7 Signs You Might Need a New Roof

Most homeowners do not think about their roof until something goes wrong. A stain on the ceiling, a missing shingle after a storm, or a roofer knocking on the door after a windstorm. But by the time you notice a problem from inside the house, the damage has usually been building for a while.

Here are seven signs that your roof may be nearing the end of its life, and what to do about each one.

1. Your Roof Is Over 20 Years Old

This is the simplest indicator. Asphalt shingle roofs in the Pacific Northwest typically last 20 to 30 years. If yours is past 20, it is worth having it inspected even if everything looks fine from the ground. Many problems start small and are only visible up close.

If you are not sure how old your roof is, check your home inspection report from when you bought the house. Your county assessor's records sometimes list the permit date for the last roof replacement. Or call a roofer for an inspection, and they can estimate the age based on the shingle condition.

2. Shingles Are Curling or Buckling

Healthy shingles lie flat against the roof. When they start to curl (edges lifting up) or buckle (a wavy, distorted look), they are losing their grip and their waterproofing ability.

Curling happens for a few reasons: age, poor ventilation causing heat buildup in the attic, or the shingles were installed over an old layer without proper prep. Once shingles curl, they are vulnerable to wind lift and water infiltration. A few curled shingles in one spot might be a repair. Curling across the whole roof is a replacement signal.

3. Granules in the Gutters

Asphalt shingles are coated with small, gritty granules that protect them from UV and water. Over time, these granules wear off and wash into the gutters. A small amount is normal, especially on a new roof (excess granules shake loose in the first year). But if you are finding piles of granules in the gutters or at the bottom of your downspouts, the shingles are losing their protective layer faster than they should.

Look at the shingles themselves. If you can see dark, bare patches where the granules are gone, the shingle is exposed to UV and water and will break down quickly.

4. Missing or Cracked Shingles

One or two missing shingles after a big storm is a repair, not a crisis. But if shingles are regularly going missing, or if you see cracked and broken shingles across the roof, the material is failing. Brittle shingles crack because they have dried out and lost their flexibility, which happens with age and poor ventilation.

Walk your yard after a storm and look for shingle pieces on the ground. Check the roof from the ground with binoculars. If you see a patchwork of missing, mismatched, and broken shingles, it is time to talk about replacement.

5. Dark Streaks or Stains on the Roof

Dark streaks running down the roof are usually algae. In Kitsap County, we see more moss than algae, but both are signs that moisture is sitting on the roof surface longer than it should. Algae streaks are mostly cosmetic, but they can signal that the roof's ability to shed water is compromised.

Moss is the bigger concern. Thick moss growth lifts shingle edges, traps moisture, and causes rot in the decking. If your roof has a heavy moss layer that has been there for years, the damage underneath may be worse than it looks from outside. (Here is how to deal with moss the right way.)

6. Light Visible in the Attic

This is the test that surprises most homeowners. Go into your attic on a bright day and turn off the lights. If you can see pinpoints of daylight through the roof boards, water is getting through too.

While you are up there, check the underside of the roof sheathing. Look for dark stains, water marks, or soft spots. Feel the wood. If it gives when you press on it, it has started to rot. These are signs that the roof has been leaking, possibly for a long time, even if you have not noticed water inside the living space.

7. Sagging Roof Deck

A healthy roof line should be straight and even. If you stand back and look at your roof from the street and see a dip, a sag, or a wavy line where it should be straight, the decking underneath may be compromised.

Sagging can be caused by long-term water damage, inadequate structural support, or excessive weight (multiple layers of old shingles stacked up). A sagging roof is not just a cosmetic issue. It is a structural concern that needs attention before it gets worse.

What to Do If You See These Signs

If one or two of these apply to your roof, start with an inspection. A roofer can get on the roof, check the trouble spots, and tell you whether a repair will hold or whether you are better off with a replacement.

If three or more of these signs are present, you are likely looking at a replacement. That does not mean it has to happen this week, but it should be on your radar. A planned replacement on your schedule is always better (and cheaper) than an emergency repair after a storm.

How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Kitsap County?

For a typical single-family home in the Silverdale or Bremerton area, a new asphalt shingle roof runs roughly $10,000 to $18,000 as of 2026, depending on the size of the roof, the pitch, the number of layers to tear off, and how much decking needs to be replaced. A metal roof costs more up front (typically $18,000 to $32,000) but lasts far longer. These are general ranges for our area, and your real number comes from a free on-site estimate.

We give free, no-pressure estimates with the full price in writing, so you know exactly what you are paying for before any work starts.

Free Roof Inspection

If your roof is showing any of these signs, Silverdale Roofing will inspect it at no charge. We are a local, family-owned company, so you talk to a real person who climbs up, takes photos, and gives you a straight answer. If it is time for a roof replacement, we put the full price in writing before we start and back the work with a lifetime workmanship warranty. We serve homes across Silverdale, Bremerton, Poulsbo, Port Orchard, Kingston, and Bainbridge Island. Call (360) 979-3324. We will tell you what we find, give you our honest recommendation, and leave the decision to you.

Related service: Roof Replacement