I also have a bit of a construction background having been a roofer and operating my own roofing business for several years.

I called the maintainence emergency number and they sent roto roofers to my home, had them check things and said somone will be out tomorrow morning.

Other than to request that my tenant communicate with him to mend fences I have stayed out of the matter. 

-Robert Frost                 "Mending Wall" 

A good roofer can complete the job in one to two days with minimum impact.

I once had renter chasing a roofer around with a machete, because the roofer took a piss in the yard while replacing the roof..

My roofer took a look and told me it needed a roof, so we got that done, too.  

Digging them up and replacing them entirely is the only way to overcome that.What you are asking for is the equivalent of telling your roofer that the roof hasn't leaked for 60 years, so why can't he just tar patch it!  

Have a team - handyman, plumber, roofer that can communicate with you via phone and/or email.

Looking for a roofer to fix an issue before El Nino arrives.Thanks and stay cool in Riverside