- The most common roof repairs
- Quick check: repair or replace?
- When replacement makes more sense
- Florida's 25 percent roof rule
- What to do if your roof is leaking right now
- Common questions
The most common roof repairs
In Jacksonville, most of the repair calls we see come down to a handful of problems:
- Lifted or missing shingles after a windstorm. A few shingles can be replaced and sealed down.
- Cracked pipe boots. The rubber collar around plumbing vents dries out in the Florida sun and splits, letting water run straight down the pipe.
- Failed flashing where the roof meets a wall, chimney or skylight. This is one of the most common hidden leak sources.
- Ridge vent and ridge cap damage from wind or falling branches.
- Loose fasteners or seams on metal roofs, which can back out over years of heating and cooling.
- Cracked or slipped tiles on clay tile roofs.
A good repair fixes the cause, not just the stain. That's why we trace a leak to its source before we quote anything.
Quick check: repair or replace?
Choose an answer in each row to see a starting point.
When replacement makes more sense
Repairs stop being good value when you're paying to fix the same roof again and again. Replacement is usually the better call when:
- The shingles are curling, cracking or bald across large areas, not just in one spot.
- Leaks keep coming back in different places.
- The decking is soft or rotted in more than a small section.
- Your insurer is asking about roof age or condition at renewal.
- Storm damage is widespread enough that your insurance claim may cover a full replacement.
Our roof replacement guide covers materials and what the job involves.
Florida's 25 percent roof rule
Florida's building code has long required that when 25 percent or more of a roof is repaired or replaced within a 12-month period, the entire roof be brought up to the current code. That could turn a big repair into a full replacement.
Since 2022, state law (Section 553.844 of the Florida Statutes) carves out an important exception: if your existing roof was built, repaired or replaced under the 2007 Florida Building Code or later, only the section being worked on has to meet current code. The rest of the roof can stay as it is.
In practice, the age of your roof and the code it was built under can change what a repair costs. We factor this in whenever we estimate a larger repair.
What to do if your roof is leaking right now
- Move valuables and electronics away from the leak and put a bucket under the drip.
- If the ceiling is bulging with water, poke a small hole in the center of the bulge to let it drain into the bucket. This prevents a larger collapse.
- Take photos of the ceiling, the wet areas and anything damaged. You'll want them if you file a claim.
- Stay off the roof, especially when it's wet.
- Call a roofer. We'll find the source and get it sealed.
Common questions
Can I replace just part of my roof?
Sometimes. Small sections are routinely repaired. Larger partial replacements depend on Florida's 25 percent rule and on whether new materials will match and seal properly to the old ones.
How long does a roof repair last?
A repair done properly on a roof in decent shape should last as long as the surrounding roof. A patch on a roof that's failing everywhere won't buy much time, which is why we tell you honestly which situation you're in.
Is a small leak urgent?
Yes. Even a slow drip soaks insulation and rots decking over time, and mold can follow. Small leaks are the cheapest ones to fix.
This guide is general information, not a diagnosis or legal advice. Building code requirements are applied by your local building department. Last updated October 2026.