Affordable Roof Riverside, CA: Tips...

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New Roof Installation vs. Repair             

As you already heard, the average roof estimate costs a minimum of $6,000, while the average roof repair is approximately $600. Clearly, we’d all like to avoid that extra zero, but there are certain scenarios where roof replacement is highly recommended: 

• Old Roofs: Most roofs last a maximum of 25 years. If your roof is approaching this age, you must consider a full roof replacement.
• Extensive Leaking: At one point or another, the entire roof will have to be replaced and extensive leaking is a clear sign that time is near.
• Change Roof Material: If you to go with an eco-friendly option, such as cool roofs, you will have to replace the entire roof. 

Luckily, there are many instances where roof repairs are preferred:

• Small Leaks: As long as the ceiling or insulation is not filled with mold, most roofing professionals should be able to fix a small leak in less than three hours.
• Missing Shingles: Severe weather can come out of nowhere and literally blow pieces of your roof straight off. As such, it’s important to buy extra material to ensure you have substitutes at a moment’s notice.
• Flashing Issues: You roof’s flashing directs water away from the openings, near your chimney, vents and skylights. It assists in leak prevention, but can come undone after a heavy windstorm. Luckily, this is an easy fix for most pros.
• Damaged Gutters: Gutters need to be cleaned to prevent sagging and other, much more expensive, roof repairs. You can do this on your own with a ladder, but if you have neglected your gutters for years, it’s best to call in a pro.

Cost of Roofing Materials

With all cost factors out of the way, we can get to the most important decision of your roofing project; materials. Most roofing contractors give their materials cost in terms of 10 ft. x 10 ft. squares (100 square feet). 

As you will soon see, there are a myriad of choices for your flat or pitched roof. Additionally, there are other materials you have to analyze if you’re replacing your entire roof, such as the fascia and soffits. This list will give you a sense for the relative costs of all roofing materials:

dditional materials and tools will be required to do roof repair. Chief among these will be a ladder, for which you want to err on the side of caution regarding the length. Long-time homeowners may already own a big ladder that you can use to get to the roof, but new homeowners may need to include a ladder investment in their estimate of roofing costs and prices if they plan on making it a DIY job. A new ladder can be anywhere from $200 to upwards of $500 depending on how high your roof is.

Other materials include fasteners and basic tools like a hammer or drill, protective sealant materials, ventilation materials, flashing, leak barriers and more. Costs of these materials vary widely, though they will generally be a fraction of the cost of the main roofing materials.

DIY or Hire A Pro

While some roof repairs are relatively simple, most are complex and in fact, dangerous to accomplish without the necessary experience. Installing a roof is relatively forgiving work, especially if you're using inexpensive materials. "Forgiving" here means that if you make a mistake, you can usually repair it at little cost. However, if you don't take your time and make sure that there are no leaky spots, you might run the risk of permanent damage to your home. Do not rush any roofing project if you’re undertaking it as DIY. It’s a job where you want to go slowly and steadily. In climates where weather is unpredictable, you may not have a good window of opportunity to work as slowly as you would like, which would be another reason to hire a contractor for the job.

As always, if you’re looking for local roofers, head to our T&PMG lead form.

Roof Maintenance

Once you have the roof that you want, it's important to maintain your investment. No matter what type of roof you have, the key to the longevity relies on maintenance and care. Maintenance should be done at least semi-annually, if not seasonally. A roof inspector should walk your roof slowly and inspect it thoroughly, as well as get rid of all leaves, branches, twigs and any other debris. An electric or gas blower, or roof cleaner, works great. A roofing expert will look for things such as broken or missing shingles, shakes or tiles, and make the necessary repairs. 

Chimneys, roof-mounted AC units, roof-mounted solar panels, dormer vents, heat vents, plumbing vents, and valleys and crickets are the main areas where you will find leaking. Your roof will receive more abuse from the elements than any other part of the building. Preventative maintenance will save you money on your roof by providing a longer life.

Here are some more general roofing tips:

• Never paint shingles. Paint will shorten the life of your shingles and is sure to crack and fade shortly. If your roofing material is starting to look worse than desired, it may be time to get a new roof.
• A contractor with a license to handle asbestos may be necessary. 
• A smart way to keep your home cool is by choosing a "cool roof". Choosing a reflective roofing material color instead of a darker color can drastically cut electricity bills during the summer months. In fact switching to a reflective color can cut electricity demand by 20-70%.
• Power washing a roof is not recommended. Power washing can lead to serious damage to your roof.
• Algae and moss removal: Although hosing down the roof with diluted bleach or chlorine is an option, these also kill all the surrounding vegetation and cause an unpleasant odor. Installing some algae-resistant roofing shingles are another option but oftentimes, roofs that look bad do not necessarily need to be replaced. The best way to solve the problems is installing zinc strips on the roof. When rain runs off of the zinc, it cleans the algae off of the shingles.

Find A Pro

Roofing projects are vital to the health and safety of your home. Looking at other ImproveNet cost guides, you will quickly realize that your roof is one of your most expensive investments. Given the installation price, it’s no wonder most Americans seek out professional roofing contractors. 

If you’re ready to start your own roofing project, T&PMG can connect you with local roofers for free!

Source: https://www.improvenet.com/r/costs-and-prices/roofing-cost-estimator