Southern California is known for many things, and great weather is not the least of these. The mild temperatures and low levels of precipitation are two of the main reasons why roof repairs are generally needed with less frequency in San Diego than in other parts of the country. There are times, however, in the life of every roof, no matter what climate, when attention will be needed to ensure proper functionthe kind of attention your roof will require depends a lot on the material it is made from.
Asphalt Shingle Roof Repair in San Diego
Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in the nation, and are found covering more than 80 percent of American houses. They are inexpensive, easy to install and work on, and do a pretty good job of keeping out moisture and reducing heat transfer.
Unfortunately, this kind of roof doesn't always last as long as we'd like; though, if there's any place in the nation where an asphalt roof can reach its full life expectancy, it's San Diego. Roof repair is a relatively common task for a home topped with asphalt shingles, but on the upside these repairs are often inexpensive. Replacement shingles are pretty cheap, and as long as problems are caught early enough, repairs are usually a simple patch job.
San Diego Tile Roof Repairs
For a southern California resident, it might be easy to believe that tile roofing is everywhere. The fact is, however, that tile roofs aren't nearly as common across the country as they are in L.A. or San Diego. Tile is an excellent choice aesthetically as it goes great with palm trees and ocean breezes, but it is also a very sound choice physically. While an asphalt roof might last 20 or 25 years, a tile roof can easily double or even triple that time.
Tile has two main drawbacks, however, and both have to do with price. Tile is extremely expensive to install because the material itself is much more costly than other roofing options. Additionally, it is difficult and expensive to repair because it is so brittle. It cracks easily when walked on, making the repair process a delicate and tedious job. Once the materials and labor hours are totaled, tile repairs can add up to a pretty pennythe good thing is that these repairs should be few and far between, and the roof itself should last quite a while without needing to be replaced.
Cedar Shingles and Shake Roofing
Though not a very common choice, San Diego's environment is actually one of the best suited for wood roofing. Generally purchased for appearance rather than practicality, wood shingles, like any outdoor wood, can have problems with warping, swelling, cracking, and insects. Making the shingles out of cedar reduces some of these problems, and San Diego's mild temperature and infrequent rainfalls will reduce them even further. Wood roofing, even in So Cal, will require a fair amount of maintenance to perform well, but it's appearance is one-of-a-kind.
Prices of San Diego Roof Repairs
For asphalt roof repair, San Diego prices start at about $50 and are generally less than $1,000, even for larger jobs. Tile roofing repairs are usually between $1,000 and $2,000, but sometimes rise above or fall below these marks depending on the size of the job. 
Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.