Repair or replace?
A roof that leaks in one place can usually be repaired. A roof that leaks in several places, has lost most of its granules or has brittle underlayment under the tiles is often cheaper to replace than to keep patching.
In Los Angeles a replacement also has rules of its own: a reroof in the City of Los Angeles generally needs a permit, many reroofs must use cool-rated materials, and in the hillside fire zones a new roof must be Class A fire rated. A licensed roofer handles all three.
Signs it may be time to replace
- An asphalt shingle roof around 20 years old or more
- Leaks in more than one place
- Shingles curling, cracking or bald of granules
- Tile roof underlayment that has dried out and cracked
- A sagging roof line or soft spots underfoot
- Repairs every rain season
What a replacement estimate covers
- The roof measured and assessed, including the deck where it can be seen
- Material options for your roof: shingle, tile, metal or flat
- Tear-off, underlayment, flashing and ventilation in the scope
- Permit and cool roof requirements for your address
- A written estimate, with the warranty terms in writing