Roof? Help me make a major decision (;-P)

[wmw999 2,456]

I probably have my mind made up, but there are lots of people who know more about roofs than I do.

My house is 18, and the roof is 18 and deteriorated. (18 is not unreasonable for Houston). One noticeable leak, which might be stopped now that I've sprayed some gunk on it. Got some bids on a new roof, and it's actually cheaper than I thought it would be.

But I'm always loath to be among the first in the neighborhood to do something like that. It makes me feel like I could have saved the money for another year or something.

Anyone with a good reason one way or the other? Hurricane season is coming -- do I replace it before or after if I do replace? I'm hoping to learn from others' hard-learnt lessons. Thanks

And no, I won't buy a new rig with the money if I don't do the roof.

Wendy W.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[kenneth21441 0]

It would make good since to wait till after the big balls of rain and wind pass is a good reason.If you can keep it in somewhat good order with roof sealent then that will do for a year but in time this will not work. Another thing that might keep you from replacing it is to tarp the roof for short time periods.

The question I have is there a off sesssion when construction crews need work and will offten reduce cost to do any work???

If there is then if you can wait until this time frame you can save alot of money..


Hope this helps

Kenneth Potter
FAA Senior Parachute Rigger
Tactical Delivery Instructor (Jeddah, KSA)
FFL Gunsmith

[dropdeded 0]

dropdeded

*edit* never mind

------------------------------------------
The Dude Abides.
-

[turtlespeed 221]

Quote

Anyone with a good reason one way or the other? Hurricane season is coming -- do I replace it before or after if I do replace? I'm hoping to learn from others' hard-learnt lessons. Thanks

Wendy W.

Just hold off 6 months Wendy. H Season is not the time to replace the roof. Wait to see what the Homeowners Insurance will cover first.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[dropdeded 0]

Yeah, that makes sense.


dropdeded

------------------------------------------
The Dude Abides.
-

[jumpjunkie2004 0]

Pray for a small hurricane that does further damage to your roof, but nothing else.

Then, get your homeowner's insurance to pay for the replacement : )

Jump, Land, Pack, Repeat...

[Brains 2]

Quote

Pray for a small hurricane that does further damage to your roof, but nothing else.

Then, get your homeowner's insurance to pay for the replacement : )

They will pro-rate the value of the roof. With it being already 18 years old, she wouldn't get much out of them, not worth the deductible probably. I say replace it before hurricane season, and if it gets damaged, you are more likely to get the ins company to replace it all for no money (except ded.) out of pocket. Plus, with a new roof, should a hurricane hit, you are less likely to have more damage inside your home. Just my $.02, feel free to give me change.

Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you.

[JohnRich 4]

I would get it replaced now.

My logic:

If you don't, and a hurricane hits, you may have major water damage inside your house, due to your old, leaky roof. It may be insured, but why risk the hassle of having it happen and having to fix it.

If you go ahead and get it replaced now, you stand a better chance of protecting your house and investment. And a new roof will have a one-year warranty against leaks and damage, with free repairs.

And have the roofer leave behind a few extra bundles of shingles so that you have matching shingles from the same production batch for spot repairs in the future. Store 'em out of the way in the garage for a rainy day.

Walk your driveway carefully when they're done, looking for stray roofing nails. They drag a large magnet around to try and collect them all, but always miss some, and flat tires are common after a roof job.

Get several estimates, as prices can vary significantly.

That's about all I can think of right now. Good luck!

[skymama 37]

No matter who you choose, make sure they are covered by Workman's Comp. insurance. It's even better if you have them contact their insurance company to issue a Certificate of Insurance with your name and address as the certificate holder. Make sure it comes from the insurance company, not the roofer, and with a current date on it. Some unscrupulous contractors will let coverage expire and hand someone an old certificate pretending that they are covered. If they get injured on the job and don't have coverage, guess who will be paying the medical bills?

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[monkycndo 0]

Ding dind ding. We have a winner.

Not sure what type of roof you are replacing. If it is the Three Tab Shingle, I always suggest upgrading from the 20 year to at least the 25 year, if not the 30 year shingle. The majority of the cost is the labor, so the improved warranty isn't that expensive and the thicker shingle will stand up better to storm winds. Also better resale value if/when you move.

[turtlespeed 221]

Quote

Ding dind ding. We have a winner.

Not sure what type of roof you are replacing. If it is the Three Tab Shingle, I always suggest upgrading from the 20 year to at least the 25 year, if not the 30 year shingle. The majority of the cost is the labor, so the improved warranty isn't that expensive and the thicker shingle will stand up better to storm winds. Also better resale value if/when you move.

In Houston the 30 year shingle lasts about 18 years.
If you get it done now - the wait won't be long and you MIGHT end up with a better roof. Not neccessarily better than you had before, just better than you have now.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[yamtx73 0]

Replace it now... as others have pointed out if you wait for a hurricane you could have more water damage inside the house. Plus if you do it now instead of waiting for a hurricane there won't be a wait for a roofer or for shingles. Definitely go for the 30 year shingles, at least that way you may not have to replace them again (as long as you sell in the next 18 years or so).

The only naturals in this sport shit thru feathers...

[turtlespeed 221]

Quote

Replace it now... as others have pointed out if you wait for a hurricane you could have more water damage inside the house. Plus if you do it now instead of waiting for a hurricane there won't be a wait for a roofer or for shingles. Definitely go for the 30 year shingles, at least that way you may not have to replace them again (as long as you sell in the next 18 years or so).

but the likleyhood of the quality of the work being better 18 years ago as opposed to now is pretty high.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[TheAnvil 0]

I would only replace it now if the gunk fails to stop the leak. If you wait until after the hurricanes have past and the weather cools a bit, you'll probably get a better price from a roofer than now, when they know they'll be working in the heat. If too many roofs are damaged in any hurricane that might hit, the prices will be driven up for a bit, so you might have to wait a while, but I think that the better course of action overall.

My US$0.02.

Vinny the Anvil
Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL
JACKASS POWER!!!!!!

[Royd 0]

Obviously, you now have a shingle roof. If you like the look of metal, and the neighborhood allows it, get a heavy gauge with a quality paint. Some colors oxidize after a time.
If done properly, you will never have to think about the roof again.
If you are going back with shingles, don't let the roofer talk you into a roof over.[Putting shingles on top of shingles.] It cuts down on the life of the new shingles because of heat buildup on the roof. plus, it adds additional weight to the roof, and shingles are heavy.

[tkhayes 348]

but if you get roof damage during a hurricane, it could takes months to find a contractor who can repair it.

Here in Florida, people still have blue tarps from 2 years ago. most waited months to get someone to do the work, insurance or not. Every contractor was booked a raping people for profits..

Your home is a big investment - roof damage leads to mold, water damage etc. Your insurance company may not cover you for damage caused by leaks AFTER a hurricane.

I generally play on the safe side - it takes someone 2 days to replace a roof. Shop around, I bet they are not that busy right now.

TK