• (612) 823-5229
  • Roof Control Login
  • I Need Service
Rainville Carlson Inc.
  • Roofing Services
    • Commercial Roofing in Minneapolis
      • Roof Installation
      • Disaster and Emergency Roofing
      • Historical Roof Restoration
      • Wall Waterproofing
      • Snow Removal
      • On-Site Roll Forming
    • Roofing Maintenance
      • Roof Maintenance Contracts
      • Leak Detection
      • Roof Inspections
      • Roof Repair
    • Roofing Systems
      • TPO Roofing
      • EPDM Roofing
      • PVC Roofing
      • Roof Coatings
      • Slate Roofing
      • Metal Roofing
      • Green Roofing
  • Roof Control
    • What Is Roof Control?
    • Walkthrough Inspections
    • RoofControl Login
  • Metal Services
    • Architectural Metals
      • Wall Panels
      • Galvanized Sheet Metal Roofing
      • Copper Roof
    • Architectural Sheet Metal
      • Installation and Repair
    • Custom Metal Fabrication
      • Design
      • Consulting
      • Sculptures and Fountains
  • Resources
    • Roof Financing
    • Newsletter Signup
  • Photo Gallery
  • About Us
    • Our Partners
    • Blog
    • Contact Us
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Locations Served
      • Minnesota
      • Western Wisconsin
      • Eastern Dakotas
    • Careers
  • Menu Menu

Roof Repair vs. Replacement: What’s My Best Option?

The roof is an essential component of any building. It provides protection from the elements and adds to the overall aesthetic appeal.

However, like any other building component, roofs are subject to wear and tear over time, and they will eventually require repair or replacement. In this blog post, we will help you identify when it’s appropriate to replace vs. repair a roof, and what to do if you are unsure.

Repair vs. Replace: What’s the Difference?

Before we delve into when replacing vs. repairing a roof is appropriate, let us first distinguish between the two. Roof repair involves fixing a specific problem, such as a leak or damage to a particular roof area. This is typically done by replacing the damaged or worn-out roof section with new material.

On the other hand, roof replacement involves completely removing and replacing the existing roof with a new one. This is usually necessary when the current roof is beyond repair or has reached the end of its lifespan.

When to Opt for a Commercial Roof Repair

Roof repair is usually appropriate when the problem is minor and localized. For example, if there is a small leak or a few missing shingles in one area of the roof, it can be repaired without needing to replace the entire roof.

In general, if the roof is relatively new and the damage is minor, it’s usually more cost-effective to repair the roof rather than replace it. This is especially true if the roof is still under warranty, as fixing it will not void it.

How Often Should You Replace a Roof?

There are several instances when replacing a roof rather than repairing it is appropriate.

These include the following scenarios:

  • The Roof Is More Than 20 Years Old: Most roofs will last between 20 and 25 years. If yours is over 20 years old, it’s likely nearing the end of its lifespan, and it may be more cost-effective in the long run to replace it rather than continue to repair it. This can even be true if the repair seems to be minor.
  • Extensive Damage: Replacing the roof may be more practical than attempting to repair it. Suppose the damage to the roof is extensive, such as large sections of missing shingles or significant structural damage. This is because repairing such damage may be time-consuming and expensive, and the repair is not guaranteed to last.
  • Energy Efficiency: Older roofs are often less energy-efficient than newer roofs, which can result in higher energy bills. If you want to improve your building’s energy efficiency, replacing an old roof with a new one can be a good way to achieve this.
  • Increased Facility Value: If you plan to sell your facility, a new roof can significantly increase the value and curb appeal. This is because the roof is one of the first things potential buyers will notice when viewing the property.
  • Safety Concerns: If the roof poses a safety risk, such as if it’s structurally unsound or if there is a risk of collapse, it’s essential to replace it as soon as possible to ensure the safety of those living on the property.
  • Cost-Effective: Replacing the roof may be more cost-effective in the long run than continually repairing it. This is because repair costs can quickly add up, and a new roof will likely last many years without requiring significant repairs.

But what if you aren’t sure whether to replace or repair? The short answer is to hire help.

If you ignore roof damage, it could lead to costly repairs in the future. Learn about our roof repair process.

Commercial Roof Repair

Hiring a Professional

Whether deciding to go with a commercial roof replacement or repair, consider going with an expert. Hiring a professional to examine a roof and determine if it needs repairs or replacement is a crucial decision for any business owner. Once you’ve identified which direction you want to go, it’s time to hire a professional to get their opinion on the matter and fix or repair the roof. This process involves several steps to ensure the job is done correctly and efficiently.

The first step is to find a reputable roofing contractor. This can be done by asking for recommendations from friends and family, researching online reviews, or checking with professional associations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association.

Once a few contractors have been identified, it’s important to request a written estimate that includes a detailed description of the work that will be done and the materials that will be used.

Once an estimate has been obtained, the next step is to schedule an inspection. During the examination, the roofing professional will examine the roof for signs of damage, such as missing or cracked shingles, leaks, or water damage. They may also check for signs of wear and tear or damage to the flashing, gutters, and other roof components.

After the inspection, the roofing professional will provide a detailed report of their findings and recommendations for repair or replacement. If the latter is recommended, they will provide options for materials, cost estimates, and a timeline for completing the project. If the roof needs repairs, they will estimate the cost and the timeline for completing the work.

Before hiring a roofing professional, it’s important to ensure they are licensed and insured and to check their references. It’s also a good idea to get a written contract that includes all the project details, including the scope of work, timeline, and payment schedule.

Once you’ve gone through this process and weighed the options yourself, you can feel confident in making the best decision on whether to replace or repair the damage.

Keep a Healthy Roof With Rainville Carlson

If you’re a commercial business looking for reliable and trustworthy custom commercial roof replacement and repair services, look no further than Rainville Carlson. Our experienced professionals provide quality workmanship at competitive rates, so you can be sure your roofing needs are taken care of. Our team is dedicated to finding the best solution for your specific needs, and we are committed to providing exceptional customer service throughout the entire process.

Do you have pressing questions about your roof? We’re happy to help. Contact us today.

Share This Post

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail

Related Postings

metal roofing - roofer working on the house roof

The Most Affordable Metal Roofing Solutions for Commercial Buildings

April 29, 2025
Read more
https://www.rainvillecarlson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/metal-roofing-roofer-working-on-the-house-roof.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rainville-Carlson-Logo-300x144.png AbstraktMarketing2025-04-29 13:22:442025-05-03 20:32:47The Most Affordable Metal Roofing Solutions for Commercial Buildings
Workers installing metal roof panels on commercial building

How to Choose the Right Metal Roofing System for Your Commercial Building

April 1, 2025
Read more
https://www.rainvillecarlson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Workers-installing-metal-roof-panels-on-commercial-building.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rainville-Carlson-Logo-300x144.png AbstraktMarketing2025-04-01 15:59:192025-05-03 20:32:48How to Choose the Right Metal Roofing System for Your Commercial Building
Interior view of metal roof

Maximize Facility Performance with Industrial Metal Roofing Benefits

April 1, 2025
Read more
https://www.rainvillecarlson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Interior-view-of-metal-roof.jpg 1250 2000 AbstraktMarketing /wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rainville-Carlson-Logo-300x144.png AbstraktMarketing2025-04-01 15:47:192025-05-03 20:32:48Maximize Facility Performance with Industrial Metal Roofing Benefits

Company

About

Partners

Blog

Careers

Solutions

Commercial Roofing

Roofing Maintenance

Roofing Systems

Metal Services

Contact

9363 67th St. NW
Annandale, MN 55302

(612) 823-5229

Click to email >

Website by Abstrakt Marketing Group © 2022
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
Common Signs of a Storm-Damaged RoofRoof with hail damage and markings from inspectionRoof of a new home ceramic chimney, metal roof tiles, guttersHow Does a New Roof Help Energy Efficiency?
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only