Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Roof?

​When you first discover that your garage roof has a small leak or damp patch it is easy to ignore. Replacing or repairing a garage roof takes time, effort and money. However this may cost you more in the long run as most people now use their garage to store (along with the car) stuff they can’t fit in the house. However a recent article in the paper from Good Housekeeping, ‘Don’t keep your clutter in the garage’, pointed out that this is far from ideal. Damp garages can cause wood furniture to swell or contract, make paper in books and photo albums curl and electrical items to end up broken and rusty. So in the end, it may be more cost effective to sort a leaking garage roof sooner, rather than later.

​If the garage roof is relatively new then it is unlikely that it will need to be replaced. We would expect a new garage roof to last for at least 10 years and if it has been fitted correctly with a good quality roofing material then usually much longer than that. If the garage roof is less than 10 years old check to see if it is still under guarantee. A reputable garage roof company should provide this kind of guarantee with a new garage roof and will be happy to repair any problems that occur during this time. If you have been unlucky enough to not have a guarantee then you will need to start by accessing the damage yourself.

The first thing to do is to take a close look inside the garage to try and determine which area(s) the damp/leaks are affecting. Then walk around the outside of the garage concentrating on these areas to see if one of the tiles or panels has come loose. A lot of problems can be caused by just one loose roof clip/screw.  Replace the missing clip and the problem can be easily solved. If you cannot find the source of the leak, the garage roof is leaking in many different areas or you think that you may have an asbestos garage roof, you will need to call in the experts to access what is causing the problem and what can be done. 

​The age together with the extent of damage to a garage roof will determine the best course of action and a good garage roof company will be able to advice you. For a one off small problem, then a repair will probably suffice. However for garage roofs over a certain age, a series of repairs may well end up costing you more in the long run. It is also good to have peace of mind that the roof on your garage is secure and watertight, particularly as winter approaches.

​The cost of a new garage roof will depend on various factors including the type of garage (Apex or Pent), the size of garage and the type of roofing material. If you give us a call or contact us with the type and dimensions of your garage we can provide you with a free no obligation quote.
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Also, if your garage roof is damaged due to stormy weather, the cost of repairs or replacement may be covered by your home insurance policy.  Over the years we have dealt with many households affected by storm damage. We can get a free quote out to you very quickly to start the process of claiming for damage.

​Asbestos is a very hazardous substance and is often found in many older garage roofs. An asbestos garage roof is completely safe if in good condition but once the cement roofing panels start to decay the asbestos fibres can be released into the air. If these fibres are breathed in, they cause fatal lung diseases. If you think you may have an asbestos garage roof it is better to leave all repairs and replacement to the experts. Garage Roof Scotland is SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) licensed to remove and dispose of asbestos safely.
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If you are thinking about repairing or replacing your garage roof and would like some advice, we would love to hear from you. Please give us a call on 07932637646 or get in touch.