Common roof repairs we handle
Leaks and water stains
The stain on your ceiling is rarely directly below the leak. Water travels along the decking and rafters before it shows up inside. We trace it back to the source, which is most often flashing at a wall, chimney or valley, a cracked pipe boot, exposed nail heads or a section of lifted shingles.
Pipe boots and vent seals
The rubber collar around a plumbing vent is one of the first parts of a roof to fail. Sun and heat crack it, and water follows the pipe into the attic. Our recent work includes replacing rusted and split vent flashings with new boots. It is a small repair that prevents a big leak.
Missing, cracked and lifted shingles
Wind can lift shingles without tearing them off, breaking the seal strip so the next storm takes them. We replace damaged shingles, re-seal lifted ones and check the surrounding courses so the repair holds.
Flashing, valleys and chimneys
Anywhere the roof meets a wall, chimney or another roof plane is a potential leak. Old flashing rusts, pulls away or was never sealed correctly. We replace it with new metal flashing and proper sealant.
Exposed decking and storm damage
If wind has torn away shingles and exposed the decking, the priority is getting the roof dry and protected. See our storm damage and emergency roofing page.
Repair or replace?
A repair makes sense when the damage is limited and the rest of the roof is sound. It stops making sense when the same roof needs repair after repair. Signs it is time to consider replacement:
- Widespread granule loss, curling or cracking across the roof, not just in one spot
- Leaks in more than one area
- Soft or sagging decking
- The roof is at or beyond the normal service life of its material
We will tell you honestly which side of that line your roof is on. You can also read our guide, repair or replace your roof, or price a full replacement with the roofing cost calculator.
Signs your roof needs repair now
- Brown or yellow stains on ceilings or walls, especially after rain
- Shingles in the yard, in the gutters or visibly missing from the roof
- Daylight or wet insulation in the attic
- Rusted, cracked or lifted flashing around chimneys, vents and walls
- Musty smell in the attic or upper rooms
- A sudden jump in cooling bills, which can point to wet insulation or poor ventilation
Why repairs done the cheap way fail
A tube of roofing cement over a crack looks like a repair for a few months. It is not. Sealant alone does not fix a failed pipe boot, rusted flashing or a lifted shingle course. It cracks with heat, and the leak returns in the next hard rain. A proper repair replaces the failed part, seals it correctly, ties into the surrounding roofing and keeps the roof's water-shedding layers in the right order.
Common problems we see, and how we fix them
Cracked or split pipe boots
The rubber collar around plumbing vents cracks in the sun and lets water run down the pipe. A new boot is a small job that prevents ceiling stains.
Rusted or loose flashing
Metal flashing around walls, chimneys and valleys rusts, lifts or was never sealed well. Replacing it stops the most common leak source.
Missing or blown-off shingles
Wind breaks the seal strips and removes shingles, exposing the underlayment. The sooner they are replaced, the less water gets in.
Exposed or popped nails
Nails that back out lift shingles and create tiny leak paths. We re-fasten and seal them correctly.
Valley leaks
Valleys carry the most water on a roof. Debris, worn shingles or poor original work make them a frequent leak point.
Chimney leaks
Chimneys need step and counter flashing and a proper cricket. Failing mortar or sealant lets water in around the base.
Damage from fallen limbs
A limb can puncture shingles and decking. We repair the deck and shingles and check the area around it.