Most roof leak repairs take one to four hours once the roofer is on the roof. A pipe boot or a few shingles is often done in an hour or two. Chimney flashing, a valley rebuild or replacing soft decking usually takes most of a day. Weather, roof steepness, how hard the leak is to find and whether matching materials are on hand change the time.
Typical times by repair
| Repair | Typical time on the roof |
|---|---|
| Pipe boot replacement | About 1 hour |
| A few shingles replaced | 1 to 2 hours |
| Ridge cap section | 1 to 3 hours |
| Skylight reflash | 2 to 5 hours |
| Step or wall flashing | 2 to 6 hours |
| Chimney flashing with counter flashing cut in | 4 to 8 hours |
| Valley rebuild | Half a day to a full day |
| Decking replacement, a few sheets | Adds 1 to 3 hours |
| Flat roof patch | 1 to 4 hours |
Times are typical ranges for one crew and a single-story home. Two-story and steep roofs take longer.
What takes the most time
Finding the leak is often the longest part. A leak that shows up only in wind-driven rain, or water that runs a long way before it drips, may need an attic check and a water test before any shingle comes off. That time is worth it, because fixing the wrong spot means a second visit. See roof leak detection.
Things that add time
- Steep or tall roofs: Need extra safety setup.
- Old repairs: Layers of tar and caulk have to be scraped off first.
- Soft decking: Found only once shingles come up, and must be replaced before closing up.
- Matching shingles: Older colors may need to be sourced.
- Weather: Rain stops work. Afternoon summer heat slows it, since shingles get soft and easy to damage.
From first call to finished repair
- Call: Tell us where the leak is and send photos if you can.
- Same-day response: Call before 7 pm and we aim to come out the same day.
- Inspection and price: We find the source, take photos and give you a written price before work starts.
- Repair: Small repairs are often made on the same visit. Larger ones are scheduled for the next dry day.
- Photos: You get before and after photos of what was fixed.
What if it is raining?
A tarp goes on first to stop the water, and the repair follows in dry weather, often within a few days in Pine Bluff outside the busiest storm weeks. See can a roof be repaired in the rain.
Do I need to be home?
Not always. If we need to check the attic, someone needs to let us in. For outside-only repairs, many owners, including landlords who live out of town, approve the price by text and get the photos after. See landlord roof leak repair.
How long after a storm?
After a big hail or wind storm, every roofer in town gets busy at once. Tarping comes first for homes with water coming in. Permanent repairs may take longer to schedule in those weeks. Getting your call in early helps. See storm damage roof repair.
How long does the ceiling take?
Drying a wet ceiling often takes several days with fans and a dehumidifier. Only after that can stained drywall be primed and painted, or soaked drywall replaced. Plan for about a week from roof repair to a finished ceiling on a typical leak. See roof water damage repair.
Can a roof leak be fixed in one day?
Most can. Larger flashing, valley and decking repairs may take a full day.
How long does a pipe boot replacement take?
Usually about an hour on a single-story roof.
Why did my roof repair take longer than expected?
Soft decking, old tar to remove, steep roofs and weather are the usual reasons.
How soon can you start after I approve the price?
Small repairs often happen on the first visit. Larger ones are scheduled for the next dry day.