Roof Repair or Full Replacement? How to Tell

A leak or a few missing shingles doesn’t always mean you need a new roof. Sometimes a repair is the right call, and sometimes it only delays a bigger bill. Our policy is to always be honest and give fair, realistic prices, so here is exactly what we look at when a homeowner asks us which one they need.

A repair usually makes sense when

• The damage is limited to one area, such as a few shingles lost in a windstorm.

• The rest of the roof is in good shape and has years of life left.

• The leak traces back to one spot, like flashing around a chimney or vent.

Replacement is usually the better value when

• Shingles are curling, cracking or losing their granules across the whole roof.

• You’ve had leaks in more than one place.

• The roof is near the end of its expected life and repairs are becoming a yearly event.

• You see sagging or soft spots, which can point to damage underneath the shingles.

After a storm

Michigan weather is hard on roofs. After hail or high wind, look from the ground for missing shingles, dented metal and shingle granules collecting in the gutters. Please don’t climb up yourself. A roof can look fine from the driveway and still have damage that shortens its life.

If insurance is involved

Storm damage is often covered by a homeowner’s policy, but every policy is different, so start with your insurance company. Take dated photos, keep any pieces that came off, and get a written inspection. Our estimate form asks whether your project is part of an insurance claim so we can prepare for it from the first visit.

Not sure which you need?

Blue Line offers free roof inspections and estimates for homeowners in Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Allegan and Calhoun Counties. We handle roof replacement, roof repair and storm damage restoration, and if a repair is all you need, that’s what we’ll tell you. Doing right by our customers comes first. Call (269) 329-2920.