Homeowner Guide · Hampton Roads
Repair or Replace Your Roof? 7 Signs That Tell You
Not every leak means you need a new roof. Here's how we decide, so you can look at your own roof with the same eyes.
Signs a repair is usually enough
- One leak in one spot, often around a chimney, wall, vent or skylight.
- A few shingles missing or lifted after a storm.
- A cracked rubber boot around a plumbing pipe.
- The rest of the roof lies flat and still has its granules.
Signs it may be time to replace
- Shingles curling, cracking or bare of granules across large areas.
- Lots of granules in the gutters and downspouts.
- Leaks in more than one place, or coming back after repairs.
- A roof deck that looks wavy or sags: usually wet or failing wood underneath.
- The roof is near the end of the life the manufacturer expected for it.
Why we send you a video first
From the ground it's hard to tell. After every inspection we send you a short Roof Video Report: what we found, why it matters and the next step we recommend, with one written price. If a repair will hold, we tell you.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put new shingles over the old ones?
We prefer a full tear-off: it lets us find and replace rotten decking and install new underlayment and flashing the right way.
Is a repair a waste of money on an old roof?
Not always. A good repair can buy time while you plan. We'll tell you honestly how long we think it will last.