Shingle repair in Sunnyvale, CA

Shingle repair means replacing or resealing shingles that are missing, cracked, curled or lifted, so water can no longer reach the layers underneath. Small repairs on an otherwise healthy roof are common. Waiting is what turns a few damaged shingles into leaks, wet wood and a larger job.

How an asphalt shingle roof keeps water out

A shingle roof isn't one waterproof sheet. It is a stack of layers, and each one has a job:

• Roof deck. The wood base everything is fastened to.
• Underlayment. A water-resistant layer over the deck. It is the backup if water gets past the shingles.
• Shingles. They overlap from the bottom edge upward, so water runs over each one and onto the next.
• Sealant strips. A line of adhesive on each shingle that bonds it to the one below, which keeps wind from lifting the tabs.
• Granules. The gritty surface that shields the asphalt from the sun.

When shingles go missing or crack, rain reaches the underlayment, which wasn't designed to take weather by itself for long. That is why even a few damaged shingles matter.

Signs your shingles need repair

Most of these can be spotted from the ground. Binoculars help, and so does a phone camera with zoom.

This table is general guidance. Damage that sits above a bedroom ceiling or near a chimney can be more urgent than the same damage elsewhere. If you already see ceiling stains below a damaged area, mention it when you call.

What damages shingles

• Wind. Gusts lift tabs, especially where the sealant strip has dried out, and can tear shingles off completely.
• Sun and age. Years of ultraviolet light and daily heat make asphalt dry and brittle. Sunnyvale's long dry, sunny months add up over the life of a roof.
• Attic heat. A poorly ventilated attic bakes the roof from below and can curl shingles early.
• Impact. Falling branches, hard-landing debris and heavy foot traffic crack or bruise shingles.
• Installation problems. Nails driven too high, too few nails, or shingles laid crooked can make a roof fail early.

Spot repair or full replacement?

Replacing a few shingles works well when the damage is in one area and the surrounding shingles are still flexible. It stops working when the whole surface is tired.

• Repair usually fits when a storm took a few shingles, a branch cracked a patch, or a vent area needs reworking.
• Ask about replacement when damage shows up across several slopes, shingles are brittle and snap when touched, large areas have lost their granules, or the same spot keeps failing.

Brittleness matters because old shingles can crack when we lift them to reach the ones underneath. We will tell you if that risk is high. For a broader side-by-side view, see how repair compares with replacement.

How shingle replacement is done

1. Inspect the area around the damage, not only the damaged shingles. Nearby nails, sealant and flashing tell you how far the problem spreads.
2. Free the damaged shingle. We lift the shingles above it, break the sealant bond and remove the nails.
3. Check what's underneath. Wet or damaged underlayment or soft wood needs to be fixed before new shingles go on.
4. Slide in the new shingle and fasten it with nails placed so the course above covers them.
5. Seal the tabs. Roofing adhesive is applied where the original sealant strips can't bond, so the repair holds in wind.
6. Clean up. Old shingle pieces and loose nails come off the roof and out of your yard and gutters.

Shingles also meet metal flashing at walls and chimneys, and those joints are a common source of leaks that look like shingle problems. A good inspection checks both.

Puncture repair

Holes in a shingle roof usually come from a branch, a removed antenna or satellite dish mount, or equipment that was taken off the roof and left unsealed. Small punctures can often be fixed by replacing the shingle and sealing the fastener holes. If a mount or pipe is still in place, the seal around it has to be rebuilt too, or the leak returns. Leave any hole you find, large or small, to us or another qualified roofer instead of filling it with caulk yourself.

After a windy or stormy day

Walk around the house and look up. Check for shingles on the ground, bare patches, lifted tabs, damaged gutters and debris in the valleys. Photograph everything you see, before anything is moved or repaired, since photos can help if you contact your insurer.

If shingles are gone and rain is on the way, ask about temporary roof covers after storm damage. Don't climb up to check. Wet shingles are slippery.

Shingle types and matching

Most asphalt shingle roofs use one of two styles. Three-tab shingles are thinner and flat, with a uniform look. Architectural or dimensional shingles are thicker and layered for a textured look. Repairs use the same style as your roof.

Matching color can be tricky. Shingles fade as they weather, and manufacturers discontinue colors, so new shingles often look slightly different at first. We will pick the closest match, and the difference usually softens over time.

Have a clay or concrete roof instead? That is a different repair. See what applies to a tile roof rather than asphalt shingles.

What affects the cost of shingle repair

This site doesn't quote prices. These factors change the number:

• How much is damaged. A handful of shingles is a smaller job than a whole section.
• Shingle style and availability. Hard-to-match or discontinued shingles can take more effort.
• Roof pitch and access. Steep or tall roofs need more safety gear and time.
• What's underneath. Damaged underlayment or wet wood adds work.
• Extras. Ridge caps, vent boots or flashing found in poor condition during the repair.
• Timing. Rush work before a storm or a temporary cover adds a step.

What to ask any roofer

• How many shingles need to be replaced, and why those?
• Are the surrounding shingles flexible enough to repair safely?
• Will the underlayment and wood underneath be checked?
• How will the new shingles be matched?
• Will the work come with a written workmanship warranty, and who removes the debris?

Questions about this repair