All About Roofing
At Roof Medics Roofing LLC, we believe homeowners deserve straight answers—not scare tactics or sales pressure. Our blog is designed to help you understand your roof, your options, and what really matters when it comes to repairs, replacements, and long-term protection.
Here, you’ll find practical roofing advice, cost breakdowns, material comparisons, maintenance tips, and honest insights based on real jobs we complete every day across Coastal Georgia. Whether you’re planning ahead, dealing with storm damage, or just trying to make informed decisions, our goal is to give you clarity and confidence—before you ever pick up the phone.
Buying, repairing, or replacing a roof comes with a lot of questions. Below are some of the most common things Savannah-area homeowners ask us — answered clearly and honestly.
A: We recommend inspections once a year and after major storms. Coastal humidity, heat, and wind can shorten a roof’s lifespan if issues go unnoticed.
A:
The answer depends on two key factors: the age of your roof and the overall health of the shingles.
If your roof is newer and the damage is limited — such as a few missing shingles, minor leaks, or isolated wind damage — repairs are often a smart and cost-effective solution.
However, if your roof is older or showing widespread issues like cracking, curling, granule loss, or repeated leaks, a full replacement may be the safer long-term option. Even if individual problems can be patched, an aging roof may continue to fail in new areas.
During an inspection, we look at:
The age of the roofing system
The condition and flexibility of the shingles
Whether damage is isolated or widespread
Signs of underlying issues like moisture or decking concerns
Our goal is to help you understand the true condition of your roof — so you can choose the option that protects your home without unnecessary costs or pressure.
A:
If a roof can be repaired properly and safely, we will always present that option first.
The issue with an older or aged-out roof is that shingles naturally become brittle and fragile over time. As they lose flexibility, even the most careful repair work can unintentionally cause damage. Lifting or repositioning surrounding shingles may lead to cracking, breakage, or disturbance in areas that were previously holding fine.
In these situations, attempting a repair can actually create bigger problems, such as:
New leaks forming around the repair area
Additional shingle damage during installation
Repairs that only last a short time before failing
Higher long-term costs due to repeated fixes
There are also times when a roof is no longer repairable at all. Severely worn shingles — especially those that are cracking, breaking apart, or missing granules — may not seal or hold correctly, even if the visible damage seems minor.
Our job is to protect your home, not sell you something you don’t need. If a repair will truly solve the issue, we’ll recommend it. If it won’t, we’ll clearly explain why, show you what we’re seeing, and walk you through your options so you can make a confident, informed decision without pressure.
A: Most residential roof replacements are completed in one – two days, depending on size, materials, and weather. We’ll always give you a clear timeline before work begins.
A: Yes. Roof Medics uses thermal drones to help find hidden roof leaks. This technology helps us spot moisture below the roof surface and target repairs more accurately.
A:
Some homeowners are hesitant about drone inspections because they worry important details might be overlooked. In reality, using a drone — especially a thermal drone — often allows us to see more, not less.
Drones give us a safe, comprehensive view of the entire roof, including areas that can be difficult or unsafe to access on foot. This means we can document conditions accurately without risking damage to fragile or aging shingles.
Our thermal drone adds another layer of insight. Thermal imaging helps us identify temperature differences beneath the roof surface, which can indicate trapped moisture, insulation issues, or hidden leaks that aren’t always visible to the naked eye — even during a traditional walk-on inspection.
We don’t rely on drones alone. When needed, we combine drone imaging with hands-on evaluation to ensure nothing is missed. The goal is always the same: provide a clear, honest assessment backed by visual proof.
Using drone and thermal technology helps us deliver a more precise inspection, better documentation, and greater transparency — so you can see exactly what we see and make confident decisions about your roof.
A: We understand why homeowners ask for the lowest-cost option — but in our coastal climate, builder-grade and 3-tab shingles simply aren’t designed to perform well long term.
3-tab shingles are thinner, less durable, and more vulnerable to wind, heat, and moisture. Because of these limitations, many manufacturers are actively phasing them out, especially in regions like ours where weather conditions are more demanding.
Instead, we install architectural shingles as part of a complete roofing system. Architectural shingles are thicker, more durable, and engineered to better withstand wind uplift, temperature changes, and heavy rain — all common in our area.
As certified contractors with major shingle manufacturers, we’re able to source architectural shingles at the same cost many homeowners would pay for 3-tab shingles. That means you’re not paying more — you’re getting a stronger, longer-lasting roof for the same investment.
A roofing system isn’t just shingles. It includes proper underlayment, ventilation, flashing, and installation methods that work together to protect your home. When installed correctly, a complete roofing system:
Lasts longer
Performs better in severe weather
Reduces future repair risk
Protects manufacturer warranties
Our goal is to install a roof that’s built for this area, not one that saves a few dollars upfront but costs more over time.
A: In most cases, no — unless the upgrade is something you want for cosmetic reasons.
Standard architectural shingles are already a strong, reliable option for our area. They’re thicker, more durable, and far better suited to our climate than builder-grade or 3-tab shingles. Most architectural shingle systems already come with high wind ratings (often up to 130–160 mph) when installed correctly as part of a complete roofing system.
Some premium or “designer” shingles do offer:
Higher cosmetic appeal (thicker profiles, specialty styles)
Slightly higher ratings for wind, fire, or hail impact
However, it’s important to understand how manufacturer warranties work. Many enhanced warranties only apply under very specific conditions, often tied to named storms. A named storm begins at 39 mph (tropical storm strength), while hurricanes start at 74 mph. That means the extra warranty coverage may not provide additional real-world protection in many situations.
In our region, wind is the primary concern, especially during hurricanes. The good news is that standard architectural shingles — when installed properly with correct underlayment, fastening patterns, and ventilation — already meet or exceed the performance most homes need.
We’re always happy to walk you through upgrade options, but we won’t push them unless they truly make sense for your home. If you love the look of a premium shingle, it can be a great choice. If you’re focused on performance, value, and long-term reliability, standard architectural shingles are usually more than sufficient.
Our job is to help you choose what’s right — not push unnecessary upgrades.
If you’re experiencing leaks, storm damage, or want peace of mind, our inspections are free and pressure-free. We’ll explain what we see, answer your questions, and help you understand your options.
