Repair or Replace Your Roof? A Florida Guide
Repair when the damage is limited to one area, the roof is under about half its Florida lifespan, and the fix stays under the 25% rule. Replace when the roof is near end of life (shingle 15+ years here), leaks keep coming back in new places, damage is spread across the roof, or your insurer is pushing for it. Leeward Roofing (CCC1337211) gives you a straight answer either way, in writing, with photos.
Four questions that decide it
Answer these honestly and the choice usually makes itself.
1. How old is it?
Shingle lasts about 20–25 years in Florida, metal 40–70, tile often longer on the tile itself. Past about 15 years on shingle, repairs start buying months, not years.
2. How much is damaged?
One lifted section, a cracked boot or a flashing leak is a repair. Soft decking, granule loss everywhere, or damage on several slopes points to replacement.
3. Does the 25% rule apply?
Repairing more than 25% of a roof section in 12 months can require bringing it up to current code, unless the roof was built to the 2007 code or later.
4. What does your insurer say?
An insurer threatening non-renewal over roof age or condition changes the math fast. A new roof can also earn wind mitigation credits.
Repair makes sense when…
Most roof calls we get are repairs, and we treat them that way.
The problem is in one place
A leak at a plumbing boot, a chimney or wall flashing, a skylight, or a few blown-off shingles is a normal repair, often a same-week fix.
The roof still has life left
A 6-year-old shingle roof with storm damage on one slope should be repaired, not replaced. Replacing a healthy roof is money you did not need to spend.
The repair stays under the 25% line
If the work is under 25% of the roof section, or your roof was built to the 2007 Florida Building Code or newer, a matching repair is usually allowed. Details in our Florida 25% roof rule guide.
Replacement makes sense when…
These are the signs that more repairs are just delaying the bill.
Leaks keep moving
If you fix one leak and a new one shows up somewhere else, the roof system is failing, not one spot.
The deck is soft
Spongy spots underfoot or sagging lines mean the plywood underneath is wet or rotted. That is a tear-off job.
Age plus storm damage
An older shingle roof that takes storm damage often crosses the 25% line, and insurers may push for full replacement anyway.
Insurance pressure
If your carrier wants a new roof to renew, waiting usually costs more. See how roof age affects Florida insurance and signs you need a new roof.
What each path costs
A repair is almost always cheaper today. Replacement is sometimes cheaper over five years.
Replacement ranges
Most full Treasure Coast replacements land between $12,000 and $42,000 depending on size and material. See our roof replacement cost guide.
The hidden cost of repeat repairs
Several repair visits on an end-of-life roof, plus interior water damage, plus a higher insurance premium, can add up to a meaningful share of a new roof. That is the point to stop patching.
Financing
If replacement is the right answer but the timing is hard, see roof financing options.
Wind got under it? Do not wait for the next band.
Lifted shingles and displaced tile rarely reseal themselves. The cheapest version of this job is the one that happens before the next system comes through.
- Walk the perimeter and look for granules washed into the gutters and downspouts.
- Photograph soffit, fascia and gutter damage — adjusters ask for it.
- Tarp first, then worry about the permanent repair.
- Be wary of out-of-state crews that appear the day after a storm.
Recent Leeward jobs
Real Treasure Coast roofs installed by our own crews — not stock photography.
Repair vs. replace FAQs
How do I know if my roof needs to be repaired or replaced?
Repair if the damage is in one area, the roof is under about half its expected life, and the work stays under the 25% rule. Replace if the roof is near the end of its life, leaks keep appearing in new places, the deck is soft, or damage covers several slopes.
How old is too old to repair a shingle roof in Florida?
Shingle roofs last about 20 to 25 years here. Past about 15 years, most repairs only buy limited time, and many insurers start asking about the roof at renewal.
What is the 25% roof rule in Florida?
If more than 25% of a roof section is repaired or replaced within 12 months, that section generally must be brought up to current Florida Building Code. Roofs built to the 2007 code or later are exempt from full replacement and can be repaired to match.
Can I just repair the part of my roof that was damaged in a storm?
Often yes, if the damaged area is under 25% of the roof section or your roof was built to the 2007 code or newer. A documented inspection tells you which side of the line you are on.
Does Leeward Roofing do repairs or only replacements?
Both. Leeward Roofing repairs leaks, flashing, storm damage and blown-off shingles, and replaces full roofs in shingle, metal, tile and flat systems across the Treasure Coast. Inspections and estimates are free.
Proudly serving the Treasure Coast
Let's take a look at your roof. Free.
No pressure, no obligation, and an honest answer even when that answer is "you don't need a new roof yet."
- Free, itemized estimate in writing
- Most inspections scheduled within 24 hours
- We handle permits and insurance paperwork
- Licensed CCC1337211 and fully insured
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