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Your business sign is your silent salesperson, working 24/7 to attract customers and build your brand. But just like any hardworking employee, it can show signs of wear and tear. Ignoring these signs can send the wrong message about your business and cost you valuable customers.

How do you know when it’s time for a simple fix or a full refresh? At Jet Star Signs, we’ve helped hundreds of Houston businesses make that call. Here are the five most common signs it’s time to consider sign repairs or a full replacement.

1. It’s Looking Faded, Worn, or Outdated

This is the most obvious red flag. Your sign faces the relentless Texas sun, pouring rain, and everything in between. Over time, this takes a toll.

  • What to look for:
    • Fading: Colors that are no longer vibrant. Your once-bright red logo now looks pink.
    • Peeling or Cracking: Vinyl graphics that are bubbling, peeling at the edges, or cracking.
    • Rust and Corrosion: Metal components, frames, or channels showing signs of rust.
  • Why it matters: A faded, worn-out sign screams neglect. If you don’t care about your storefront, potential customers assume you won’t care about your product or service either. It directly undermines the quality and credibility of your brand.
  • Repair or Replace?
    • Repair: If the structure is sound, a simple sign repair like re-facing, re-painting, or replacing the vinyl can work wonders.
    • Replace: If the entire sign is faded and the style is from a different decade, a modern update might be the best investment for your brand image.

2. The Lights Are Flickering, Dim, or Out Entirely

For illuminated business signs—like channel letters, lightboxes, or monument signs with lighting—functioning lights are non-negotiable. If your sign is dark after sunset, you might as well be closed.

  • What to look for:
    • Flickering: Random blinking or sections that intermittently go dark.
    • Dark Spots: Individual LEDs or neon tubes that have burned out, creating gaps in letters or logos.
    • Complete Darkness: The entire sign fails to light up.
  • Why it matters: A dark sign is invisible at night, cutting your advertising in half. Flickering lights look unprofessional and can be a symptom of deeper electrical issues that could pose a safety hazard.
  • Repair or Replace?
    • Repair: This is a classic and often straightforward sign repair. We can replace burned-out bulbs, LEDs, transformers, and faulty wiring.
    • Replace: If you have an old neon sign, upgrading to modern, energy-efficient LED lighting can save you significantly on your energy bill and provide a brighter, more consistent light.

3. It’s Sustained Physical Damage

Houston weather doesn’t play around. High winds, hail, and even the occasional stray debris can cause physical damage to your sign.

  • What to look for:
    • Dents or Bends: In metal signs or frames from impact.
    • Cracks or Holes: In acrylic, plastic, or composite faces.
    • Structural Damage: A sign that is leaning, loose, or looks unstable.
  • Why it matters: Beyond looking bad, physical damage often compromises the sign’s integrity. A loose sign is a major safety risk to your customers and property, especially during a storm. It could lead to liability issues or costly emergency repairs down the line.
  • Repair or Replace?
    • Repair: Small cracks, minor dents, and re-securing a loose structure are all within the realm of sign repairs.
    • Replace: Significant structural damage, especially to the main support posts of a monument or pylon sign, usually warrants a full replacement for safety.

4. Your Business Has Changed (But Your Sign Hasn’t)

Your sign should accurately reflect who you are as a business today. If any of these have changed, your sign needs to keep up.

  • What to look for:
    • Rebranding: You have a new logo, new color scheme, or new company name.
    • New Offerings: Your menu, services, or products have significantly evolved.
    • Relocation: You’ve moved to a new building and your old sign doesn’t fit or comply with new codes.
    • Ownership Change: You’ve bought a business and need to put your own name on it.
  • Why it matters: An outdated sign creates confusion. Customers looking for the old business might not stop in, and new customers might not understand what you currently offer.
  • Repair or Replace?
    • Repair: If the structure is good, you can often update the faces with new graphics, logos, and text.
    • Replace: A full rebrand or a move to a new location is the perfect opportunity to invest in a brand-new sign that perfectly captures your current business.

5. It’s Constantly Needing Fixes

Are you on a first-name basis with your repair technician? If you’re constantly calling for sign repairs, you’re likely throwing good money after bad.

  • What to look for:
    • Frequent bulb or LED replacements.
    • Ongoing electrical issues.
    • Persistent moisture getting inside the sign.
  • Why it matters: Constant repairs are a money pit. The cost of multiple service calls can quickly add up to the price of a new, more reliable sign. Modern signage is built with better materials and technology, meaning less maintenance and lower long-term costs.
  • Repair or Replace?
    • Replace: This is a clear case for replacement. Investing in a new, high-quality sign from a trusted provider like Jet Star Signs will give you peace of mind and a warranty, saving you time and money for years to come.

Not Sure If You Need a Repair or a Replacement? We Can Help.

Deciding between a quick fix and a new investment can be tough. The team at Jet Star Signs offers free, no-obligation assessments. We’ll give you an honest, expert opinion on the best course of action for your business and your budget.

Don’t let a failing sign fail your business. Contact us today for a professional evaluation and keep your hardest-working marketer in top shape.