Contact Middlesex Roofing Experts

It comes down to whether the covering still has service life left. A localised failure — one valley, a chimney, a run of wind-damaged shingles, a cracked vent boot — on a roof whose shingles are still flexible is a repair. When shingles crack as soon as they are lifted, granules are collecting in the gutters, and new leaks keep appearing in unrelated places, the material itself has aged out and repairs stop holding. An inspection establishes which situation you are actually in.

Flashing far more often than shingles. Step flashing at sidewalls, counter flashing at chimneys, valley metal and the collars around plumbing stacks and exhaust vents account for a large share of the leaks found on roofs that are otherwise in sound condition. Earlier repairs sealed with roof cement are another common source, because that cement shrinks and cracks along the same line within a couple of seasons.

Within a few weeks of a significant wind event, and immediately if anything is visibly displaced or there is any sign of water inside. The most common form of wind damage breaks the sealant bond without moving the shingle, so nothing looks wrong from the ground until the next strong wind lifts the same area. Insurers also generally expect damage to be reported promptly.

Architectural asphalt shingles cover the large majority of homes in the region — dimensional, reasonably wind-resistant, and straightforward to repair. Low-slope sections over porches and additions need a membrane system instead, because shingles are not rated to shed water at shallow pitches. Standing seam metal is a longer-life option that suits simpler rooflines and is often used on porch and accent roofs rather than whole houses.