Roof answers
Straight answers about your roof
No sales pitch, no jargon. These are the questions homeowners ask us most, answered the way we'd answer a neighbour standing in the driveway.
Do I need a new roof or just a repair?
A repair is usually enough when the damage is limited to one area, the roof is under about 15 years old, and the shingles elsewhere are still flat and intact. Replacement makes more sense when damage is spread across multiple slopes, the roof is near the end of its life, or there is already more than one layer of shingles.
Read the full answerHow long does a roof last in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, a standard asphalt shingle roof usually lasts 18 to 25 years, architectural shingles 25 to 30, metal 40 to 70, and slate or tile well beyond 50. Freeze-thaw cycling, ice dams and summer hail typically pull those numbers toward the lower end of each range.
Read the full answerWhat does hail damage look like on a roof?
Hail damage on asphalt shingles looks like random dark bruises where granules have been knocked away, exposing the black mat underneath. The marks are soft to the touch, scattered rather than in lines, and usually appear alongside dents on gutters, downspouts, vents and any metal flashing.
Read the full answerWhat does a new roof cost in the Milwaukee area?
Most Milwaukee-area homeowners pay roughly $9,000 to $20,000 for an asphalt shingle roof replacement on an average single-family home, with smaller simple roofs landing lower and large or complex roofs going higher. Metal, cedar and slate cost considerably more. Tear-off, deck repairs and roof complexity drive most of the variation.
Read the full answerDoes insurance cover storm damage to my roof in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin homeowners policies generally cover sudden storm damage from hail and wind, subject to your deductible. They generally do not cover wear and tear, age, poor maintenance or slow leaks. Claims usually must be filed within one to two years of the storm date, so documenting damage early matters.
Read the full answerHow do I check my roof without climbing up?
You can assess a roof safely from the ground: photograph each side of the house straight on from 20 to 30 feet back, take close-ups of the gutters, vents and any damaged area, and check ceilings and the attic inside for stains. Never walk on a roof — it is dangerous and can cause the damage you are looking for.
Read the full answerWhat does wind damage to a roof look like?
Wind damage usually shows as missing shingles, tabs lifted or curled along the edges, horizontal creases across shingles that were bent back and laid down again, exposed nail heads, and torn or lifted flashing. Damage often starts at the roof edges, ridges and corners, where wind pressure is highest.
Read the full answerHow much does roof leak repair cost?
Most roof leak repairs cost between $400 and $1,500. A simple fix — resealing flashing, replacing a vent boot or a few shingles — usually runs $200 to $600. Leaks that have soaked the decking, chimney or valley work, and repairs needing scaffolding or steep-slope access typically run $1,000 to $2,500.
Read the full answerHow much does a roof inspection cost?
Most roofing contractors inspect a roof for free, because they hope to win the work. An independent inspection by someone with nothing to sell typically costs $150 to $400, a drone inspection $150 to $350, and a full inspection inside a home inspection report $300 to $600. A photo-based check online is free.
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