How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Roof?

Roof Leak Repair Costs

A leaking roof typically costs anywhere from $10 to $120 for a simple fix. Luckily, it is possible for homeowners to repair some issues on their own. Here are some common leaks and the usual DIY cost to repair them:

How to Fix Common Causes of Leaks

• Cracked flashing: Flashing is the metal strip that creates a water-resistant barrier between joints. Metal can crack or corrode from page or deteriorated sealant. To fix, gently pry up the material and remove nails. Nail a new strip in place and reseal.

• Broken or missing shingles: High winds can break or remove shingles. If broken, lift the shingle with a pry bar until the nails holding it pump up. Gently remove nails and old shingles. Replace with a new one and nail in place. ”This can be a tedious task, as many times removing a few pieces of shingles will cause other shingles to rip or come apart,” says Eric Gonzalez, Expert Review Board Member and president of Regions Commercial Roofing, with locations in five states. “This is a natural process due to how a roof bonds, as well as the age of a roof. If the roof is quite new, it can be harder to replace pieces. If you have too old of a roof, multiple pieces could come off.”

• Cracked vent booting: Vent booting is a gasket used to seal roof vents. To repair, cut away the old boot with a knife. Install the new one over the vent and under the shingles. Secure with nails and seal with caulk.

• Ice dams: If snow melt on your roof refreezes, it can create ice dams that hold snow to your roof. The weight can cause damage. Use a roof rake to fix it and remove the first four feet of snow from the roof edge. Then use ice melt product per the manufacturer's instructions. Consider investing in the cost of a roof heat cable to prevent future issues.

• Skylight leaks: Skylights can trap water and the frame seals can crack and form leaks. If there’s a problem, clean off debris and repair cracks with clear silicone sealant.

• Clogged gutters: Clean these out properly to prevent water from pooling up. Otherwise, clogged gutters will prevent rainwater from running off efficiently.

“To prevent having to do any of these repairs and spending more than you should, you should get your roof inspected once or twice a year,” says Gonzalez. “The issues listed above should be almost eradicated.

Average Cost of Roof Repairs by Material Type

There are many kinds of materials and styles for roofs. These include wood shake or composite roofing, asphalt shingles, metal, flat, foam or single-ply roofing. You could also have a type of tile or slate roofing as well. The type of material and style that your roof is will dictate the cost. For example, many consider shingle roofs easy to repair while slate or tile roofs are among the most difficult.

Metal Roofs

• The cost to repair a metal roof is $1,600 on average

• If removed and left improperly sealed, fasteners for panels or shingles can leave a potential leak point

• Time can work fasteners loose, especially where there is a lot of expansion and contraction

• Leaks between panel fasteners, loose seams can let water through

• Sometimes the seams can work themselves loose and allow water in

Asphalt Shingles

• Repairing an asphalt shingle roof costs $875 on average

• Lift up or blow off entirely in high winds

• Most shingles today can withstand 110 mph, but an improperly attached shingle can come off in low winds

• Strong storm winds can lift or remove shingles, loose nails can damage the material

• A weaker section of roof will anchor shingles if there is no nailing strip present.

Composite Roofing

• You’ll pay $450 on average to fix a composite roof

• Lightweight compared to other shingles

• Prone to extensive damage from high winds

• Asphalt roofs may lose a handful of shingles, composite roofs can lose entire sections

• Can lift up more easily than ordinary asphalt shingles and allow water to blow in beneath

• The stone granules begin to come off easily when they require replacement.

Wood Shake

• $750 is the usual price to repair wood shake

• Susceptible to moss buildup if they are subject to a lot of shade

• Attractive to insects if not properly maintained (cedar is the exception)

• May encounter UV damage

• The cost to install wood shake is much higher than repairing it

Slate Roofs

• Repairing a slate roof costs $1,570 on average

• If nailed too tightly, edges can stick up and cause leakage problems

• Prone to ice-damming, when ice builds up and melts into your ceiling

Tile Roofs

• Expect to pay about $1,000 to repair a tile roof

• Potential for cracked or sliding tiles to expose underlayment of roof and cause leaks

• May leak from day one and allow water underneath tiles

• Heat damage is possible from the sun

• Galvanized steel can corrode and form holes that let water through

• Brand new tile roofs cost much more than a repair job

Flat, Foam, or Single-Ply Roofs

• Flat roof repairs costv$400 on average

• Sags can appear in aging flat roofs that cause water to pool up

• If not cleaned before application, the foam may not adhere and will pull up in high winds

• Single-ply roofs can leak if the membrane beneath did not properly seal

• Insulation board can act like a sponge and trap water, causing mold growth

• Rubber roofs cost more to install than to repair

Repair Causes

Most roof leaks are similar in nature and are due to the same types of problems. These include:

• Blown off or missing shingles:

  • Lift up in high winds

  • Lighter materials are more prone to peeling up

  • Without shingles, underlayment and roof deck are exposed to elements

• Leaking roof flashing repairs:

  • Located around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys, and more

  • Flashing redirects water to protect your roof

  • Can leak if it comes loose

  • Leaks are also possible if weather affects flashing

• Sagging roof repairs:

  • A sagging roof is unstable and unsafe

  • Caused by weight, wear and tear, rot, and other factors

• Bad or leaking pipe flashing:

  • Vent pipes sit underneath your roof material

  • Corrosion of pipe flashing or the sealant can allow water to seep through

• Chimney/skylight step flashing:

  • Can leak if high winds pull it away from your chimney or roof

  • Can leak if the sealant no longer works

  • Skylights are trickier to diagnose

  • In skylights, what looks like a leak could just be condensation

  • A cracked skylight or worn seals can allow leaks to form

• Valleys:

  • Valleys are little gutters that run down interior angles on your roof

  • Lifting tiles, fungus build-up, and improper cleaning can damage flashing

  • Valleys channel most rainwater using gravity

• Ice dams:

  • Form when melted snow refreezes on your roof

  • Resulting walls don't allow runoff to drain into rain gutters or leave the roof

• Low slope/inadequate roof pitch:

  • Low slope roofs are susceptible to wind damage

  • Often don't provide good run-off in regions that see a lot of rain

If you notice any of these signs, you should call a roofing specialist immediately to get the problem fixed. Most of the time, old or worn out sealants cause most of these issues, but annual maintenance can help prevent them.

Other Common Roof Repairs and Costs

Anything that is exposed to the elements can suffer damage. Here are some areas that many people miss during their own inspection:

Garage Roof Repair Costs

The cost to replace a garage roof is about $1,500. Prices for garage roof repairs are subjective depending on the damage and materials used. In general, you can expect to pay a bit less for garage roof fixes than for regular roof repairs due to the smaller square footage.

Fascia and Soffits Repairs

The average cost to repair fascia and soffits is $2,300. Fascia is available in wood or PVC and costs around $10 to $30 per 8-foot board. Soffit panels cost around $20 for a 12-foot board.

Fascia and soffit are more than just decorative edging and an enclosed overhang. It protects the roof structure from the elements. Fascia is vertical trim that protects your trusses. Soffit runs horizontally and is an attractive place for insects and small animals. Deterioration is fairly easy to see and can cause problems with your gutters.

Repairing Roof Trusses

Roof trusses cost $2.50 to $5.50 per square foot. These are the main structures that support your roof. Leaks often run along the trusses before dripping down onto your ceiling, so be sure to inspect this area for damage.

If your truss is sagging or moldy or if you have any doubts, call a roofer for an inspection. Some molds are dangerous, if not lethal, to inhale. The repair cost for trusses is difficult to estimate as damage varies quite a bit. If your roof truss is so badly damaged that repair is impossible, replacing them can cost thousands of dollars. Be sure to check them out thoroughly!

Roof Gutters

Cleaning your gutters isn't the most glamorous job. It can be time-consuming and messy. However, this job is one of the simplest things you can do to keep your roof protected, otherwise:

• They can trap water and deteriorate the fascia, the trusses, and the underlayment, and can start to fall apart themselves.

• They leak or fall away from the house and allow water to pool up around your foundation.

It costs only $2 to $4 to patch gutter holes with a tube of roofing cement and a patch. The patch material must be the same material as the gutter to prevent corrosion, which can occur between different metals. Otherwise, you may need to pay the cost to install or replace gutters that are broken or sagging so that runoff can safely leave your roof.

• Replacing a 10-foot section of gutter: $4–$7

• Buying hangers: $1–$2 each

• Replacing the joiner: $4.50 each

Where to Look for Roof Leaks

Roofs come in many styles and are made of many different materials, but some common areas are prone to leak across the board. Here are the most common places to check for leaks:

• Flashing: Repairing flashing costs $10 to $20. The metal that connects vents and other ducts to your roof can age, corrode and crack. This is one of the most common failure points on a roof. Plumbing vents have rubber gaskets that can deteriorate in 10 years. Inspect these for cracking. Gas appliances commonly use B-vents and often use a metal storm collar that can come loose and cause leaks.

• Vertical Slits: New tiles cost about $30 per bundle. Found between shingles, these slits are prone to corrosion. Water can run between the slits causing issues, particularly in the top three inches. Pros will likely need to replace the corroded tiles.

• Missing Granules: Shingles average $30 per bundle. The stony surface of shingles helps protect shingles from UV rays or wear and tear. Granules can wear off over time. If you notice bare patches on your shingles, you can have them replaced.

• Skylight: You can patch a skylight with a $5 tube of clear silicone sealant. Replacing corroded flashing costs from $25 to $80. Water can run down your sloped roof, hit the flat upper edge of your skylight, and become trapped. Or, the window portion of the skylight can become cracked and let water inside.

• Valleys: Flashing used to protect valleys costs around $20 for a 10-foot long piece. Angles formed when two sloped panels come together perpendicularly are valleys. Pros must cut shingles to fit the shape of the valley. Roughly cut valleys can cause gaps that allow water under the shingles.

• Chimneys: Chimney flashing costs around $20. Flashing sealant and masonry caulk cost about $5 each. Old caulking and corroded flashing can cause leaks from your chimney. If both of those are fine, then the chimney itself may have fractures that are allowing water in behind the flashing.

Does Insurance Cover Roof Repairs?

Homeowners insurance typically covers some roof repairs. Most insurance policies cover things like hail, high wind, and fallen tree damage. Insurance usually does not cover leaks caused by age, wear and tear, or a lack of maintenance. Each insurance policy is different, so be sure to read yours carefully.