The short answer
One missing shingle or one leak at a vent is usually a repair. When leaks come back after patches, when shingles are cracked, curling or bare in many places, or when stains show up in more than one room, the roof is likely worn out across the board and patching only buys time. A free in-person look tells you which one you have.
When is a patch enough?
Plenty of roof problems are local. A few shingles lost in a storm, a cracked seal around a vent pipe or a loose piece of flashing at a wall can be fixed at that spot, and the rest of the roof has years left in it.
Usually a repair
- A few missing shingles in one area
- A single leak at a vent or a pipe boot
- Loose flashing in one spot
- A small patch of moss caught early
Which signs point to a bigger problem?
- 01
Leaks that come back
If the same leak returns after a repair, the problem is often wider than the patch.
- 02
Shingles worn all over
Cracked, curling or bare shingles across the roof mean the whole roof is aging.
- 03
Stains in more than one room
Water getting in at several points is a roof-wide problem.
- 04
Granules in the gutters
Shingles shedding their grit are near the end of their life.
What does a tear-off show you?
When the old shingles come off, the roof deck underneath tells the rest of the story. Soft or dark boards mean water has been getting in for a while. That is why a builder who has torn off a lot of roofs looks past the shingles to the deck, the flashing and the vents.
What does a builder check before deciding?
| What we look at | What it tells us |
|---|---|
| Shingles across the whole roof | Whether the roof is aging everywhere or failing in one spot |
| Flashing at walls, valleys and chimneys | Where water is most likely getting in |
| Pipe boots and vents | Cracked seals are one of the most common leak points |
| The roof line | Dips or sags that point to the deck underneath |
We tell you plainly whether a repair will hold, and show you why.
Repair or replace: who should you ask?
Ask someone who does both. A builder who only replaces roofs has a reason to say replace; one who only patches has a reason to say patch. We do repairs and full replacements, and the person who looks at your roof is the person who does the work.
A repair
- Damage in one spot
- Shingles still sound around it
- Fixed in place, often the same visit
A new roof
- Wear across the whole roof
- Leaks back after patches
- Most roofs done in 1 to 2 days
Mr. Hulsey did some work for me. His work was exceptional. He met the timeline and he stayed within budget. I highly recommend him for anyone looking for reliable and high quality construction work.
FAQs about roof repair
Yes. A missing or cracked shingle can let water reach the roof deck. It is often a simple repair if it is caught early.
The patch may not be at the real source, or the roof may be worn in more than one spot. Water travels before it shows on the ceiling.
It can be. Moss holds water against the shingles and can lift them over time.
Yes. If storm damage is part of the job, we work with your insurance company and the adjuster.
Yes. Every quote is free and done in person, usually the same day you call or the next.
