--- title: To repair or replace an existing roof? description: When to address a roof repair or replacement and how to go about it are typically cost-based decisions. It is often perceived that addressing a roofing issue and over-cladding the existing roof will be more cost effective than replacing the entire roof as part of a maintenance plan. image: https://www.ccaco.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/istockphoto-91736714-2048x2048_roofing%20repairFIN.jpg --- [![CCA an Aperture Company](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/cca.png?width=230&height=95&name=cca.png "CCA an Aperture Company")](http://ccaco.com) [** ](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/to-repair-or-replace-an-existing-roof#) CCA Blog ![inner-background.jpg](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2302026155-jpg/2014_Images/banners/inner-background.jpg?width=1300&name=inner-background.jpg "inner-background.jpg") # To repair or replace an existing roof? [fa icon="calendar"] Jan 31, 2019 8:30:00 AM / by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) ![roofing repair](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/istockphoto-91736714-2048x2048_roofing%20repairFIN.jpg?width=300&name=istockphoto-91736714-2048x2048_roofing%20repairFIN.jpg)The decision to replace an existing roof may be the result of an ongoing issue such as water leakage, or proactively replacing it as part of building maintenance.  Additional decisions need to be made regarding roof repairs or full replacement including whether or not to over-clad the existing roof or to completely replace it. When to address a roof repair or replacement and how to go about it are typically cost-based decisions. It is often perceived that addressing a roofing issue and over-cladding the existing roof will be more cost effective than replacing the entire roof as part of a maintenance plan. Unfortunately, oftentimes the decision to repair or to over-clad does not take into account a full investigation which discovers the root of the issue. For example, an initial decision was made to roof over the existing assembly of a 1920’s building to keep costs down. However, it was further revealed during an unrelated investigation that the wood rafters connecting to part of the masonry wall had been severely damaged by water intrusion and insects. This discovery ultimately meant that the structural integrity of the building was in jeopardy. Read the full article and case study in the recent *[Failures Column of Construction Specifier](https://www.constructionspecifier.com/look-out-below/).* For additional roofing related issues read*, [Everything Leaks: Testing & Diagnosing Roofing Leaks.](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/everything-leaks-testing-and-diagnosing-roofing-leaks)*   Topics: [Water Intrusion](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/water-intrusion), [Service - Roof](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/service-roof), [Building Envelope](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/building-envelope), [Forensics](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/forensics), [Water Damage](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/water-damage), [Insurance](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2293384710-png/2014_Images/Team_images/Ken.png?width=100&name=Ken.png) #### Written by [Kenneth R Quigley, PE](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/author/kenneth-r-quigley-pe) ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Tag - [Construction (56)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/construction) - [Engineering (40)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/engineering) - [Forensics (39)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/forensics) - [News (37)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/news) - [Construction Defect (33)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/construction-defect) - [Insurance (32)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/insurance) - [Catastrophe Response (27)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/catastrophe-response) - [Architecture (25)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/architecture) - [Water Damage (24)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/water-damage) - [Structural Integrity (20)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/structural-integrity) - [Water Intrusion (20)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/water-intrusion) - [Environmental (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/environmental) - [Owner's Representative (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/owners-representative) - [Project Management (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/project-management) - [Trouble Project Turnaround (19)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/trouble-project-turnaround) - [Hurricane Damage (18)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/hurricane-damage) - [Root Cause Analysis (18)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/root-cause-analysis) - [Storm Damage (17)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/storm-damage) - [Litigation Support (16)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/litigation-support) - [Building Envelope (4)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/building-envelope) - [COVID-19 (3)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/covid-19) - [Disaster (3)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/disaster) - [Service-Envi Contamination Investigation&Forensic (3)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/service-envi-contamination-investigationforensic) - [Disasters (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/disasters) - [Flood (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/flood) - [Forensic Investigation (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/forensic-investigation) - [Mission-Critical Facilities (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/mission-critical-facilities) - [Project - Hospitality (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/project-hospitality) - [Service - Roof (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/service-roof) - [legionella (1)](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/topic/legionella) [See all](https://www.ccaco.com/blog/to-repair-or-replace-an-existing-roof#) ### Stay Up to Date with Our Latest Content - [![linkedin](https://www.ccaco.com/hs-fs/file-2246924294-png/2014_Images/in.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/cca-construction-consulting-associates-llc) Engineering services in New York will be provided by CCA Consulting & Engineering, P.C. CCA, CONSTRUCTION CONSULTING ASSOCIATES, LLC © 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED The materials and information contained on this website have been prepared by CCA, LLC solely for general informational purposes and do not constitute advice. You should not act, or refrain from acting, based upon any information on this website. The description anywhere on this website of the results of any specific case or transaction does not mean or suggest that similar results can or could be obtained in any other matter. Each matter must be considered to be unique and subject to varying results. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and circumstances and the law applicable to your situation. You should consult an attorney for advice concerning your specific situation.