On This Page:

1. Common Asphalt Roofing Repairs & Their Costs
2. How to Know Whether to Repair or Replace
3. Questions to Ask a Roofer
4. Conclusion

Asphalt shingles are one of today’s most popular roofing choices. Compared to most other types of shingles, asphalt is relatively inexpensive. These shingles also have a number of advantages, including:

• A life expectancy of 20-50 years depending on the climate in which the shingles are installed
• A relatively simple DIY installation for eager homeowners who have the skills to handle their own roofing
• Modern advances in technology that allow the shingles to take on a variety of colors and styles

These advantages make asphalt shingles the obvious choice for many homeowners. Eventually, however, that roof is going to need basic maintenance. In order to keep your roof looking and functioning its best, you’ll need to understand the potential repairs that might need to be made, the associated cost of repairs, and what to ask contractors when you’re trying to decide who to use to help with your replacement.

Common Asphalt Roofing Repairs & Their Costs

Roof repairs are often at the top of a homeowner’s “must do” list when it comes to repairing a home. No one likes to hear that they’ve taken roof damage during a storm, and realizing that you have a leak in your roof is a nightmare for most homeowners. Here’s the good news: most of the time, repairing asphalt shingles is relatively inexpensive.

Average Cost

The replacement for an entire “square” of a roof—that is, a 10’ by 10’ square, or 100 square feet—generally ranges from around $100-$200. On average, most roof repairs cost between $250 and $630—a relatively low cost for homeowners who are hoping that they won’t have to break the bank to seal a leak or fix storm damage.

If you have only a small area to repair, it won’t take long at all to have your roof looking as good as new. To give you a better estimate of what it will cost to repair a damaged section of roof, consider some of these common damages to asphalt shingles and their fixes.

Damaged Shingles

A single severely damaged shingle is relatively easy to replace yourself if you have some roofing experience and you’re comfortable on the roof of your house. With a cost of around $.80 to $1.20 per square foot for the raw materials, you can replace several shingles on your roof with ease—though you will have to buy an entire pack, which will run between $15 to $20. A few things to consider:

• Take a piece of shingle with you when you go to pick out a replacement shingle. Match the color and texture as closely as possible.
• You’ll need to move two shingles above the damaged one in order to get to the nails and remove the damaged shingle. Take along a pry bar for lifting the shingles.
• Shingles on ridges don’t need to be removed. Most of the time, it’s easier to just nail a new one into place over the top.

If you choose to hire someone to complete these repairs instead of doing it yourself, it will typically cost $45-$65 per hour.

Curling or Mildly Damaged Shingles

Repairing a curling or mildly damaged shingle can also be a DIY project. Follow these easy steps, and you’ll have your roof back to normal in no time.

• Spread asphalt roofing cement, which typically runs around $15-$20, beneath the curling or broken part of the shingle with a putty knife ($10-$15).
• Nail the edges into place with a roofing nail (two, if you’re sealing a tear).
• Seal over the top of the nail holes and any other open areas with roofing cement. Keep in mind that this will be visible, so keep it in as small an area as possible while still sealing the hole.

Roofing sealant, with costs about $4 per tube, can also be used to repair curling and mildly damaged shingles.

Ponding Water

Ponding water on a roof, also known as standing water that remains for more than 48 hours after rain and leaks in through seams and flashing, can be a serious problem for many homeowners. Removing the water and determining its source to avoid future problems are the first priorities in this situation. Ponding water typically occurs on flat roofs.

Do It Yourself: If you want to do it yourself, a flat roof repair kit runs around $250.

Paying the Professionals: An expert roofer will add $200-$400 to the process, but you’ll also be ensured of a longer-term fix.

Flashing Damage

Fixing a leak caused by flashing damage is a more complicated process to handle on a permanent basis, especially if you don’t have experience with roofing. Fixing a leak caused by flashing damage requires

• Replacement of the plywood ($20 each; often, four pieces of plywood will be needed)
• A square of shingles
• Roofing cement
• Nails

The labor cost for replacing a square of asphalt shingles generally runs around $45 to $75 per hour. It’s not a fast process: in some cases, 1-2 days of labor may be required, leaving the total cost to replace a leak at as much as $1,500. Many repairs, however, are much smaller and require less effort on the part of the roofer; lucky homeowners could see repairs that require only around $600-$800.

Replacing the Roof

Replacing a roof is a costly home repair project. Unfortunately, most homeowners will discover that it comes up during the lifespan of their homes. The average replacement cost of an asphalt roof ranges between $4,000 and $6,000 for 1,200 square feet of roof.

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Replace or Repair: When Is It Time for a New Roof?

When you have roof leaks, damaged shingles, and other issues, you may find yourself wondering how to tell whether or not it’s worth going ahead and making the repairs instead of choosing to replace the roof entirely. If your roof has any of these signs, you’re better off choosing a full roof replacement, since repairs at this juncture will only put off the inevitable.

• Your shingles are all very brittle. When you bend them, they break rather than curving. The best place to test this is on the part of the roof that’s exposed to the most sun: it will let you know that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan soonest.
• You have extensive roof damage that is beyond a simple patch-and-repair process.
• Your asphalt shingles are more than 20 years old.
• You have wet insulation under your roof which cannot be replaced without removing and replacing the existing roof.
• Multiple leaks across the surface of the roof is a strong indication that it’s time to replace the entire roof.
• Check out signs of wear across the roof. If you’re noticing collections of mineral granules in common drainage areas leading away from your roof, it’s a sign that the protective coating of the roof has been worn away.

Is It Worth Repairing?

Deciding to repair your roof is an expensive proposition. If you’re only going to be in your home for another year or two, many homeowners may attempt temporary repairs rather than going to the source of the problem. Waiting too long to handle roof problems, however, can lead to damage to ceilings and walls. The longer you wait to repair or replace your roof, the more costly the repairs will be when you do get around to it.

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Questions to Ask Your Roofer

If you’re hiring someone to come in and replace the roof on your house, you want to be sure that they’re going to do exactly the work you need for a reasonable cost. Before settling on a roofing company, there are several questions you should ask.

• Are all of your workers licensed and insured? You may want to ask to see proof of insurance before proceeding. Note: roofing companies should be protected by both liability and workman’s comp insurance to ensure protection for both your home and their workers.
• What permits are necessary in this area before undertaking a roofing project? Will that add to the cost of the project, or is it included in the estimate?
• What guarantees are offered for the workmanship done on the roof? What types of damage are outside that guarantee?
• If the roof has to be replaced, does removing the old roof factor into the cost?
• What will you do with materials that have to be removed from the roof? Will you bring a container to hold them?
• Will ladder stabilizers or standoffs be used to protect the gutters? You don’t want your roof repairs to create another potential problem. Roofers have to get up to the roof somehow, but you need to be sure they aren’t damaging your gutters to do it!
• How will my landscaping be protected while you’re working on the roof? Just like your gutters, you want to be sure your plants, your grass, and any other landscaping features are protected from debris falling from the roof. You should also ask about plans to clean up the property after your repairs are complete.
• What will you do if there’s bad weather during my repair project?
• Is your company doing the project, or will part of it be completed by a subcontractor?

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Conclusion

Taking care of your roof is a critical part of home ownership. Ignoring a problem won’t make it go away; instead, these problems quickly grow worse over time, leading to greater damage within your home. Thankfully, roof repairs don’t have to be costly! Depending on what’s wrong with your roof, you can often manage the repairs yourself or find a local contractor to handle them for a very reasonable rate. Protect your family and your home by ensuring that your roof is in great shape throughout your time in your home.

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