The Best Roofing Repair Solutions for Every Roof Type

There usually comes a time when a homeowner needs to repair or replace a roof, no matter where that home is located. This can be for a variety of reasons including minor damage or major structural issues. Most of the time your roofing repair jobs will be limited to just routine maintenance, but sometimes you will need more complex work done. When that time does arrive, a roofing repair contractor can get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

But to choose the best person for the job, having basic knowledge of roof repair jobs and how much each item can cost can come in handy. Roofing repair jobs can range from as affordable as $150 to a whopping $7,000, so knowing what options are out there can be quite helpful. Beyond the damage your roof may have, home size, as well as the labor costs in your local area, will all be factors to consider.  

Roof Repair Types 

Roofing repair jobs come in two flavors, major and minor, depending on the extent of the damage and costs involved in the roof repair.

There are several ways to tell if a roof has any preliminary problems before it gets to a catastrophic point. When one of the problems mentioned below manifests, call a roofing repair contractor to take a look. Inspection can prevent a little problem from becoming a bigger problem down the road. 

In general, roof repairs come in two sorts: major repairs and minor repairs. Before you start ringing up certified roofing contractors, it’s best to get a handle on what category your repair might fall into and what type of roof you have so that you can make the most informed choice. Let’s start with the bigger repairs. 

Major Repairs 

Major repairs are the ones that are going to require a lot of work from experienced and qualified professionals with specialized materials. Depending on the scale of the damage, you can be looking at a bill ranging from $600 to $7,000. Where you live will also be a factor here as local municipal regulations regarding permits and inspections may add to your final cost tally. 

Any kind of repair that affects electrical wiring, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, or any major structural work is going to fall under the umbrella of major repairs. This also includes any major safety hazards including potentially compromised roof structures or fire hazards.   

Water Damage

In the best-case scenario, you will have a perfectly kept home and will never have to deal with the unpleasantness of water damage. However, things can and do happen, and water damage in roofing is a rather common issue. Bad weather has a way of wearing out even the highest quality roofing, leading to holes and cavities where water can seep through. 

When left undetected this water can cause even more damage via mold and wood rot. While you can certainly do DIY repairs for relatively small roof leaks, you’ll want to hire a pro for the bigger roof leak repairs and fortunately, there are plenty of qualified experts out there to choose from. On average, major water damage can cost as much as $2,500 to repair and mediate. 

Chimney Repair

A beautiful brick chimney is a great feature for any home but requires regular maintenance for many years of trouble-free use.

In the colder months, a chimney is a wonderful thing to have. The warm glow of a roaring fire is one of those simple delights that virtually any person can appreciate, especially on a chilly windy night when it’s raining outside. However, as nice as a brick chimney undoubtedly is, it requires regular care and maintenance to work properly. 

Over time, a chimney will start to show its age and it will need repairs to maintain structural integrity. A structurally unstable chimney can be a significant safety risk, so do not delay getting any repairs done. Also, once you decide that it’s time to get work done on the chimney, it’s a good idea to look into earthquake-proofing it as well. While this can cost you thousands of dollars, it is well worth considering if you live in a seismically active part of the country.    

Structural Problems

While they are relatively rare, structural failures can happen even with a newer roof. The good news is you have some options if the worst should happen. Many roofing manufacturers offer warranties of at least ten years, giving you a solid amount of protection against any potential defects. 

If your roof is old and past the warranty, structural issues are something that will need to be addressed quickly to avoid bigger and costlier problems. In this case, the cause of the problem is most likely exposure to the elements, and the repairs can cost $360 or more depending on the severity of the problem. 

Minor Repairs 

As shingles age, they may get damaged and loose, requiring repair or complete replacement.

Minor repairs generally mean any kind of procedure to repair small damage to roofing. This can be a job performed by qualified experts like roofing nailers, or can even be a DIY project if you have the experience and want to save some money. Minor repairs are of course more affordable, with jobs rarely costing more than $1,500 total as most of these procedures involve doing small maintenance work that will keep your roof in good shape. 

While it might be tempting to skip out on these jobs since it is just the small damage we’re talking about, we highly recommend not overlooking the importance of preventative care. Ignored minor issues can quickly become a major issue if you’re not careful, and this will lead to much higher maintenance costs for you in the long run. 

Small Leaks

Small leaks are a common problem, especially for older roofs that have gone through many years of rain, snow, wind, and extreme temperatures. Over time, these forces cause roofing materials to break down and this can lead to small holes that water will eventually find. While it is pretty easy to determine that your roof has a leak, you may find it challenging to locate it precisely, and it can also be difficult to know how much damage the leaking has actually caused. 

While a leaking roof may not be an immediate emergency, it is good practice to get in touch with a roofing contractor if you find a leak so you can get a good idea of what is going on. This can help you to avoid any unpleasant expensive surprises. A roof leak repair can cost as little as $200 if it is caught early enough as this can be fixed by something as simple as tile replacement.  

The convenient thing about minor repairs such as small leaks is that as opposed to replacing your entire roof, you can patch-repair problematic areas, saving you a headache and a large bill.

Replacing Missing Shingles 

Strong winds from winter or summer storms have a habit of stealing loose roof shingles, which can be a major hazard. But usually, this happens due to a bunch of other stuff that’s happening in the background; well-installed shingles shouldn’t fly off that easily. Usually, the shingle has become loose over time due to a combination of moisture and mold growth that gradually erodes the shingles and pushes them out. 

Regular maintenance is a great way of making sure this process doesn’t have a chance of coming to a head. An experienced roofer will know exactly what to look for during regular roof maintenance and would be able to identify roof shingles that may be a risk. Sometimes this may require shingle replacement, but usually, this is a pretty affordable repair at $1.50 per square foot of shingles.  

Intact roof flashing is an important part of any roof and so any damage to your flashing should be addressed sooner rather than later.

Corroded Flashing 

Flashing is made of metal so it’s pretty tough stuff, but even it can succumb to mother nature. Over time, you may notice that old flashing on your home may develop corrosion, cracks, holes, or even entire missing sections that may have blown off. All of these indicators are good signs that your flashing needs some work. 

Because it is relatively simple to work on, roof flashing is easy to repair either by plugging holes with metal or concrete or by replacing bad sections of flashing. You can even do this work yourself if you have experience working on roofs, but bear in mind that this work is inherently dangerous since you will be working at heights. When in doubt, it is always better to go with a professional who has the required safety equipment and charges between $200 and $500 on average. 

Gutter Cleaning

Clogged gutters can cause more problems than just water pooling and may damage the roof structure or cause mold growth.

While not necessarily a repair job, gutter cleaning is an important part of roofing maintenance for a few reasons. Keeping your gutters clean and clear will allow them to work as efficiently as possible when moving large amounts of water. This can also help to make maintenance easier since cleaning your gutters makes it easier to spot any potential problems or damage. 

Neglected gutters can easily get clogged and this can lead to a lot of knock-on effects that damage your roof in some way. Given that you can have your gutters cleaned for as little as $250, it makes sense to have this done at least once every six months so that you can keep your roof in good condition.