What is Robson’s default approach — repair or replace?

Key takeaway

Repair makes sense when damage is localized and the roof has good years left. Replacement makes sense when problems are widespread, the roof is near the end of its life, or code forces it. A roof with one isolated leak and a decade of life left should be repaired, and we’ll say so.

There’s a real conflict of interest in this trade: replacement is the bigger sale. We handle it by leading with the roof’s actual condition. If you have a young roof and one flashing leak, the answer is a repair, and pushing a replacement would be wrong. We’ve told homeowners to tarp a roof and ride out the season before spending on a replacement that could wait. That’s the standard we hold.

When is roof repair the right call?

  • The damage is localized — a few displaced tiles, one section of flashing, a single penetration leaking.
  • The roof is young and otherwise sound — plenty of service life remaining.
  • It’s a newer (post-2007-code) roof with isolated storm damage — SB-4D generally lets you repair just the damaged area without replacing the whole roof.
  • The cause is a discrete failure — a backed-out fastener, a cracked boot, a lifted edge — not general wear.
RelatedThe 25% rule & SB-4D · Roof repair

When is roof replacement the right call?

  • Leaks in multiple places, or leaks that come back after repair — a sign the system, not a spot, is failing.
  • Age. A shingle roof past ~20 years, or any roof near the end of its rated life, is usually better replaced than repeatedly patched.
  • Widespread granule loss, brittle or curling shingles, soft decking — the covering is spent.
  • An older (pre-2007-code) roof with damage beyond 25% — code may require full replacement.
  • You keep paying for repairs. At some point repair money is better put toward a roof that resets the clock.
  • A flat section that ponds. Standing water shortens any membrane; when a low-slope section is done, the fix is a flat roof replacement that corrects the slope — not another patch over the puddle.

What should you do if your roof is actively leaking right now?

An active leak is a different conversation from a planned replacement. The first priority is stopping water from getting in and doing more damage. Sometimes that means a proper temporary cover (a real tarp job, done right) while we assess and plan the permanent fix. We don’t promise 24/7 emergency service we can’t reliably deliver, but we move quickly on active leaks and we’ll be straight with you about timing.

Diagram of the six-stage permit and inspection sequence for a roof replacement, from permit application through to permit close-out.
What a permitted replacement looks like, start to close-out. Open full size
RelatedRoof replacement

Frequently asked questions

My roof leaks — do I definitely need a new roof?
Not necessarily. A single, localized leak on a roof with good life left is usually a repair. A new roof is warranted when leaks are widespread or recurring, the roof is near end-of-life, or code requires it. We diagnose the cause before recommending the scope.
How long should my roof last?
In South Florida, roughly 18–25 years for asphalt shingle, 30–50+ for tile, and 40–50+ for our standing-seam metal. Real lifespan depends on install quality, maintenance, and storm exposure — not just the material.
Will you really tell me to repair instead of replace?
Yes. If the roof has good years left and the damage is localized, repair is the honest recommendation and that’s what you’ll get. Replacement is the bigger job, but it’s not always the right one.
Can I repair a roof that's almost out of warranty/life?
You can, but it’s often throwing good money after bad. If a roof is near the end of its life and starting to fail in more than one place, repair money is usually better applied toward a replacement. We’ll lay out both costs so you can decide.
Does a repair affect my insurance or code obligations?
A repair still has to use approved products and be permitted when the scope requires it. On a newer roof, SB-4D generally lets you repair the damaged portion without a full replacement. We factor your roof’s code era into the recommendation.

The right answer is whatever’s actually true about your roof. We’ll inspect, show you what we see, and recommend the smaller job when the smaller job is right.