What are the signs I need a new roof?

What can I check from the ground?

• Curling, cupping or cracked shingles on several slopes
• Bare patches or bald spots where granules have worn off
• Missing shingles, tiles or shakes after storms
• A roofline that dips or sags
• Moss or plant growth lifting the roofing
• Rusted or loose flashing at chimneys, walls and vents

Use binoculars and stay off the roof. Walking on an old roof can damage it and is dangerous.

What can I check from inside?

• Water stains on ceilings or upper walls, especially after rain
• Daylight through the roof boards in the attic
• Damp insulation or dark staining on rafters and sheathing
• A musty smell in the attic

Which signs mean I should call soon?

Active leaks, sagging, and widespread missing roofing after a storm need prompt attention because water damage spreads to framing, insulation and drywall. An insurance letter asking about your roof's age or condition also has a deadline, so act early. With El Niño in the forecast for winter 2026–27, use our El Niño roof checklist before the storms.

What's common on the Bay Area roofs?

What fails first depends on the neighborhood: moss and packed debris under trees in Marin and the East Bay hills, worn flat-roof membranes and parapet flashing on San Francisco row houses, corroded fasteners near the ocean, sun-cracked shingles on inland East Bay and South Bay tract homes, and ponding on Eichler and other low-slope roofs in Santa Clara County.

What should a roofer check up close?

A good inspection covers the roofing on every slope, the flashing, vents and pipe boots, the condition of the deck (often visible from the attic), ventilation, gutters, and how many layers are on the roof. Ask for photos of each problem and a written recommendation. California's code bars adding a new layer over a roof that already has two or more (Section R908), so the layer count matters.

Repair or replace?

If the problems are limited to one area, a repair may be enough. If they're spread across the roof, read repair or replace and check how long roofs last in the Bay Area.