Repair or Replace a Roof in the Triad

Start with the roof's age

Asphalt shingle roofs around the Piedmont commonly last around two decades, give or take depending on the product, ventilation and exposure. A roof well short of that with a single problem is usually a repair. A roof near or past it with several problems is usually a replacement.

Signs a repair is enough

• Damage is limited to one area: a few blown-off shingles, a cracked pipe boot, one leaking flashing.
• The rest of the shingles lie flat, hold granules and flex without cracking.
• The decking is solid around the problem.
• Matching shingles are available or the area is out of sight.

Signs it is time to replace

• Curling, cupping or cracking across many slopes.
• Bare spots and heavy granule loss in gutters.
• Leaks in more than one place, or new leaks after repairs.
• Soft decking in several areas.
• Hail bruising or wind damage across most of the roof.
• More than one layer of shingles already on the house.

Ventilation changes the math

A poorly vented attic ages shingles faster from below. If a roof is failing early, look at intake and exhaust. The DOE's Energy Saver pages explain how ventilation, insulation and air sealing work together (U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver). Replacing shingles without fixing ventilation can repeat the problem. See attic ventilation.

Moisture you cannot see

Slow leaks soak insulation and decking long before a stain appears. The EPA advises fixing moisture problems quickly to prevent mold (U.S. EPA, mold and moisture). If the attic shows widespread staining, replacement with new decking where needed may make more sense than spot repairs.

Partial replacement

Sometimes one slope takes the brunt of the weather and wears out first. Replacing that slope alone can work, but the new and old shingles will not match exactly, and the transition must be flashed carefully.

Thinking about the next storm

If replacement is likely within a few years anyway, some homeowners choose to replace sooner and add storm upgrades such as those in IBHS's FORTIFIED Home standard (IBHS FORTIFIED Home program).

Questions to ask

1. How much life does the rest of the roof have?
2. Is the decking sound?
3. Is ventilation adequate?
4. Will a repair match, and does that matter to me?
5. What would a replacement include that a repair would not?

A roof inspection with photos can answer most of them. The estimate factors page explains what moves the scope of each option.

Related pages: roof repair, roof replacement, roof inspections, and what shapes an estimate.

Sources: IBHS FORTIFIED Home program; U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver; U.S. EPA, mold and moisture.