Repair or Replace? How We Assess Your Roof, and Storm Damage Signs You Can See From the Ground

First, stay off the roof

Never go up on your own roof. Leave that to a professional. Everything on this page is something you can check from the ground. A professional should always do the full assessment.

Should I repair or replace my roof?

We start with an overall assessment. Age alone doesn’t decide it. We’ve seen 25-year-old roofs that look new and 3-year-old roofs that look 20.

On every assessment, we look for three things:

1. Premature deterioration: a roof wearing out faster than it should.
2. Storm damage: hail and wind damage.
3. Improper installation: shingles or components that weren’t put on the way the manufacturer requires.

What we find tells us whether a repair makes sense or the roof needs to be replaced.

When do you recommend a repair?

We recommend a repair when a repair is truly needed and possible. For example, a roof that is still pliable and was installed correctly, or a pipe boot that can be fixed with a cover instead of tearing into the shingles.

When do you recommend replacing the roof?

We replace when the roof was installed wrong, or when it has aged to the point where a repair would damage the shingles.

We never recommend repairing an improperly installed roof. It keeps leaking because it was installed wrong, and the homeowner ends up calling us back again and again.

Repair or replace at a glance

See our roof repair and roof replacement services, and the Triad roof replacement cost guide if you’re weighing a new roof.

Can a newer roof still need to be replaced?

Yes. A roof’s age doesn’t tell the whole story. We’ve seen 3-year-old roofs that look 20, and improper installation is one of the big reasons.

What roof problems do you see most in the Triad?

We’ve done well over 1,000 roofs each in High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem. The same three things come up again and again:

• 3-tab shingles. Lots of Triad homes have them. They’re builder-grade, entry-level shingles, and they aren’t built for high winds. We don’t install 3-tab at all anymore.
• Improperly installed roofs. Far too many, including racked shingles (more on that below).
• Older roofs. A lot of roofs here are simply aging out.

What is shingle racking, and why does it cause leaks?

Shingles must be installed in the stair-step method, not the racking method. Manufacturers specifically say not to rack.

In our experience, racking creates vertical joint lines straight up and down the roof. Water runs straight down the roof, so it accumulates in those shingle joints. Small, repeated accumulation becomes a substantial leak.

For the full explanation, read our post: Racking vs. Stair-Step Shingle Installation: Why It Causes Leaks.

What is the stair-step method?

Stair-step is the installation method manufacturers call for. Here’s how we do it:

1. Install the starter course.
2. Row 1: start with a full shingle at one end.
3. Row 2: cut 6″ off (on the opposite side from where the shingles butt together).
4. Row 3: cut 12″.
5. Row 4: cut 18″.
6. Row 5: cut 24″.
7. Row 6: cut 30″.
8. Row 7: use the 6″ piece.
9. Then repeat.

Each row is offset from the one below it, so the joints never line up straight up the roof.

Can I tell if my roof was racked?

Racking is hard to see on a new roof. As the shingles age, you can clearly see vertical lines from the ground if you know what to look for, and they get more pronounced with age.

What hail damage signs can I see from the ground?

You don’t need to get on the roof to spot signs of a hail storm. From the ground, look for collateral damage:

• Dents on downspouts, gutters and other soft metals. If your gutters took the hit, we make custom gutters in-house.
• Shredded plants and bushes.
• Hail marks on wood decks, windows and trim. Hail marks the wood on outdoor decks and can damage the stain.

If you see these around your home, the roof may have been hit too. A professional should always do the full assessment.

What about wind damage?

Look for creased or missing shingles. Also watch for shingles that blew up and lay back down. When that happens, it breaks the factory sealant, so those shingles may never seal correctly again. That’s hard to judge from the ground, which is one more reason a professional should do the full assessment.

What happens during a storm damage assessment?

We start at the perimeter: gutters, window trim, downspouts, and wood decks after hail. We take the same set of photos every time, to keep it simple and consistent.

We usually check the attic to confirm whether the roof has solid sheathing or spaced boards, so we know in advance and can let you know.

If the roof is walkable and accessible, we always do a thorough on-roof inspection. We also use a drone for overview photos, including a big overview of all slopes, sometimes after we chalk-mark the damage.

Inspections are free. There’s a charge only if you want a written inspection report and don’t hire us. If you hire us later, that fee is credited toward your repair or replacement.

We document damage with photos. If you file a claim with your insurance company, we can be there when your adjuster inspects, to point out the roof damage. You work with your own insurance company on your claim.

Is your roof leaking right now?

Call us. We’re open 24/7, and storms sometimes come out of nowhere, so our trucks always carry tarps. See emergency roof repair.

Why Statewide Roofing Specialist?

• Founded in 2012, with 10,000+ projects since 2012.
• Well over 1,000 roofs each in High Point, Greensboro and Winston-Salem.
• GAF Master Elite, a certification held by the top 2% of roofing contractors.
• Award-winning, including the Angi Super Service Award (multiple years).
• Open 24/7.

Roofing services across the Triad

From a single repair to a full replacement, one team handles it:

• Roof replacement: full tear-off and a complete system, from architectural shingles to standing seam metal.
• Roof repair: when a repair is truly needed and possible.
• Roof inspections and drone roof inspections: free, with the same set of photos every time.
• Emergency roof repair: we’re open 24/7, and our trucks always carry tarps.
• Shingle roofing and metal roofing.
• Custom gutters: we make custom gutters in-house.
• Roof financing through Improvifi.

We serve homeowners throughout the Triad, including High Point, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Lexington, Kernersville, Jamestown, Thomasville and Clemmons.

Call the office nearest you, 24/7: High Point 336-936-5245, Winston-Salem 336-936-5692, Lexington 336-438-8705.

Have a professional look at your roof

Seeing dents on your downspouts or shredded plants after a storm, or just not sure whether to repair or replace? Stay off the roof and call our High Point office at 336-936-5245 for a free inspection. We’re open 24/7.

Call 336-936-5245

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I go up on my roof to check for storm damage?

No. Never go up on your own roof. Check from the ground and have a professional do the full assessment.

Does roof age decide whether I repair or replace?

No. We’ve seen 25-year-old roofs that look new and 3-year-old roofs that look 20. We start with an overall assessment.

What do you look for in a roof assessment?

Premature deterioration, storm damage and improper installation.

When do you recommend a repair instead of a replacement?

When a repair is truly needed and possible, like a pliable, correctly installed roof or a pipe boot that can be fixed with a cover. We never recommend repairing an improperly installed roof, because it keeps leaking.

What is shingle racking?

An installation method that manufacturers specifically say not to use. It creates vertical joint lines straight up and down the roof, where water accumulates until it becomes a substantial leak. Shingles should be installed in the stair-step method. Racking is hard to see on a new roof, but the vertical lines get more pronounced from the ground as the shingles age.

How can I tell if hail hit my house?

From the ground, look for dents on downspouts and other soft metals, shredded plants and bushes, and hail marks on wood decks, windows and trim.

What are signs of wind damage?

Creased or missing shingles, and shingles that blew up and lay back down. That breaks the factory sealant, so they may never seal correctly again.

Is the inspection free?

Yes. There’s a charge only if you want a written inspection report and don’t hire us. If you hire us later, that fee is credited toward your repair or replacement.

Can you be there when my insurance adjuster inspects?

Yes. We document damage with photos and can be there when your adjuster inspects to point out the roof damage. You work with your own insurance company on your claim.

Can a racked roof be repaired?

We never recommend repairing an improperly installed roof. It keeps leaking because it was installed wrong. When a roof was installed wrong, we recommend replacing it.

My roof is leaking after a storm. What should I do?

Stay off the roof and call us. We’re open 24/7, and our trucks always carry tarps.

Do you check the attic?

Usually, yes. We check whether the roof has solid sheathing or spaced boards, so we know in advance and can let you know.

Do you use drones for roof inspections?

Yes. We use a drone for overview photos, including a big overview of all slopes.

What does a new roof cost if I need to replace it?

For a 2,000 sq ft house, Basic typically runs $8,500 to $10,500, Standard $10,000 to $13,000, and Premium $12,000 to $16,000. Your exact price depends on your roof.

Can you replace hail-damaged gutters?

Yes. We make custom gutters in-house.