10 Signs You Need a New Roof

You don't need to climb a ladder to spot most of these. Here are ten signs your roof is telling you it's near the end — checkable from the ground, the gutters, and the attic.

From the ground

1. Curling or cupping shingles. Edges turning up or centers dishing out means the shingles have lost their flexibility and grip.
2. Bald spots. Where the protective granules have worn off, the asphalt underneath is exposed and aging fast.
3. Missing shingles across more than one slope. One gap is a repair; gaps on multiple slopes mean the seal strips are failing roof-wide.
4. A sagging roofline. Any dip or wave in the ridge or field can signal decking or structural trouble — get it looked at promptly.
5. Moss or heavy algae streaking. It holds moisture against the shingles and, over time, lifts and rots them.

In the gutters and yard

1. Granules in the gutters. A few are normal; cupfuls year-round on a 20-year roof mean the shingles are wearing out.
2. Shingle pieces in the yard after normal storms. If wind regularly peels material off, the roof is losing the fight.

From inside the attic

1. Daylight through the decking. Pinpricks at a nail are minor; daylight through the field of the deck is a real problem.
2. Water stains, damp rafters, or a musty smell. Active or repeated moisture means water is getting past the roof.

And the tenth: the calendar

If your roof is 20 or more years old, that alone is reason to get it inspected — even if it looks okay from the curb. Insurers increasingly treat 20-year roofs as liabilities, and most architectural shingles in NJ are at the end of their real-world life around then.

Seeing several of these at once? Don't wait for the next big storm to make the decision for you. We do free, honest inspections across Bergen, Passaic, Essex, Hudson, and Morris counties — and if the roof has life left, we'll tell you that too. Call (973) 337-9001.