Signs You Need a New Roof: What Dayton Homeowners Should Look For

How do you know when you need a new roof?

Owens Corning lists seven signs (opens in a new tab) that a roof may need replacing:

• Shingle edges that curl, or shingle tabs that cup.
• Bald spots where the granules are missing.
• Cracked shingles.
• A roof that is at least 20 years old, or looks old and worn.
• Neighbors getting new roofs.
• Dark streaks.
• Moss.

Two more call for a roofer right away: water stains on a ceiling, and a roof deck that sags.

How old is too old for a roof?

Owens Corning puts the line at about 20 years. A properly installed roof lasts 20 to 40 years, and how it was installed and ventilated matters as much as its age. If your neighbors' houses were built when yours was and they are getting new roofs, Owens Corning says yours may be close too: the same age, the same weather.

What do curling or cupped shingles mean?

Curled edges and cupped tabs are the first sign on Owens Corning's list. Owens Corning also notes that a roof that isn't properly ventilated "can negatively impact your shingles," and its warranty does not cover damage from poor ventilation (opens in a new tab). A roof with curling shingles is worth a look at the attic airflow before the new roof goes on.

What do granules in the gutters mean?

Owens Corning lists bald spots where granules are missing as a sign the roof may need replacing. If you find heavy piles of granules in the gutters, or see bare patches on the roof, have it checked.

Is a sagging roof a sign you need a new one?

Yes, and it shouldn't wait. A dip in the roofline can point to a problem in the deck or the framing under it. On every roof we replace, we tear off down to the deck, and rotted wood is cut out and replaced before anything new goes on.

Are dark streaks or moss a reason to replace a roof?

Not on their own. Dark streaks are algae, and Owens Corning says they may not harm the shingles but "won't look good." Moss is different: it "can hold moisture against the roof surface." On an older roof, either one is a reason to have the whole roof checked.

Should I repair my roof or replace it?

We don't patch. A repair from us means rebuilding the whole elevation that's leaking, and it carries our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty. On a roof 20 years or older, especially one with two layers, a repair rarely makes sense: a matching shingle is hard to find, and the rest of the roof is the same age. That's when we recommend a new roof.

Can a new roof go over the old one?

Not if there are already two layers. The Residential Code of Ohio does not allow a new roof over two or more existing layers (opens in a new tab). We never lay a new roof over an old one, even when code would allow it: every roof we replace is torn off to the deck, so we can see and fix the wood underneath.

What can I check myself, and what should a roofer check?

Stay off the roof. From the ground, look for curled or missing shingles, bald spots and a wavy roofline. Check the gutters for granules, and check the ceilings upstairs for stains. Then have a roofer look. On our free roof inspection, we check the entire property from the ground, then the whole roof, and we photograph and explain everything we find. We tell homeowners to have their roof looked at every five years, and any time something looks out of place.

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Next step

If your roof shows these signs, the next question is what a replacement costs in Dayton. See our Dayton roof replacement prices and the online roof calculator, or book a free roof inspection.