Should you repair, patch, or replace your roof
Roofing projects tend to be pretty expensive, even for a simple repair or patch. When deciding on what to do, it's essential to consider all factors.
How bad is the issue?
When you speak to your contractor, please provide them with as much information as possible. Now you don't need to know everything about the issue; that's what you hired them for, but it helps.
How old is your roof?
The age of your roof determines a lot. The overall brittleness of your shingles will ultimately select the type of repair you will have to do. A crumbling shingle is very difficult to work with, and in most cases, you can't even move those shingles without damaging the area even more. In these cases, caulking is usually your only option. Total replacement is typically a suggestion if that doesn't fix the issue.
Missing Shingles?
Sometimes shingles blow off the roof, which can be for several different reasons. Most of the time, the wind is the reason, but the incorrect installation could be a factor. Maybe you have a very steep roof and gravity and time allowed the shingle to break free from the nails. Either way, these shingles can be repaired most of the time, but only if the surrounding shingles are in good condition.
Is the leak around a vent or pipe?
In some cases, a vent or pipe might be damaged by impact or old age, specifically to the rubber membrane of a pipe boot. Sometimes a leak can find its way underneath one of the nails securing these items to the surface. A bit of caulk over an exposed nail head usually fixes the issue. A dry rotted and cracked rubber membrane around a pipe boot suggests replacing the boot with a new one or swapping out a damaged vent. These repairs are pretty straightforward, so if your issue is around these areas, it's a quick and easy fix just as long as the shingles in the surrounding area are in good condition.
Leaking Chimney
One of the most vulnerable areas on the roof is the chimney. Many factors need to be taken into consideration when assessing a problematic chimney.
Is there step flashing? Step flashing ensures that water is directed away from the wall and ends up in the gutter. It's installed in steps, with layers of shingles between, so that the water pours down each step and down the roof. Counter-flashing: Counter-flashing is often used to flash chimneys.
Is there Counter Flashing? If so, is it secured to the wall correctly? Counter-flashing is designed to prevent moisture from entering behind the vertical flange of headwall or sidewall flashing. Sometimes, the exterior wall-covering material serves as the counter-flashing, and sometimes a separate counter-flashing might be installed.
Are the mortar joints intact? Crumbling mortar or missing mortar within the joints is an open wound and can certainly take on water.
Is the chimney cap in good condition? There are often cracks in the chimney cap, and these can also take on water.
All of the factors mentioned above are all things to consider before deciding whether to repair, patch, or replace your roof. Maybe it comes down to money; after all, roof replacement is expensive, and you very well may not be in the position to take on this expense. It would be best to confide in your contractor to give the most reasonable solution and ask them to consider all your situation factors.