Roofers: roof repair, replacement and commercial roofing
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What roofers do
Roofers repair leaks and storm damage, replace roofs (tear-off and new, or occasionally a second layer where code allows), install and repair flashing around chimneys, walls and vents, fix ventilation, and inspect roofs for owners, buyers and insurers. Most residential roofs are steep-slope — asphalt shingle, metal, tile or slate — and most commercial roofs are low-slope.
Roof repair
Common repairs: missing or damaged shingles, failed flashing, cracked pipe boots around vents, leaks in valleys, and damaged gutters, soffits or fascia. A leak inside often starts some distance from where the water shows, so a good roofer traces it from the attic as well as the roof.
Repair or replace? Repair makes sense when the damage is localised and the rest of the roof has life left. Replacement starts to make sense when leaks are recurring in different places, shingles are failing across the roof, or the decking underneath is soft. Ask the roofer to show you photos of what they found — most will take them as a matter of course.
For a leak that is actively letting water in, many roofers offer emergency tarping. It is a temporary measure; the permanent repair follows.
Commercial roofing
Commercial roofs are usually low-slope (“flat”) systems: single-ply membranes such as TPO, EPDM and PVC, modified bitumen, built-up roofs, metal, and coatings applied over an existing roof. Choosing between repair, a restoration coating and replacement depends on how wet the existing insulation is — a core sample or infrared survey answers that.
For a business or building owner: ask for a written proposal that names the system and manufacturer, the insulation, the flashing details and the warranty — and whether it is a manufacturer’s system warranty or only the contractor’s workmanship warranty. A maintenance plan with regular inspections is how a flat roof reaches its expected life.
Signs you need a roofer — and inspections
- Stains on ceilings, or wet insulation in the attic.
- Missing, curled or cracked shingles; bald patches where granules have gone.
- Sagging along the ridge or between rafters.
- Flashing that is lifted, rusted or sealed with fresh caulk over old.
- On flat roofs: ponding water that stays days after rain, blisters and splits.
NRCA’s magazine has advised scheduling roof maintenance inspections at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall, plus after severe weather such as hail or high winds (Professional Roofing). After a storm, look from the ground: NRCA advises leaving closer assessment and repairs to a professional roofing contractor (NRCA).
How to choose a roofer
- Check the licence. Many states license roofers or require a contractor licence for roofing; some leave it to local governments.
- Ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation. Roofing is high-risk work; an uninsured fall on your property is your problem.
- Get a written proposal: materials and product line, underlayment, flashing and ventilation, tear-off and disposal, how rotten decking will be priced if found, permits and cleanup.
- Ask about warranties — manufacturer and workmanship — and what voids them.
- NRCA advises asking for copies of the contractor’s liability insurance and workers’ compensation certificates, and keeping “a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid” (NRCA).
- After storms, be wary of door-to-door crews, high-pressure signing and large payments up front (FTC).
What affects the cost
- Size and pitch of the roof, number of stories, and how complex it is (valleys, dormers, chimneys, skylights).
- Material: asphalt shingle, metal, tile, slate, or a membrane system.
- Tear-off: how many layers are coming off, and disposal.
- Decking repairs found once the old roof is off.
- Permits, ventilation upgrades and new flashing.
- Urgency: emergency repairs and tarping cost more than scheduled work.
DIY or pro — roofs and falls
Clearing gutters from a ladder and looking at the roof from the ground or with binoculars are owner jobs. Walking on a roof is not. OSHA calls falls “the leading cause of death in construction” — and that is among people trained and equipped for heights (OSHA).
Common questions
- Should I repair or replace my roof?
- Repair when the damage is localised and the rest of the roof is sound. Consider replacement when leaks recur in different places, shingles are failing across the roof, or the decking is soft.
- Does homeowners insurance cover roof repairs?
- Often for sudden damage from a covered event such as a storm; rarely for wear and age. Check your policy and document the damage before repairs.
- How long does it take to repair a roof?
- Most repairs take a single visit. Replacements depend on size, weather and what is found under the old roof; ask the roofer for a schedule.
- Do roofers charge more for emergency repairs?
- Usually. Emergency tarping and after-hours repairs cost more than scheduled work, and the permanent repair is usually priced separately.
- How often should a roof be inspected?
- NRCA’s magazine has advised at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall, and after severe weather. Flat commercial roofs especially benefit from a regular maintenance plan.
- How long does a flat roof last?
- It depends on the system, how it was installed and how it is maintained. Ask the contractor what the manufacturer’s warranty term is for the system proposed.
- What is the difference between TPO and EPDM?
- Both are single-ply membranes for low-slope roofs. EPDM is a synthetic rubber, usually black, with seams joined by adhesive or tape; TPO is a thermoplastic, usually white, with seams welded with hot air.
Related services
Sources
Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.
- National Roofing Contractors Association, Storm roof repairs (no date shown; read October 2026)
- Professional Roofing (NRCA), Tech Today: roof system maintenance inspections (April 1, 2012)
- National Roofing Contractors Association, Selecting a contractor (no date shown; read October 2026)
- Federal Trade Commission, How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters (modified April 28, 2026)
- OSHA, Stop Falls campaign (read October 2026)
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