Signs you need a new roof include curling or missing shingles, granules in your gutters, daylight or leaks in the attic, sagging, and an age past 20 to 25 years. Catching these early prevents interior damage. Minor, isolated issues can often be repaired instead of replaced.
Roofs rarely fail all at once. They give warning signs first, and catching them early can save you from interior damage and emergency repairs. This guide covers the signs that point to replacement and the ones that a simple repair can fix.
Signs From Outside
Look for curling, cracked or missing shingles, bald patches where granules have worn away, and sagging along the roofline. Granules collecting in your gutters are a sign that shingles are breaking down. A roof past about 20 years old deserves a close look even if it appears fine.
Signs From Inside
In the attic, daylight through the boards, water stains, damp insulation or a musty smell all point to a roof letting water in. Stains on ceilings or walls below the roof are a clear signal to act before the damage spreads.
Repair or Replace
Not every issue means a new roof. Isolated damage, a few missing shingles or worn flashing can often be repaired. Replacement makes sense when problems are widespread, the roof is past its lifespan, or repairs would only buy a short reprieve. An honest inspection tells you which path fits.
- Curling, cracked or missing shingles, or granules in the gutters.
- Sagging rooflines or visible wear across the surface.
- Attic daylight, stains, damp insulation or a musty smell.
- Age past roughly 20 years, even without obvious damage.