Nobody looks up at their roof until something drips. You can catch most problems from the sidewalk, and catching them early is the difference between a repair and a replacement.
1. A sagging roofline
Stand across the street and look along the ridge. It should be straight. A dip or a wave means something underneath is holding water or has lost structure. This is the one worth acting on quickly.
2. Dark streaks
Usually algae, and mostly cosmetic on its own. It matters because it holds moisture against the shingle, and it tends to show up on the north-facing slope that dries slowest.
3. Lifted or curling edges
Shingles should lie flat. Edges that curl up have lost their seal, and wind gets underneath them. After a storm this is the first place to look.
4. Granules in the gutter
Shingles are coated in granules that block UV. A handful of grit in the gutter after a new roof is normal. A steady accumulation years later means the coating is wearing off and the shingle is aging out.
What to do with what you find
Take a photo from the street, all four sides, on a clear day, and date it. Do it twice a year. If something happens later, a dated before-photo is worth more than any description you can give.
Questions homeowners ask
Can I check my own roof safely?
From the ground, yes — that is the whole point of this list. Do not climb onto a roof to inspect it. The view from the sidewalk catches most of it.
Does one of these mean I need a full replacement?
No. Any one of them is worth a closer look. Two together is worth a call. A single dark streak is not an emergency.
How often should I check?
Twice a year, and after any storm with high wind or hail.
Next step
Own a home in New Jersey? Book a free roof and bill review. Somebody looks at your roof and your last two bills and tells you plainly whether this makes sense for your house — including when the answer is no.
Book a free roof and bill review
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