Seven signs you need a new roof
You can assess most of this from the ground with a pair of binoculars and a look in the attic. Here is what actually indicates a failing roof, and what looks alarming but usually is not.
The seven that matter
1. Granules in the gutters. The mineral surface is what protects the asphalt from UV. Once it washes off in volume, the mat underneath degrades quickly.
2. Curling or cupping shingles. Heat and UV got under the mat. It will not lie back down, and every wind event lifts it further.
3. Daylight in the attic. If light gets in, water does too.
4. Sagging along a roof line. That is structural, and it is the one item on this list that should move to the top of your priorities immediately.
5. Repeated leaks in different places. One leak is an event. Three leaks in three locations is a pattern.
6. Shingles missing after routine wind. A healthy roof holds through ordinary weather. Losing tabs in a normal storm means the seal strips have failed.
7. Age past 20 years with any of the above. Age alone is not a verdict. Age plus any other signal usually is.
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The three that look worse than they are
Moss and algae streaking. Ugly, and usually cosmetic. Dark streaks are typically algae and do not shorten roof life meaningfully. Moss holding moisture against shingles is worth cleaning, gently, but it is not a replacement trigger.
A single missing shingle. On an otherwise sound roof this is a genuinely small repair.
An old water stain on the ceiling. Not every stain is active. If it is dry, hard and stable, it may be history from a leak already fixed. If it is damp, growing, or the drywall is soft, it is happening now.
What to do with what you found
If you have one item from the first list and nothing else, get it looked at and expect a repair conversation. If you have two or more, get the replacement priced — not necessarily to buy it today, but so you know the number before the roof forces the decision at a worse moment.
Common questions
How often should a roof be inspected?
Once a year is reasonable, plus after any significant storm. Most of it you can do yourself from the ground and from inside the attic.
Do I need to get on the roof to check it?
No, and you should not. Binoculars from the ground and a flashlight in the attic tell you nearly everything that matters.
What does daylight in the attic mean?
It means there is a gap in the roof assembly. It is worth getting eyes on it quickly — water follows the same path light does.
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