Roofing

Water is dripping through your ceiling when it rains hard. You've put buckets out but you're worried about damage to your walls and furniture.

Stop the immediate leak with tarps or buckets, then get up there to look for missing shingles or damaged flashing. Don't wait - water damage gets expensive fast. A roofing contractor can do emergency repairs even in bad weather.

You got quotes for both fixing your roof and replacing it. The repair seems cheap but you're worried you'll just need to replace it next year anyway.

If your roof is over 15 years old or has damage covering more than 30% of the surface, replacement usually makes more financial sense. Factor in how long you plan to stay in the house and whether repairs come with any warranty.

Your roof has problems but you're not sure if you need the whole thing replaced. One contractor says repair it, another says replace it. You don't know who to believe.

If damage covers more than 30% of your roof or your roof is over 15 years old, replacement usually makes more sense. Repairs work for localized damage on newer roofs. Get a second opinion that includes checking the decking underneath.

You noticed shingles in your yard after the last storm. There are bare spots on your roof. You're worried about water damage but don't know if this needs immediate attention.

Missing shingles expose the underlayment to direct weather. Even a few missing shingles can let water into your attic within days. Get a roofing contractor to inspect and patch the exposed areas before the next rain.

You're getting ready to sell your house. The roof looks okay but it's getting old. You don't know if a new roof will pay for itself in the sale price.

A roof over 20 years old will likely come up in the home inspection and hurt your negotiating position. In Ohio's market, a new roof typically returns 60-70% of its cost in home value, plus it prevents buyer walkaway during negotiations.

Your roof is getting old but not leaking yet. You're not sure if you should replace it now or wait until there's a problem. You don't want to waste money but also don't want emergency repairs.

Asphalt shingles typically last 20-25 years in Ohio weather. If your roof is over 18 years old, start planning replacement within 2-3 years. Waiting for leaks often means interior damage that costs more than the roof itself.

You need a new roof but you're worried about being exposed to weather for weeks. You don't know how long to plan for the disruption.

Most residential roof replacements take 2-5 days depending on size and weather. Single story ranch might be done in two days. Two story colonial with multiple angles takes longer. Good roofers tarp everything at night so you're never exposed overnight.

You have a few loose or missing shingles. It doesn't seem like a huge job. You're wondering if you can just buy some shingles and do it yourself this weekend.

Replacing a few shingles is doable if you're comfortable on a ladder and can match the existing shingles exactly. But if the roof is steep, over two stories, or if you find rotted decking underneath, call a roofer. Poor DIY work often creates bigger leaks than the original problem.