Roof repair and replacement: a plain guide

How roof repair and replacement works

A roofer inspects, repairs and replaces the roof covering, the flashing around chimneys and vents, and the decking underneath. The roofer prices the material, the number of layers coming off and the pitch of the roof.

What a roofer needs to know: where you see the problem, the roof material, roughly how old it is, and whether a storm or insurance claim is involved.

What people call a roofer for

• Roof leak repair: Stains on ceilings, drips in the attic, failed flashing
• Storm and hail damage: Missing shingles, bruised shingles, lifted edges
• Roof replacement: Tear-off and new roof, including underlayment and flashing
• Roof inspection: Before a sale, after a storm, or when a roof is getting old
• Flashing, vents and edges: Chimneys, skylights, pipe boots and drip edge

Common jobs

Roof leak

Most roof leaks start at flashing, vents or a damaged area, not in the middle of a good roof. Where the stain shows up is the first clue.

Water runs along the decking and rafters before it drips, so a roofer often traces it uphill from the stain.

A small flashing repair is common on a sound roof. Leaks in many places on an old roof usually point to replacement.

What to tell the provider

• Note where the stain or drip is inside and whether it shows up only in heavy rain or wind.
• From the ground, look for missing shingles or lifted flashing near chimneys and vents.
• Put a bucket under the drip and move valuables; do not climb onto a wet roof.

Hail or wind damage to a roof

After hail or high wind, an inspection documents the damage before you talk to your insurer. Photos from the ground help.

Hail can bruise shingles without obvious holes; granules in the gutters are one sign.

Be careful with anyone who asks you to sign over your insurance claim at the door. Your insurer decides what is covered.

What to tell the provider

• Photograph missing shingles, dented gutters and vents, and any leaks inside, with dates.
• Check your policy for the deadline to report storm damage.
• Write down the date of the storm.

Replacing a roof

A replacement quote depends on the size and pitch of the roof, the layers coming off and the material you choose.

A full tear-off lets the roofer check and replace rotted decking. Laying new shingles over an old layer hides it.

Ask what underlayment, ventilation and flashing are included; those parts decide how long the new roof lasts.

What to tell the provider

• The roof material and roughly how old it is.
• How many layers are on the roof now, if you know.
• Whether you want to compare materials such as asphalt shingles and metal.

Roof inspection

An inspection is a good idea before buying or selling a house, after a storm, or when the roof is getting old.

An inspection covers the covering, the flashing, the vents and often the attic for signs of moisture.

Ask for photos and a short written summary you can keep.

What to tell the provider

• Why you want the inspection: a sale, a storm, or the roof's age.
• Whether you can give the roofer attic access.
• Any leaks or stains you have seen, even old ones.

What changes the price

• Roofs are priced by area (squares), pitch, the number of layers coming off and the material going on.
• Rotted decking is often found only after tear-off; ask how it is priced if found.
• Ask whether the quote covers the permit, the dumpster and cleanup of nails from the yard.
• For storm damage, ask how the roofer works with an insurance adjuster before you sign anything.

We never quote prices; the provider you hear from does.

Sources

• OSHA: Fall protection
• U.S. Department of Energy: Cool roofs