Should you repair your roof or replace it?

Not every leak means you need a new roof. Not every roof is worth patching, either. The decision comes down to the roof’s age, how widespread the damage is and how long you plan to stay in the house.

When a repair makes sense

• The damage is in one area, for example after a storm or a fallen branch
• The roof is well within its expected lifespan
• The problem is at a detail, like flashing around a chimney, a vent or a skylight
• The rest of the roof is sound when inspected

Signs it may be time to replace

• The roof is near or past its expected life for the material (see how long a roof lasts)
• Shingles are curling, cracking or missing across large areas
• Heavy granule loss: bald patches on shingles, granules piling up in eavestroughs
• Leaks in several places, or repairs that keep failing
• A sagging roofline or soft spots in the deck
• Daylight or moisture visible in the attic

Questions worth asking yourself

• How long will you stay? If you plan to stay for many years, replacing an ageing roof now avoids paying for repairs and then a replacement anyway.
• Is the damage hiding something bigger? Water that has been getting in for a while can rot the deck underneath, which only shows when the roofing comes off.
• Do you want a different material? Replacement is the chance to move to a longer-lasting roof, or to add insulation and ventilation.

Heritage and premium roofs are different

Slate, copper and cedar roofs can often be repaired or restored rather than replaced. Individual slates can be swapped out, and copper details can be restored. A slate roof that looks tired is often far from finished. See restoring a heritage roof.

Get an honest assessment

We get on the roof, look at what’s there and tell you plainly whether a repair will do the job. If replacement makes more sense, we explain why and give you a written estimate. Estimates are always free.