Repair or replace
The right decision starts with the whole roof, not the stain on the ceiling.
A stain inside, a lifted shingle and an aging roof can lead to very different work. Here is what we check before writing a repair or a replacement scope.
A roof is six layers, not one.
- 1
Shingles
The weather surface. Wear shows as curling, cracking and bare spots.
- 2
Underlayment
A second barrier under the shingles. Ice and water membrane at eaves and valleys.
- 3
Roof deck
Plywood or plank boards. Soft or sagging decking means replacement.
- 4
Flashing
Metal at chimneys, walls and valleys. Where most leaks begin.
- 5
Ventilation
Ridge and soffit vents. Poor airflow ages shingles early and causes ice dams.
- 6
Drip edge & gutters
Moves water off the roof and away from the fascia and foundation.
Repair and replacement, side by side.
| Targeted repair | Full replacement | |
|---|---|---|
| Usually right when | Damage is limited to one area and the rest of the roof is sound | Wear is widespread, decking is soft, or leaks keep returning |
| What we replace | Damaged shingles, flashing or boots in the affected area | Everything down to the deck, plus decking repairs where needed |
| Time on site | A few hours to a day | Usually one to three days for a typical house |
| What you get in writing | Photos before and after, and what we fixed | Full scope, materials, ventilation plan and warranty terms |
| Shingle match | Close, but older roofs fade, so new shingles may show | Uniform color across the whole roof |
What a Ridgewell proposal always explains
- What we saw, with photos, and where
- The work we recommend, and the alternatives we considered
- Materials by name, including underlayment and flashing
- What happens, and what it costs, if decking needs replacing once shingles are off
- How we protect the house and yard, and how cleanup works
- Warranty terms, from the manufacturer and from us