Shingle damage types we repair
Wind damage
Wind events lift shingle tabs above the breakaway force of the factory adhesive strip. Tabs that lift do not always tear free — they reset into approximately the original position with broken adhesive bonds. The visible roof appears intact, but the underlayment is exposed and water intrusion follows during the next rain. Wind damage repair involves identifying all affected tabs (often more than the visually-obvious ones), resetting lifted tabs with manual asphalt cement application, and replacing torn or missing tabs with color-matched stock.
Hail damage
Hailstones fracture the shingle mat below the granule layer. Granules dislodge in a circular bruise pattern, exposing the asphalt mat. The shingle continues functioning for months or years before the mat fully fails. Hail damage repair requires careful identification of all affected shingles — bruises are often invisible from ground level — followed by replacement of damaged shingles. Drone overhead survey is standard for hail damage assessment on steep-pitch roofs.
Age-related wear
Shingles age in predictable patterns: granule loss accelerates after year 12-15, tab adhesion weakens after year 15-18, and mat brittleness increases after year 18-20. Age-related repair addresses isolated failures on roofs that still have substantial remaining lifespan — typically slope-section replacement on the most-exposed slope while preserving less-exposed slopes for several more years.
Impact damage
Tree limbs, falling ice from adjacent roofs, errant baseballs, and similar discrete impacts produce localized shingle damage. Impact repair scope depends on whether the impact penetrated through the shingle layer to the underlayment or deck. Surface-only damage requires shingle replacement; through-damage requires deck assessment and possibly underlayment work.
Animal damage
Squirrels, raccoons, and certain bird species can damage shingles at vent caps, ridge vents, and soffit openings — typically while seeking attic entry. Repair involves shingle replacement plus exclusion work to prevent recurrence (gauge wire mesh, sealed entry points).
The repair process
Assessment
Identify all affected shingles — drone or walk-over depending on pitch. Document for insurance if storm-event correlated.
Source Materials
Match shingle product, color line, and lot when possible. Carrier-stocked colors complete same-day; special-order colors require 3-7 day lead time.
Remove Damaged
Lift surrounding shingle courses to release the damaged shingle from the adhesive strip below. Remove damaged shingles, inspect underlayment.
Underlayment Assessment
Verify underlayment integrity. Patch with WIP ice-and-water shield if damage extends below the shingle layer.
Install Replacement
Install replacement shingles in proper overlap pattern. Apply manual asphalt cement under each replacement tab to seal during the first thermal cycle.
Cleanup & Documentation
Magnetic sweep for removed fasteners. Photographic documentation of completed work. Insurance documentation package if applicable.
Shingle products we work with
Material match is critical for both functional and warranty reasons. Mixing manufacturers on the same slope can void manufacturer warranties on the surrounding shingles. Standard product lines we carry or stock-source:
| Manufacturer | Standard Architectural | Premium Architectural | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAF | Timberline HDZ | Camelot II, Grand Canyon, Slateline | Industry-leading market share; widest stocked color range |
| Owens Corning | Duration | Berkshire, Woodmoor | SureNail technology; strong Class H 130-mph wind ratings |
| CertainTeed | Landmark | Presidential, Belmont, Grand Manor | Strong color palette; long warranty terms |
| Atlas | Pinnacle Pristine | StormMaster Slate, Castlebrook | Scotchgard algae resistance; competitive pricing |
| IKO | Cambridge | Royal Estate, Nordic | Strong in northern markets; good ice-dam resistance |
| Tamko | Heritage | Heritage Premium | Strong in Midwest and South Central markets |
Color matching reality
Asphalt shingles weather over time. UV exposure, temperature cycling, and granule shed all change the visible color. New shingles installed alongside aged shingles will not match exactly until the new shingles weather for 6-18 months — and even then, perfect color match on roofs over 5 years old is rare. Three approaches exist:
Accept the visible difference
Most economical option for repairs in non-prominent locations (back slope, hidden by tree cover from street view). Functional repair is complete; cosmetic match develops over 1-2 years of weathering.
Source color-matched lot from manufacturer
For repairs in highly-visible locations, a color-matched bundle from the manufacturer can be sourced. The match accounts for current production batch color but does not match the weathering of the existing roof. Improves the cosmetic outcome by 30-50%.
Replace full slope or front-facing area
For repairs in the most prominent locations on a roof past 50% of its expected lifespan, replacing an entire slope (or the front-facing area) eliminates the color-mismatch issue entirely. The replacement slope ages naturally going forward; the existing slopes continue weathering at their current rate. Cost is higher but the cosmetic outcome is consistent.
Partial repair vs full slope replacement
| Condition | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Single damaged shingle, low-prominence location | Targeted replacement, accept color difference |
| 5-15 damaged shingles in a small area | Targeted replacement, manufacturer-sourced match |
| Damaged area exceeds 20% of one slope | Slope-section replacement |
| Multiple slopes with separate damage | Per-slope assessment; insurance-covered events typically replace all affected slopes together |
| Roof past 80% of expected lifespan with active damage | Quote both targeted repair and full replacement; the math often favors replacement |
| Storm-event damage covered by insurance | Insurance scope determines partial vs full; carrier may approve full slope or full roof depending on damage extent |
Cost ranges
| Repair Scope | National Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Single shingle replacement | $200 – $400 (often combined with diagnostic visit) |
| 5-15 shingles, small area | $400 – $900 |
| 50-100 sq ft of shingles, single slope | $900 – $1,800 |
| Full slope replacement, 800-1,200 sq ft | $3,500 – $7,500 |
| Full slope replacement with underlayment, 800-1,200 sq ft | $4,500 – $9,500 |
| Ridge cap replacement (full ridge) | $650 – $1,400 |
| Wind-damage tab re-sealing (50+ tabs reset, no replacement) | $450 – $850 |
Warranty and lifespan
Workmanship warranty: 1 year on all shingle repair work performed. Workmanship covers installation defects — improperly nailed shingles, missing sealant, incorrect overlap. It does not cover storm damage or material defects.
Material warranty: pass-through from the shingle manufacturer. GAF, Owens Corning, CertainTeed, and Atlas all carry limited lifetime warranties on architectural shingles, with prorated coverage decreasing after the first 10-15 years. Material defect claims are filed directly with the manufacturer.
Wind warranty: shingle wind warranty terms vary by product and class. Class H 130-mph rated shingles carry stronger wind warranty terms than Class D 90-mph rated products. Specific terms are documented on the manufacturer warranty card.
Frequently asked questions
How long do asphalt shingles last?
Standard 3-tab asphalt shingles last 18-22 years on average. Architectural shingles (GAF Timberline HDZ, Owens Corning Duration, CertainTeed Landmark) last 25-30 years. Premium architectural shingles (GAF Camelot, CertainTeed Presidential) last 30-40 years. Actual lifespan varies by climate, ventilation, installation quality, and slope orientation.
Can damaged shingles be replaced individually?
Yes. Individual or small-section replacement is the standard approach for wind damage, hail damage, and isolated failures. Color matching becomes more difficult as the surrounding shingles age — replacements on roofs over 5 years old are typically visible from ground level. The functional repair is complete; cosmetic match requires larger-section replacement.
Why do my shingles look different colors after repair?
Asphalt shingles weather over time — UV exposure, temperature cycling, and granule shed all change the visible color. New shingles installed alongside aged shingles will not match exactly until the new shingles weather for 6-18 months. Even then, perfect color match on roofs over 5 years old is rare. The trade-off is functional repair cost vs full slope replacement cost; most homeowners accept the cosmetic difference.
How can I tell if my shingles are damaged?
Visible indicators include lifted, cracked, or missing tabs; granule accumulation in gutters; circular bruise patterns from hail; tab curling or cupping from heat fatigue; and exposed underlayment beneath any displaced shingle. Active leaking is the most reliable indicator. Hail damage often requires close inspection or drone overhead survey to identify.
Do you replace shingles on steep roofs?
Yes. Steep-pitch roofs (6:12 and above) require fall-protection harness setup, anchor points rated for 5,000 lb arrest force, and sometimes roof-jack staging. Time on-site increases by 30-50% versus accessible roofs, and cost reflects the additional setup. Drone overhead survey replaces walk-over inspection on steep-pitch roofs.
Will insurance cover my shingle replacement?
Coverage depends on causation. Storm-correlated damage (wind, hail, falling object) is typically covered. Age-related wear and gradual deterioration are excluded. We provide insurance documentation with every paid repair so you can submit the claim if applicable.
Should I match the manufacturer of my existing shingles?
Yes whenever possible. Mixing shingle manufacturers on the same slope can void manufacturer warranties on the existing shingles. We identify the existing shingle product before sourcing materials and match manufacturer, product line, and color where stock is available.