The short answer
Most roofs do not need replacing. A single leak, a few missing shingles, a cracked pipe boot or failed flashing is a repair. Replacement makes sense when the shingles are near the end of their life, damage is spread across the roof, the decking is soft in many places, or leaks keep coming back.
By the Roofing & Gutter Ethics team. Updated November 2026.
Usually a repair
- One leak at a pipe boot, vent or chimney
- A few shingles blown off in a storm
- Failed flashing at a wall or skylight
- Missing kick-out flashing
- A small area of soft decking
Usually a replacement
- Shingles that are 20 years old or more and losing granules across every slope
- Widespread curling, cracking or bald spots
- Hail or wind damage on many slopes
- Soft decking in several areas
- Leaks in different places that keep coming back after repairs
- Two layers of shingles already on the roof
Not sure what you are looking at? A free inspection gets you photos of everything we find, yours to keep.
Book a free inspectionHow to know for sure
Ask for an inspection with photos of every slope, not a verdict from the driveway. The honest answer is sometimes a small repair. We inspect first, show you what we find, and tell you when you do not need the work.