Signs Your Roof Needs Maintenance Before It's Too Late

Shingles are your roof's first line of defense, and they show damage before anything else fails. You can spot most shingle problems from the ground with binoculars.

Missing Shingles: This is obvious but important. If you see bare spots where shingles should be, that's an immediate repair need. Every day without that shingle is a day water can get in. And in Utah, that could be snow melting into your roof deck.

Curling Shingles: Shingles curl in two ways. "Cupping" is when edges turn up while the center stays flat. "Clawing" is when edges stay flat but the center rises. Both mean the shingle is deteriorating and losing its waterproofing ability.

Cracked Shingles: Utah's temperature swings stress shingles. They expand in summer heat, contract in winter cold. Over time, this creates cracks. A few cracked shingles can be replaced. Widespread cracking means the roof is nearing end of life.

Granule Loss: Those little rocks on asphalt shingles are granules, and they protect the asphalt from UV damage. Some granule loss is normal—you'll see them in gutters. But if shingles look patchy or bald, or you're finding excessive granules, that's a problem. Without granules, shingles degrade rapidly.

Buckling or Rippling: If shingles look wavy or distorted, they've buckled. This usually means moisture got into the roof deck below, or the shingles were installed improperly. Either way, buckling shingles don't seal properly and need attention.

The key with shingle damage is catching it early. One or two damaged shingles? Easy repair. Half your roof with curling shingles? That's a replacement conversation.

Sometimes the first signs of roof trouble show up inside your house. These are urgent—if water is getting in, damage is happening right now.

Water Stains on Ceilings: Brown or yellowish stains on your ceiling, especially near exterior walls or under the roof line, indicate water intrusion. The leak might not be directly above the stain—water travels along rafters and decking before dripping. But somewhere, water is getting through your roof.

Peeling Paint or Wallpaper: Moisture from roof leaks can cause paint to bubble and peel, or wallpaper to loosen. If this is happening near the top of walls or on ceilings, suspect a roof problem.

Mold or Mildew Growth: Mold needs moisture. If you're seeing mold on walls or ceilings, especially in attic spaces, water is getting in somewhere. This is both a roof problem and a health concern—address it promptly.

Attic Signs: Go into your attic during daylight. If you see light coming through the roof deck, you've got holes. Look for dark stains on the underside of decking—that's water damage. Check insulation for dampness or compression from water.

Higher Energy Bills: A sudden spike in heating or cooling costs can indicate roof problems. Damaged roofing allows air infiltration. Poor attic ventilation from neglected maintenance traps heat in summer and moisture in winter. If your bills jumped for no obvious reason, check the roof.

Interior signs often mean damage has been happening for a while. Don't panic, but don't delay either. Get a professional inspection to find the source and assess the extent of damage.

Some warning signs are about the roof structure itself, not just the shingles. These can indicate serious problems that need professional assessment.

Sagging Roof Deck: Stand back and look at your roof line. Is it straight, or does it sag or dip anywhere? Sagging indicates structural problems—potentially rotted decking or compromised rafters. This is serious and needs immediate professional evaluation.

Damaged Flashing: Flashing is the metal that seals around chimneys, vents, walls, and other roof penetrations. If it's lifted, rusted, cracked, or missing, water can get under shingles and into your home. Flashing failures are one of the most common leak sources.

Damaged or Clogged Gutters: Gutters that are pulling away from the fascia, sagging, or frequently clogged can cause water to back up under shingles. This leads to rot and leaks at the roof edge. Gutter problems often precede roof problems.

Moss or Algae Growth: While Utah is dry enough that this is less common, shaded areas can develop moss or algae. These organisms hold moisture against shingles and accelerate deterioration. They also look bad. Remove them before they cause damage.

Chimney Issues: Check the chimney for cracked mortar, missing cap, or damaged flashing. Chimneys are complex roof penetrations with multiple failure points. A chimney leak can look like a roof leak and cause just as much damage.

Age: This isn't visible, but it's a warning sign. If your asphalt shingle roof is 20+ years old, it's in its declining years. Problems become more likely and more frequent. Consider proactive replacement before emergency failures.

Some issues you can monitor yourself. Others need professional attention. Here's how to know when to make the call:

Call Immediately If:

• You see active water intrusion (water coming through ceiling)
• A significant portion of your roof is missing after a storm
• The roof line is sagging visibly
• You smell mold or see significant mold growth
• Tree or debris has fallen on your roof

Schedule Soon If:

• You notice missing or damaged shingles
• Flashing looks compromised
• You see ceiling stains but no active leak
• Your roof is over 15 years old and hasn't been inspected recently
• Neighbors are getting roof work done after a storm (hail doesn't skip houses)

What a Professional Inspection Includes:

When you call us (or any reputable roofer), we'll do a thorough inspection: walking the roof, checking shingles, examining flashing, looking in the attic, assessing ventilation, and documenting everything. You'll get an honest assessment of your roof's condition and recommendations—whether that's minor maintenance, repairs, or replacement.

A professional inspection costs a few hundred dollars and can save you thousands by catching problems early. For roofs over 10 years old, I recommend inspections every 2-3 years even if nothing seems wrong.