Short answer: one problem rarely means a new roof. Several of the signs below together, on a roof past 20 years, usually do.
From the ground
Use binoculars on a bright day, and start with the slopes facing south and west. They take the most sun and usually wear out first.
- Curling or cupping shingles. Edges turning up, or the middles sinking, mean the shingles have dried out.
- Bare or shiny patches where the protective granules are gone.
- Cracked, torn or missing shingles on more than one slope, not just a corner after a windy night.
- A wavy or sagging roofline, which can mean wet or failing decking underneath.
- Tired flashing at chimneys, dormers and walls: rusted, lifted or smeared with tar.
- Slate roofs: slipped or cracked slates in several places, and rusty flashing. On slate, the nails and flashing usually fail before the stone. See slate or asphalt for an older house.
In the gutters
New shingles shed a few loose granules. On an older roof, gutters and downspout outlets full of grit mean the shingles are losing the layer that protects them from the sun.
In the attic
On a dry day, go up with a flashlight, then switch it off for a minute once your eyes adjust.
- Daylight showing through the roof boards.
- Dark stains, soft spots or mold on the decking and rafters.
- Wet or matted insulation.
- Frost on nail tips on cold mornings, a sign of trapped moisture and weak ventilation.
Inside the house
- Ceiling stains that grow after rain or during a thaw.
- Peeling paint or bubbling plaster near the top of outside walls, a classic ice dam sign. See will a new roof stop ice dams.
- A musty smell in a top-floor closet or finished attic.
Putting it together
| What you see | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| One leak, roof under 15 years | Find and fix the source |
| Wear on one slope only | Often a localized fix |
| Curling and bare patches on several slopes, roof past 20 years | Time to plan a replacement |
| Sagging deck or rot in the attic | Replacement with decking work |
| A second layer already on the roof | Tear-off is usually required; see roofing over existing shingles |
Before any work, check the contractor's registration as described in how to check a Connecticut roofer, and see what happens on replacement day for the day itself.
Seeing several of these signs? Call to be connected with a roofer who works in your town.Mon–Fri 8:30 am–7 pm, Sat 9 am–4 pm (Eastern)
(844) 505-0987Related questions
- My roof leaked once in a storm. Does it need replacing?
- Not necessarily. A single leak often comes from flashing, a pipe boot or one damaged spot. The roof's age and overall condition decide whether replacement makes more sense than fixing that spot.
- Are black streaks on the roof a sign it is failing?
- Usually not. Dark streaks are typically algae, which is mostly cosmetic. Thick moss is more of a concern because it holds water against the shingles.
- Should I go up on the roof to look?
- No. Look from the ground with binoculars and from the attic. Older shingles break underfoot, and falls from roofs are a serious risk.