Guide
Repair or replace your roof?
Not every leak means a new roof, and not every repair is money well spent. Here is how to tell which way your roof is heading.
Signs to look for
Usually repairable
- A leak from one source: a vent boot, a lifted shingle, flashing at a wall or chimney
- Wind damage to a small area of an otherwise sound roof
- Clogged valleys or gutters backing water up under the edge
- A single damaged section on a low-slope porch roof
Usually time to replace
- Granule loss, curling and cracking spread over the whole roof
- Several leaks, or the same leak returning after repairs
- Soft or sagging decking, or daylight showing in the attic
- Two layers of shingles already on the roof
- An inspection giving the roof only a few years of life
What New Jersey rules change
In New Jersey, repairing or replacing the roof covering on a detached one- or two-family home is ordinary maintenance, so neither a repair nor a full replacement needs a permit (DCA). That keeps the decision about the roof, not the paperwork.
Two rules matter either way. A home improvement contractor must be registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs, and a contract above a small amount has to be in writing, with three business days to cancel after you receive your copy (consumer brief).
On the call
Questions to ask the contractor
- What exactly is failing, and can you show me photos?
- How many years will the roof last if it is repaired?
- What would a repair cost, and what would a replacement cost?
- Is there more than one layer of shingles on the roof now?
- Is the decking sound, and how would you know before tear-off?
Questions
Repair or replace: common questions
Is a 20-year-old roof worth repairing?
Age alone does not decide it. A roof in fair shape with one damaged spot may be worth repairing; one that is worn everywhere usually is not. Ask the contractor for an honest estimate of the years left after a repair.
Can I patch now and replace later?
Often, if the patch fixes the actual cause and is not hiding a wider problem. It is reasonable to ask for both a repair price and a replacement price.
Will the contractors I reach do small repairs?
They focus on full replacements and new roofs. If your roof only needs a small fix, a repair-focused roofer may suit you better.
Leaning toward a new roof?
Talk with a roofing contractor who works in Toms River
A call connects you with an independent roofing contractor serving Toms River, Brick, Berkeley Township, Manchester and Beachwood. Ask them to inspect the roof and price a full replacement.
Planning a new roof? Talk it through with a local contractor.
Your call is connected to an independent roofing contractor that works in your part of Ocean County.
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