Repairs are the right call when damage is isolated and the rest of the roof is sound. But when problems keep coming back, you can end up paying for several repairs on a roof that still needs replacing. Here are five signs it's time to stop patching.
Leaks in more than one place. One leak at a flashing or a vent is a repair. Leaks showing up in several rooms usually mean the underlayment has failed across the roof.
Granule loss and curling on a shingle roof. Shingles that are bald, cupped, or curled at the edges have lost their protection from sun and water, and they're more likely to lift in high wind.
Cracked, slipped, or broken tile. A few broken tiles can be replaced, but widespread slipping and cracking often points to failing underlayment or attachment underneath.
Soft spots or sagging. If the roof feels spongy underfoot or you can see dips in the roof line, the deck may be rotting. That calls for a full tear-off so the damaged plywood can be replaced.
Ponding water on a flat roof. Water that sits for days after rain breaks down older flat-roof systems and finds its way through seams. Replacing with TPO and improving drainage solves the problem at the source.
If you're seeing any of these, a roof inspection and written estimate will tell you where you stand.