The honest answer depends on how much of the roof is affected and how much life the rest of it has left.
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Repair when the problem is limited to one spot (a lifted shingle, a cracked vent boot, loose flashing) and the rest of the roof is sound. Replace when wear or hail damage covers most of the roof, leaks show up in several places, the decking is soft, or there are already two layers of shingles.
| Usually a repair | Usually a replacement |
|---|---|
| A few missing or wind-lifted shingles | Shingles brittle, curling or bare across the whole roof |
| A leak at one flashing, chimney or vent boot | Leaks in more than one area |
| Damage on one slope | Hail damage on most slopes |
| Solid decking | Soft or sagging decking |
| One layer of shingles | Two layers already in place |
Small repairs often don’t need a permit, but the cutoff differs: Irving exempts repairs of 100 square feet or less, Richardson up to 25% of the roof, Arlington up to 10%, and Sachse up to five squares (500 square feet). Garland requires a permit once a repair is worth $2,000, and Coppell and Hickory Creek list roof repairs among work that needs one. See roofing permits in DFW cities.
If a storm caused the damage, your insurer decides whether it pays for a repair or a replacement, depending on how much of the roof is damaged. Matching matters too: if your shingles are no longer made, a patch may not match.
If a repair will do, that’s what we quote, and we’ll tell you why when a replacement makes more sense. See roof repair and roof replacement.
A repair is cheaper today. If the roof is worn out across the board, though, repeated repairs can cost more than a replacement over a few years.
Sometimes, if damage is limited to one slope and matching shingles are available. Otherwise the new section may not match.
It depends on the city. Irving, Richardson, Arlington and Sachse exempt small repairs; Coppell and Hickory Creek require permits for roof repairs.
This guide is general information for Texas homeowners, not legal or insurance advice. Your policy, your city and your house decide the details.
