---
title: "Signs You Need to Re-Shingle Your Roof | NEMA Roofing"
description: "The signs you need to re-shingle your roof: curling, cracked or missing shingles, granule loss, attic stains and age, plus when a repair is enough instead."
url: "https://nemaroofing.com/roof-re-shingle/roof-re-shingle-when-and-why-your-home-needs-it/"
updated: "2026-09-30"
---

**The signs you need to re-shingle your roof are shingles that are cracked, curled or missing in more than one area, bare patches where the mineral granules have worn off, stains or wet spots on the attic side of the roof deck, and a roof that has reached the age when asphalt shingles are usually replaced.** The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association calls a residential roof more than 20 years old “a prime candidate for reroofing.” One sign alone often means a repair; several together usually mean new shingles. To have your roof looked at, call NEMA Roofing at [866-631-3366](tel:866-631-3366).

## What does re-shingling a roof mean?

Re-shingling replaces the shingle layer of a sloped roof. It is done one of two ways. In a full replacement the old shingles and underlayment come off down to the wood deck, damaged boards are replaced, and new underlayment, flashing and shingles go on. In a recover, a new layer of shingles goes over the old one, which the California Residential Code allows only in limited cases. Both need a building permit. The difference between the two, and how to choose, is covered in [how to plan a roof re-shingle](https://nemaroofing.com/roof-re-shingle/how-to-plan-a-smooth-and-cost-effective-roof-re-shingle/).

## Signs you can see from the ground

Walk around the house with binoculars, or take zoomed photos from each side, and compare what you see with this table.

| What you see | What it usually means |
| --- | --- |
| Shingle edges curling up or the middle cupping down | The shingles have dried out with age and sun; curled edges catch the wind and break off |
| Cracked or split shingles | The asphalt has turned brittle; cracks let water reach the underlayment |
| Missing shingles or tabs, often after wind | The sealant strips have let go; if it keeps happening on several slopes, the whole layer is failing |
| Bald or smooth patches, granules collecting in the gutters | The granules shield the asphalt from sunlight; once they are gone the shingle wears through quickly |
| Several colors of shingle from past patches | The roof has been repaired piece by piece; the next leak is likely somewhere else |
| A dip or wave in the roof line | A deck or framing problem under the shingles; have it inspected before any re-shingle is priced |
| Dark streaks on an otherwise sound roof | Usually algae growth; on its own it is a looks problem, not a reason to re-shingle |

## Signs inside the house

- In the attic, with a flashlight: dark stains or wet spots on the underside of the deck and rafters, especially around chimneys, vents and valleys.
- Points of daylight showing through the boards.
- Insulation that is damp, flattened or stained.
- Water marks or bubbling paint on ceilings and on the upper parts of outside walls.

Any one of these means water is getting past the shingles and the underlayment. Whether that calls for a repair or a new roof depends on how many places it is happening and how old the shingles are.

## How much does the roof’s age matter?

Age sets the expectation, and the roof’s condition confirms it. A 2007 life-expectancy study by the National Association of Home Builders put asphalt shingle roofs at about 20 years, which matches the manufacturers’ own reroofing guidance above. Strong sun and summer heat wear the asphalt and granules faster, and the difference across NEMA’s service area is large: NOAA’s 1991-2020 climate normals count about 104 days a year of 90 degrees or more in Redlands, against about 2 at the Oxnard airport. A roof inland may show its age sooner than the same shingle on the coast, while a well-ventilated attic and clean gutters help a roof reach its full life. If you do not know when the roof was last replaced, the building permit history for the address often shows it.

## Repair or re-shingle?

| A repair usually makes sense when | Re-shingling usually makes sense when |
| --- | --- |
| The damage is in one area, such as a few shingles lost in a storm | Curling, cracking or granule loss shows up on several slopes |
| The roof is well inside its expected life | The roof is near or past the age above |
| One leak with a clear cause, often flashing or a vent boot | Leaks keep returning in different places |
| The deck is dry and firm | Soft spots or stains in the attic point to a wet deck |

For a fuller comparison, read [roof repair vs. full replacement](https://nemaroofing.com/roof-repair-near-me/roofing-repair-near-me-vs-full-roof-replacement/).

## Why waiting usually costs more

Worn shingles leave the underlayment to do all the work, and underlayment is not designed to be the top layer. Once water gets through it, the wood deck is next: wet boards rot and have to be replaced during the re-shingle, which adds to the bill. Water in the attic also soaks insulation and stains ceilings, and damp materials grow mold. The EPA’s guidance is that the key to mold control is moisture control, and that wet materials dried within 24 to 48 hours in most cases will not grow mold. A roof that leaks slowly for a whole rainy season does not dry that fast.

## What to do next

1. Note what you saw and where, with photos.
2. If water is coming in, protect the inside and ask for a repair first.
3. Book an inspection before the rainy season; the [roofing inspection checklist](https://nemaroofing.com/roof-inspection/roof-inspection-checklist-what-to/) shows what a good one covers.
4. Ask for a written estimate that names the shingle line, the underlayment and the flashing work.

NEMA Roofing re-shingles homes across Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and [San Bernardino County](https://nemaroofing.com/service-areas/san-bernardino-county/), with crews working from its Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Downey locations. Our [roof installation service](https://nemaroofing.com/our-services/roofing-installation/) and [roof replacement service](https://nemaroofing.com/our-services/roofing-replacement/) pages explain what the work includes. To find out if your shingles need replacing, call NEMA Roofing at [866-631-3366](tel:866-631-3366).