Roofing Questions Answered

Damage in one area on a roof that is otherwise in good shape points to repair. Leaks in several places, widespread curling, cracking or granule loss on shingles, soft decking and repairs that keep failing point to replacement. A roof inspection settles it with facts instead of guesses.

It depends on the material, the quality of the installation, ventilation and sun exposure. Asphalt shingles commonly last two to three decades, and strong sun and heat can shorten that. Tile can last far longer, although the underlayment beneath it usually wears out first. Flat roof membranes vary by system and maintenance.

Often yes. In the City of Los Angeles, though, replacing more than half of a roof within one year means the whole roof must meet current code. If half or less is replaced, only the replaced area must comply. Depending on the roof, that rule can make a large partial replacement a poor value compared with a full one.

Sometimes. A sound old roof with an isolated problem is worth repairing. A roof that is failing everywhere is not, because the repair buys little time. Our roof repair page explains how we decide.

It depends on the size and design of the roof, the material, access and the weather. A small, simple roof goes faster than a large or complex one, and deck repairs can add time. We explain the expected schedule before work begins.

You do not need to stand by, but we need access to the property. It helps to move cars away from the house and to tell us about pets. We clean up at the end of each day.

A roof should never be left open to rain. Work is planned around the forecast, and any section that is open gets closed in before the crew leaves for the day. Ask any contractor how they handle weather before you hire them.

We take care around the house, plants and driveway, and our crews clean up daily. If you have delicate plantings, a pool or pets, tell us at the estimate so we can plan around them.

It depends on the house. Asphalt shingles suit most homes. Clay and concrete tile fit Spanish and Mediterranean styles. Flat and low-slope roofs use membranes like TPO or modified bitumen. The fire rating, cool roof rules and the structure of the house all matter. See shingle, tile and flat roofing.

Tile is much heavier than shingles, so the roof structure has to be evaluated first. We do not recommend the change unless the framing supports it.

Yes. The underlayment is the water barrier under the roofing, and installing new roofing over worn underlayment defeats the purpose. On a tile roof, replacing the underlayment is often the main job.

Panels usually have to come off and go back on for a re-roof, so it is best to plan the roof and the panels together. See our solar system page.

Yes. Denali Builders CA is a licensed and insured contractor. You can check any contractor's license status on the Contractors State License Board website.

Across Los Angeles and the nearby cities listed on our areas we serve page.

Call or send a message describing the roof and the problem. We will set up a visit.

We have 150 Google reviews averaging 4.9. You can read a selection on our customer reviews page.