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Roof repairs
Not every roof problem needs a new roof.
Many leaks and lost shingles are small, local and quick to fix. Others are a sign the whole roof is tired. Here is how to tell the difference, in plain words.
Six situations we are often asked about
A repair is not always the cheaper choice in the long run, and a replacement is not always necessary. Each one below says both.
Shingles lifted or blown off after wind
What you might see: A few shingles on the lawn, a bare patch, or tabs that stand up and flap.
A repair makes sense when
The rest of the roof is flat, sealed and in decent shape. Swapping in a few matching shingles and resealing the neighbours is a quick, sensible fix.
Time to talk replacement when
Shingles keep coming loose in several places, or they snap and crumble when touched. That often means the sealing strip has worn out across the whole roof.
One drip in one place
What you might see: A single ceiling mark or drip that appears in heavy rain and always in the same spot.
A repair makes sense when
The source is small and local, such as a nail pop, a cracked pipe collar or a bit of failed sealant. Finding it and fixing it properly can be inexpensive.
Time to talk replacement when
Opening the area up reveals soft, dark decking or old underlayment that is failing nearby. At that point a patch is only a pause.
Cracked rubber around a vent pipe
What you might see: Rubber collars around plumbing vents that look dry, split or lifted.
A repair makes sense when
Almost always. Replacing the collar is a small repair and one of the most common causes of small leaks.
Time to talk replacement when
Only if the shingles around it are also worn out. It is worth doing the collars at the same time as any bigger job.
Flashing around a chimney, wall or valley
What you might see: Rusty or lifted metal, gaps in sealant, or stains that appear beside a chimney or where a wall meets the roof.
A repair makes sense when
The roof itself is healthy and only the metal detail has failed. New flashing and a proper seal can add many good years.
Time to talk replacement when
The shingles surrounding the flashing are tired too. Fresh flashing under a worn roof means doing the job twice.
A ceiling stain you cannot trace
What you might see: A brown ring on the ceiling, bubbling paint, or a musty smell in the attic.
A repair makes sense when
The inspection finds a clear, single entry point, or the water turns out to be condensation from poor attic ventilation, which has its own fix.
Time to talk replacement when
There are stains in more than one room, or repeated leaks after earlier repairs. Water is probably getting in from more than one place.
Moss, algae streaks and dark patches
What you might see: Green growth on shaded slopes, or dark streaks running down the roof.
A repair makes sense when
The shingles underneath are sound. Careful cleaning and sometimes zinc or copper strips can slow it down. Streaks alone are cosmetic.
Time to talk replacement when
Moss has lifted shingle edges or granules are washing off in large amounts. The surface is breaking down underneath the growth.
A word about being honest with you
We would rather tell you a small repair is enough than sell you a roof you do not need. And if a patch would only buy you a few months, we will say that too.
Please stay off the roof
Roofs are slippery and steep, and old shingles can break under your weight. You can learn a lot from the ground, using binoculars and a look in the attic with a torch. Leave the climbing to people with the right gear.
Cannot tell what you are looking at? Take a few photos from the ground and add them to your notes when you request an estimate.
Not sure which one you need?
Tell us a little about your home. If you are not sure whether you need a repair or a replacement, say so. That is the most useful place to start.