Do I need a new roof?
Short answer. You probably need a new roof if it is near or past its expected life, roughly 20 to 30 years for architectural shingles and 15 to 20 for 3-tab, and the wear is spread across several slopes, or if hail or wind damaged it widely. One leak, a few missing shingles or black algae streaks usually point to a repair or cleaning, not a replacement.
Five questions to answer honestly
- How old is it? Check the permit history, closing papers or a shingle wrapper in the attic. Age alone does not condemn a roof, but it sets expectations.
- Is the wear in one spot or everywhere? Curling, cracking and bare spots on several slopes mean the shingles are aging out together. A single damaged area is a repair.
- Has a storm hit it? Hail bruises and wind creases can be spread across a roof that looks fine from the driveway. Check your zip code's history on the North Georgia Hail Map.
- Are repairs becoming routine? A second or third leak in a couple of years, in different places, usually means the system is failing, not one part.
- What is the attic telling you? Daylight through the deck, dark stained decking, damp insulation or sagging point to problems under the shingles.
Things that look bad but rarely mean replacement
- Black streaks from algae, which are cosmetic.
- A few nail pops or one lifted shingle after a windy night.
- A leak at a pipe boot or chimney flashing on an otherwise healthy roof.
Get a second set of eyes
If your answers are mixed, an inspection with photos settles it. Ask to see pictures of every slope, not just a verdict, and ask the inspector to point out what is repairable. The fuller checklist is in signs you need a new roof, and expected lifespans by material are in how long a roof lasts in Georgia.