![beauty shot of a home with Timberline HDZ roofing shingles](/-/media/images/mastheads/masthead/masthead-image/gaf/plan-design/hdr_do-i-need-a-new-roof.jpg?width=1800)
Do I need a new roof?
What roof damage looks like and how to determine if you need a roof repair or replacement.
Repair or replace?
If your roof isn’t very old and you spot a few loose or damaged shingles, you may be able to just replace them. But for broader or more extensive damage, it may be time for a new roof. The key is a regular roof inspection so you know what’s going on up there.
What roof damage looks like
![Damaged and wet attic with rolled up insulation](/-/media/images/content/card-with-link/card-image/gaf/plan-design/warning-sign-1.jpg?as=0&width=510&hash=4DA82B14371CF7F2A1EE8172EC9DB74B)
Attic leaks
Check your attic after severe weather. A leak could mean some shingles are damaged, the underlayment — a protective barrier between your shingles and the plywood of your roof — has failed, or flashing — the material that seals joints on your roof — has deteriorated.
![damaged paint on wood house](/-/media/images/content/card-with-link/card-image/gaf/plan-design/warning-sign-2.jpg?as=0&width=510&hash=EC2493D7D20E48B02D6A85D0BFB194E8)
Blistering or peeling paint
Poor ventilation may cause moisture to get trapped in your house, which may cause exterior paint to peel and blister.
![Ceiling stain near fire alarm](/-/media/images/content/card-with-link/card-image/gaf/plan-design/warning-sign-3.jpg?as=0&width=510&hash=1B6140DE6B44CA99F1F1547D7EE05B5C)
Ceiling and wall stains
Leaks from outside the house or moisture trapped inside it can cause stains and possibly mold or mildew.
![damaged roof decking with asphalt shingles](/-/media/images/content/card-with-link/card-image/gaf/plan-design/warning-sign-4.jpg?as=0&width=510&hash=BA43C40955156C377CD16CC19372008B)
Sheathing decay
Another issue with poor ventilation and moisture in your layers of roofing materials is the decay of sheathing — also called decking — which is the layer of plywood that forms the foundation of your roof. If you notice a sagging ceiling, broken gutters, leaks or missing patches of shingles, your sheathing may be damaged.
![close up of cracked roof tiles](/-/media/images/content/card-with-link/card-image/gaf/plan-design/close-up-of-cracked-roof-tiles.jpg?as=0&width=510&hash=5C3D186C52146372106AA0BD0A1B1CEF)
Shingle damage
When shingles reach the end of their useful life, you may notice they fall off or become cracked, brittle or curled, which means it may be time for a new roof.
![dark streaks on roof shingles](/-/media/images/content/card-with-link/card-image/gaf/plan-design/warning-sign-6.jpg?as=0&width=510&hash=3BB69C427A2157C2C5CFC3F97DF32A2A)
Dark streaks
It may look like dirt, but dark stains on your shingles may be moss, lichen, or blue-green algae. This may not require a new roof, but if and when you do replace your shingles, ask for StainGuard® and StainGuard® Plus protection, which are available on many GAF shingles.
How to do roof inspection
Conducting routine inspections of your roof — especially if you live in an area that experiences extreme weather — can help you prevent exterior damage from creating interior problems.
Start inside
- Look around your attic for signs of leaks, dark spots, holes, or sagging sheathing
- Check your ceilings for stains, mold or mildew
Step outside
If you’re comfortable climbing a ladder, you can see your roof up close. If not, you can do a relatively thorough inspection from the ground, using binoculars.
- Clean leaves and debris out of gutters and downspouts, check them for sagging or leaks
- Look in hidden areas, like the underside of eaves and fascia — the board that connects the roof to the outer walls of your house — for rotting or signs of animal infestation
Head to the street
- From this distance, look for dark spots, missing shingles or sagging
- See if the exterior paint is blistering or peeling
- If you live in an area with icy or snowy winters, keep an eye out for ice dams — ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof — because if water can’t drain off the roof, it may leak into your home
Examine the roof
- Check for cracked, torn, warped or missing shingles and popped or rusted nails
- Look for open seams or joints and make sure roof vents aren’t covered or clogged
- Note areas that sag or appear unsound
- Make sure pipes and roof penetrations, like your chimney or skylights, are sealed and don’t have any exposed nails
- Make sure flashing, which is used to seal joints and keep water off of them, is not damaged or providing inadequate coverage
Keep an eye on your roof
- Know how old your roof is. If you didn’t install it and you’re not sure, check the inspection report from when you purchased your home. You can also ask a roofing company or building inspector to look at the roof and estimate its age and condition.
- Spot-check your roof twice a year, once in spring, once in fall. Use a ladder to access it and look for trouble spots, but also check your attic for damage. Not feeling up to it? Reaching out to a professional roofing contractor for help inspecting is always the best option.
- Watch the homes around you — they experience the same weather yours does and were likely built around the same time. If your neighbors are getting new roofs, do a roof inspection to see if your home needs one too.
- After a significant weather event, like heavy winds or a hail storm, check for exterior damage as soon as it’s safe.
![We’re here to help you through the storm with information on how to select the right contractor, tips on navigating insurance claims and a guide for your restoration process.](/-/media/images/content/cta-row-with-image/row-image/gaf/tile-hailstorm.jpg?as=0&width=764&hash=2419F2038B1943CF80725A30F5E02F1A)
Impacted by a storm?
We’re here to help you through the storm with information on how to select the right contractor, tips on navigating insurance claims and a guide for your restoration process.
![Layers of a residential roof](/-/media/images/content/cta-row-with-image/row-image/gaf/lrs-card2.jpg?as=0&width=764&hash=895AC20479C0DFAF026D21D300E924D3)
What Goes Into a Roof?
See everything that goes into the roof over your head. Spoiler alert: It's a lot more than shingles.
The GAF Lifetime Roofing System. Durable protection. Lasting beauty.
![Roofing contractor nailing GAF roof shingles](/-/media/images/content/cta-row-with-image/row-image/gaf/contractor-nailing-gaf-roof-shingles_720x480.jpg?as=0&width=764&hash=E80CFA0DD5545FCB9402B59CBCC3ABB7)
Find a GAF Factory-Certified Contractor
At GAF, we evaluate thousands of roofers in the country and make sure they're insured and state licensed (where required) so they can offer our best warranties.