Roofing5 min read
Almost every roofing call we take starts with the same question: does this need repairing or replacing? The honest answer depends on five things, and none of them are visible from the driveway.
First, age and material. An asphalt shingle roof in northern New Hampshire works hard. Ice, snow load, and freeze-thaw cycles shorten the life of a roof compared to milder parts of the country, so a roof in its twenties is usually closer to replacement than repair even if it looks acceptable from the ground.
Second, the deck underneath. Soft or spongy sheathing means water has been sitting where it should not be. Shingles can be swapped out; a compromised deck has to be opened up and repaired, and that changes the conversation entirely.
Third, how widespread the problem is. One damaged section around a valley or a chimney is a repair. Granule loss, curling, and lifting across several planes is the roof telling you it is finished.
Fourth, flashing and ventilation. A surprising number of leaks are not shingle failures at all — they are flashing details and poor ventilation causing condensation and ice dams. Fixing those is cheaper than a new roof and, if they are ignored, they will shorten the life of a new roof too.
Fifth, your plans. If you intend to sell in two years, a well-executed repair may be the right call. If this is the house you are staying in, spending once and correctly usually costs less over ten years.
We will tell you which category your roof falls into, in writing, and we do not sell replacements to people who need repairs. If you are unsure, call us and we will take a look.
