners while a higher bidder might be including some extra services.
When this is all done, hire the roof repair contractor who fits your project best, and congrats on your new roof.
If you want to talk to experienced, trusted roof repair experts in the Vancouver, WA, area, give Interstate Roofing a call, and see how we can help you start your roof repair journey today.