How can you tell if shingles need replacing?
Short answer. Shingles need replacing when they show widespread granule loss with dark bare spots, curling or cupping edges, cracks across the tabs, missing or loose pieces after ordinary wind, or when the roof is past about 20 years and leaks keep returning. One or two damaged shingles can be repaired; damage spread across whole slopes usually means replacement.
Checks you can do safely
- From the yard with binoculars: look for uneven color, dark patches, lifted or missing pieces, and edges that curl up or droop.
- In the gutters and at downspouts: heavy piles of granules on an older roof mean the protective layer is wearing away.
- In the attic: water stains, damp insulation, or daylight around nails and penetrations.
- After a storm: shingle pieces in the yard, or granules sprayed across the driveway.
Stay off the roof. Walking on brittle shingles breaks them, and many Georgia roofs are steeper than they look.
Repair or replace?
A repair makes sense when damage is limited to a few shingles and the surrounding ones are still flexible. It stops making sense when:
- The shingles crack when lifted, so replacing one damages its neighbors.
- The color or style no longer matches anything available, leaving an obvious patch.
- Damage shows up on several slopes rather than one spot.
- You are fixing leaks in different places every year.
Storm damage is different
Hail bruises, cracked tabs and wind-creased shingles on a roof that was otherwise fine may be covered by your homeowners policy. Document the damage with dated photos and have it inspected before you decide, because a repair-only fix can complicate a later claim.
See signs you need a new roof and what to expect from a roof inspection.