Repair or Replace? Answers to This Very Common Question

Your Roof: There is a time in every roof’s life when it needs to be replaced. But, do you really need that new roof now? It’s a difficult decision given that a new roof can cost from $2K to $6K. Just because the roof is leaking a bit does not necessary mean it needs a full replacement.

Replace it if:

• It is 20 years old or more. The average roof life is 15 years.
• There 1/3 or more of the shingles are damage, missing, cracked or curling.
• You see sagging roof boards or mold in your attic.
• It was significantly damaged by a storm. Your insurance may cover this!

Repair it if:

• Ice dams appear on the roof.
• You see minimal water damage in your home. Most water leaks can be repaired.
• You are only missing a few shingles. Repairing a few shingles may only cost $75 – $250.

Your TV: It’s a sad day when the tube stops working. It’s usually very high on the list of priorities, but a decision has to be made to fix or replace first

Replace it if:

• There is a recall for a defective TV. Sony is replacing certain models of their TVs for a great discount because they have defective parts.
• It’s old. New technology is better than ever and has become more affordable. You will likely get a better TV at a lower price than your previous one.
• The repair will cost more than half the price of a new TV.

Repair it if:

• You bought the extended warranty.
• It’s a really big expensive TV.  It will not be easy to afford to replace this and will be worth the cost of a repair.

Your Business Copier: An office copier can be an expensive investment. What do you do when you your copy machine isn’t working properly.

Replace it if:

• The cost of repairs over the last six months adds up to more than fifty percent of the cost of the copier.
• It’s not reliable and you are losing money on your business without it.
• Leasing a copier is cheaper than your monthly repair bills.

Repair it if:

• Your warranty has not expired.
• You can purchase the broken part on the cheap and replace it yourself.
• It doesn’t break down very often.

Your Gutter System: Gutters carry out an important function for your home: Carrying water away. It’s important that they are functioning properly, so action needs to be taken when you notice something is wrong.

Replace it if:

• You notice that the system is rusting out or the nails are pulling away from your home.
• Water is pouring over even when the gutters are clear of debris. The system may be too small for your home.

Repair it if:

• They simply need to be cleaned. Some gutters leak because they are full of leaves. Gutter cleaning only costs $150 to $300 per day.
• Less than 2 or 3 sections are damaged.

Your Hardwood Floors: A hardwood floor can hold up for more than 100 years! Refinishing your hardwood floors can make them look like new again in most cases, but there are a few exceptions when you will need to replace them.

Replace them if:

• You want a different grain or much lighter color.
• There isn’t enough material left to refinish it again. It has been sanded many times and the nail heads are showing at the seams.
• Water damage has caused the floors to warp or buckle.
• They have very deep holes or cracks.

Repair (or refinish) them if:

• There are scratches or traffic wear, but plenty of material left to sand.
• You found them underneath your old carpet or vinyl floor.  Old hardwood is very valuable and a refinish will take off any material left from the carpet or vinyl.