When we meet with a homeowner to look at storm damage or a leak, the first question is always the same — repair or replace? Here are the six factors we are looking at to help you make the right call.
The Condition of Your Roof
There are four things we check: brittleness, mastic strip, granule loss, and storm damage. Brittle shingles crack and crumble in your hand — usually from poor quality materials or an under-vented attic that’s been cooking them for years. If surrounding shingles are brittle, lifting them even slightly to do a repair causes them to crack. At that point, a simple fix turns into a full replacement.
Mastic Strip
The mastic strip is what seals one shingle to another. If shingles are blowing off, either the mastic is failing or the shingles aren’t nailed properly. If the issue is limited to a small area, a repair may be the smarter move.
Granule Loss
Granules give shingles their color but more importantly protect the asphalt from the sun. Any granule loss starts the clock on shingle breakdown. Severity determines whether a repair buys you time or a replacement is the only real answer.
Type of Repair Needed
If your roof replacement is $10,000 and a valley repair runs $750-$900, that’s less than 10% of replacement cost — often worth doing to buy a few more years.
Looks
An older roof is weathered and faded. Even shingles from the same manufacturer and color line won’t match after a year or two of sun exposure. If the repairs will be visible from the street, that’s worth factoring in — especially if you’re thinking about selling.
Future Sale & Ongoing Repairs
If you’re planning to sell in the next couple of years, talk to your realtor before deciding. And if shingles are starting to blow off regularly, know this — once one section goes, the adjacent areas usually follow. At that point, getting a full replacement number in your hands is the smart move.
For a free inspection and honest assessment, call Green Country Roofing at (918) 607-7409. We’ll tell you straight what we find.