It may be the right call to do a quick patch job, but sometimes it is a false economy. That’s when you spend on a “small fix” today and end up needing more (or all) of it to be repaired or replaced in the near future, since they never addressed what caused your issue.
Where patching can cost you more
Here are a few scenarios when the final bill often grows due to repeated patching:
Lots of cracked or slipped tiles on the roof
It is reasonable to replace one or two broken tiles. However, if tiles are showing signs of weakness across different areas, it can be a symptom of age, difficult installation, or storm damage – and more will continue to slip.
Chimneys and valleys that keep leaking, again and again
Yes, a smear of sealant might grudgingly stop a drip, but flashing and valleys need proper detailing. Water moves to where the next weak spot is.
Failing ridge or hip mortar
Repointing does work here and there, but if a length of mortar is crumbling everywhere, then an up-to-date dry ridge/dry hip scheme may be longer-lasting as well as fairly priced in the long run.
Typical cracking on flat roof “patches.”
Patch repairs can become a vicious circle if the flat roof is blistered, split, or ponding. A more appropriate alternative might be an overlay or a replacement in EPDM/GRP/felt, depending on the roof type. For Roofers Selsey, contact www.randsroofing.co.uk/roofing-services/roofers-selsey/
Blocked gutters are causing internal damp
If the ceiling is damp, fixing a stain on your ceiling but perhaps not addressing why is money spent in vain.
How to decide
Ask your roofer two questions:
How did this come about in the first place?
What’s the repair life expectancy?
The best repair should buy you some time – not repeat call-outs.