Damage to your home’s roofing should never be ignored. In some cases, minor damage can be easily repaired, while more extensive damage may mean you need to replace your roof. Knowing when to repair and when to replace can save you thousands of dollars and prevent additional damage down the road.

If the damage to your roof is superficial, minor repairs may be the solution. A few loose or missing shingles won’t destroy the integrity of your current roof, but new shingles should be put in place as soon as possible to prevent moisture from getting beneath the other shingles where it could cause a leak or damage to the roof decking.

Water damage of any kind, particularly if it is severe, usually calls for complete replacement of the roof. If you have peeling walls, moisture trails or cracked paint or plaster from leaks, new roofing is essential. Complete replacement should include tearing off the old roofing and replacing the roof decking underneath. This will prevent future water damage and get rid of any rotting or molding wood.

While high winds may rip off a few shingles without causing major damage, gale force winds, hurricanes or tornados often cause unseen structural damage. Ask a professional roofing contractor or home improvement specialist to check your roof after a major storm if you suspect damage.

If there is mold on or under the shingles, be sure to replace the roofing and the roof decking. Mold is difficult to get rid of once it has started growing and can lead to health care issues when the mold spores enter your house.

If you’re still debating whether to repair minor damage or replace your entire roof, consider the age of your roof. If it is more than ten or twelve years old, replacement is probably the better choice. If there is damage to more than 25% of your roofing, a new roof may also be a better bet.

Finally, if a roofing installer discovers multiple layers of shingles on your roof, talk to him about tearing everything down to the roof decking rather than adding another layer on top. Multiple layers of shingles can catch and hold water from rain and melting snow, encouraging mold to spread quickly in a covered, moist environment.

The final decision between repair and replacement of your roofing should be based on the age of your roof, the amount of damage and the opinion of professional installer rather than the cost of the work. Making the right choice guarantees your roofing will protect your home for years to come.