Next free inspection Tue 11:30
02 · Repairs & leak tracing
We fix where the water gets in
Most leaks are not where the stain is. We trace the water from the ceiling back to the flashing, vent boot or valley that is letting it in, fix that, and send you photos of before and after.
(Who it is for)
Where roof leaks usually start
In our repair logs, the same handful of details cause most leaks. Shingles in the open field of a slope are rarely the problem.
Pipe boots
The rubber collar around plumbing vents cracks in the sun after 10 to 15 years. The most common leak we fix.
Step flashing at walls
Where a roof meets a wall or dormer. Often face-nailed and caulked instead of woven in, and it fails when the caulk does.
Chimneys
Counter flashing pulled out of the mortar, or a mortar fillet instead of flashing at all.
Valleys
Where two slopes meet and carry the most water. Debris, worn shingles and nails driven too close to the centre.
Skylights
Old flashing kits, or sealant used as flashing. See ventilation and skylights.
Ice dams
Winter leaks at the eaves, caused by a warm attic. The fix is usually ventilation and ice shield, not shingles.
(How it runs)
How a leak visit runs
Most repairs are finished on the first visit. If we need a part, we tarp it and come back within the week.
- Call
Tell us where the stain is
A photo of the ceiling and the roof above it helps. We book a visit, usually within three working days. Active leaks in bad weather go to the storm line.
- On site
Trace from the inside out
Attic first, roof second. The source is often a few feet uphill of the stain.
- Same visit
Agree the price and fix it
Most repairs take one to three hours. You get a written price before we start.
- Same day
Photos and notes
Before-and-after photos, and a short note on anything else we saw: repair it, watch it, or leave it alone.
(Repair or replace)
Repair or replace?
Age matters less than condition. This is the rule of thumb we use on the roof.
- One flashing, boot or valley has failedRepair
The rest of the roof has years left. Fix the detail.
- Wind lifted a few shingles on one slopeRepair
Matched shingles, hand-sealed. Usually under $620.
- Leaks in three or more placesInspect
Often a sign the whole roof is near the end. The report will show you.
- Granule loss or curling across a slopeReplace
Repairs stop being good value. Price a replacement.
- Soft deck in several areasReplace
Water has been getting in for a long time.
(What is included)
What a repair visit includes
One visit, one price agreed on the roof before we start, and the same paperwork as a full replacement.
Repair visitWhat you get
- 01Leak trace
Attic first, then the roof above it. We follow the water path with a moisture meter, and hose-test when it is dry out.
- 02Price before work
We explain the fix and agree the price with you on site, or in writing if you are not home.
- 03The repair
New flashing, boots or shingles, woven in properly. We do not use sealant as a repair on anything that should be flashed.
- 04Matched materials
We carry the common shingle colours on the van and match as closely as we can. We tell you up front if a patch will show.
- 05Photos
Before, during and after, sent the same day, with a note on the rest of the roof while we were up there.
- 062-year warranty
If the same spot leaks again within two years, we come back and fix it at no charge.
(Price guide)
Typical repair prices
Prices include the visit, materials, the repair and the photos. If we find nothing to fix, or you decide not to go ahead, the trace visit is $185.
| Job | What it covers | Guide price |
|---|---|---|
| Pipe boot replaced | Plumbing vent collar, new boot and shingles around it | $340–$480 |
| Shingle repair, up to 10 shingles | Wind-blown or cracked, colour-matched from our van stock | $380–$620 |
| Chimney counter flashing | Cut into the mortar joints and reset, one chimney | $640–$1,450 |
| Step flashing at a wall | One side of a dormer or wall, up to 12 ft | $690–$1,200 |
| Valley rebuild | One valley up to 20 ft, new ice shield and metal | $950–$1,800 |
| Leak trace only | If no repair is needed or you do not go ahead | $185 |
(Projects)
Repairs inside bigger jobs
Most of our repair work is small. These two jobs started as leak calls.
All projects(Questions)
Straight answers before you call
Still unsure what your roof needs?
Book a free inspectionHow quickly can you come out?
Most repair visits are booked within three working days. If water is coming in during a storm, call the storm line on (406) 555-0142 and we will tarp it within 24 hours.
Can you match my shingles?
Usually closely. We carry the common colours on the van, and for discontinued lines we tell you before we start whether the patch will be visible from the ground.
Will you just seal it with caulk?
No. Sealant is a maintenance item, not a repair. If something should be flashed, we flash it. We only use sealant where the maker's instructions call for it.
What does the 2-year warranty cover?
If the spot we repaired leaks again within two years, we come back and fix it at no charge. It does not cover new leaks elsewhere on the roof, which the photo note will usually have flagged.
I have been told I need a new roof. Can you check?
Yes. Book a free inspection. Plenty of roofs we are asked to replace need a vent boot or a flashing, and the report will say so plainly.
(Roof notes)
Read before you decide
(Free inspection)
Tell us where the stain is.
We will trace it back to where the water gets in, fix it and send you the photos. Most repairs are done on the first visit.