Key numbers
About 3.5 million U.S. households reported missing roofing material, 1.9 million a sagging roof and 1.5 million a hole in the roof in the 2023 American Housing Survey (Roofing Contractor (reporting Instant Roofer analysis of 2023 AHS), 2023).
| 4.4% | 4.4% of U.S. households reported roof leaks in the 2023 American Housing Survey, down from 7.6% in 1973. Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2023 |
|---|---|
| $4,699 | The average U.S. residential roof repair cost was $4,699 in 2025, up 25% from the prior four-year average. Source: Insurance Journal (reporting Verisk), 2025 |
| Up to 10% | ENERGY STAR says sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on annual energy bills. Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA) |
Fix a small roof problem now, while it is cheap and the weather is dry. A cracked pipe boot or a few lifted shingles is a short repair today, and a wet ceiling, soft decking and a bigger bill after the next storm. Waiting makes sense for planned upgrades, like a full replacement on an old but sound roof, where you can choose the season, compare options and line up financing. It does not make sense for leaks, storm damage or anything with an insurance deadline attached.
President John F. Kennedy put it simply in his 1962 State of the Union address, speaking about the economy: “the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.” Roofers in Colorado Springs would add: and before hail season.
What waiting actually costs
- Water damage spreads quietly. A leak wets decking, insulation and drywall long before it shows as a stain. By the time you see it inside, the repair is bigger.
- Wind finds weak spots. One unsealed shingle becomes a missing row in the next windstorm.
- Storm backlogs. After a big hail event, roofers and suppliers are booked for weeks, and the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department says reroof inspections are not done same day or next day because of the volume.
- Claim deadlines. Policies limit how long you have to report a loss and to finish repairs to recover depreciation. See how long you have to recover depreciation.
What can safely wait
- A full replacement on an aging but dry roof. Plan it for spring or fall, compare asphalt and metal, and choose your shingle color without pressure.
- Cosmetic issues that do not affect water shedding.
- Upgrades such as better ventilation or impact-rated shingles, if you are already planning a new roof within a year or two.
Timing rules that affect your schedule
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Work over 100 sq ft needs a permit pulled by a licensed contractor | PPRBD |
| Permits are good for 180 days; one 180-day extension at no fee | PPRBD |
| Materials may not be stocked on the driveway or roof before the permit is issued | PPRBD |
| Reroof inspections after a storm are not same day or next day | PPRBD |
Shingles also need warmth to seal; our article on cold-weather roof installs explains when winter work is fine and when it is not.
A simple decision rule
Ask two questions. Is water getting in, or could it with the next storm? Is there an insurance or permit deadline? If either answer is yes, fix it now. If both are no, plan it. Our guides to roof maintenance in Colorado and roofing terms help you tell which is which, and what customer care to expect shows how quickly a good roofer should respond.
Get it looked at while it is dry
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. We respond the same business day. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free Colorado Springs roof inspection, or see Colorado Springs roof repair.
Sources: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, Hail & Disaster Information and Reroof Guidelines, rev. 03/05/2024; John F. Kennedy, State of the Union address, January 11, 1962 (Teaching American History)..
