10 Signs You Need a New Roof in New Jersey

Your Roof Is 20+ Years Old

Age is the single most reliable indicator that a roof needs replacement. Most asphalt shingle roofs in New Jersey last 20 to 30 years, but NJ's harsh weather often pushes that lifespan toward the lower end of the range. If your roof has reached this age, scheduling a professional roof inspection is the best first step.

If your roof was installed more than 20 years ago, it has endured hundreds of freeze-thaw cycles, multiple nor'easters, and years of UV exposure. Even if it looks acceptable from the ground, the underlying materials may be deteriorating.

Curling or Buckling Shingles

Shingles that curl upward at the edges or buckle in the middle are losing their ability to protect your home. Curling happens when the asphalt dries out and contracts, while buckling often indicates moisture trapped underneath or improper installation.

In New Jersey, the combination of summer heat and winter cold accelerates this process. Shingles expand and contract with temperature swings, and after years of this cycle, the material fatigues and deforms permanently.

• - Cupping: Edges turn upward while the center sinks, creating a concave shape
• - Clawing: Edges stay flat but the center rises, creating a convex hump
• - Buckling: Visible ridges or waves running vertically up the roof slope

A few curled shingles can be replaced individually. But if curling is widespread across the roof, the entire shingle layer has reached the end of its useful life.

Missing Shingles After Storms

New Jersey gets hit by powerful storms regularly. From nor'easters with 60+ mph winds to summer thunderstorms with hail, your roof faces severe weather events multiple times each year.

Losing a shingle or two in a major storm is normal and usually means a simple roof repair. But if you are losing shingles in moderate wind or finding bare patches after every storm, the adhesive strip on your shingles has failed. This means the entire roof is vulnerable and replacement should be a priority.

Granules Accumulating in Gutters

The small, sand-like granules on asphalt shingles are not decorative. They protect the underlying asphalt from UV radiation and provide fire resistance. When these granules wear off, your shingles degrade rapidly.

Some granule loss is normal during the first year after installation. But if you notice excessive granules in your gutters, at the base of downspouts, or washed into landscaping beds, your shingles are deteriorating. You may also see bald spots on the shingles themselves where the dark asphalt layer shows through.

Heavy granule loss in NJ is often accelerated by ice damming in winter. When ice forms at the roof edge, it traps water that works under shingles and scours away granules from the underside as it freezes and thaws.

Daylight Visible Through Roof Boards

Go into your attic on a sunny day and turn off the lights. If you can see pinpoints of light coming through the roof deck, water can get through those same gaps. This is one of the most urgent warning signs because it means the roof structure itself is compromised.

While you are in the attic, look for dark stains or streaks on the underside of the roof sheathing. These indicate past or current water infiltration. Also check for any soft or spongy areas in the wood, which signal rot from prolonged moisture exposure.

Sagging Roof Deck

A sagging roofline is a serious structural issue that demands immediate attention. When the roof deck sags, it means the supporting structure underneath has been weakened by moisture, rot, or excessive weight from multiple shingle layers.

Stand at the street and look at your roofline. It should be straight and even. Any dips, curves, or drooping sections indicate structural problems that go beyond the shingles themselves. The longer you wait, the worse the damage gets and the more expensive the repair becomes.

In Essex County, we frequently see sagging caused by ice dam damage in towns like Nutley and Montclair. When ice dams repeatedly force water under shingles, the roof deck absorbs moisture, weakens, and eventually begins to sag under the weight of the roofing material above it.

Water Stains on Ceilings or Walls

Brown or yellowish stains on your ceiling or upper walls are a clear sign that water is getting past your roof. Even small stains indicate a breach somewhere in your roofing system, whether it is failed shingles, deteriorated flashing, or compromised underlayment.

Water stains do not always appear directly below the leak source. Water travels along rafters, sheathing, and other surfaces before dripping onto your ceiling. A stain in a bedroom might originate from a leak 10 or 15 feet away on the roof.

If stains appear during or after rain, the leak is active. If stains are present but not growing, you may have a seasonal leak that only occurs during specific conditions like ice damming or wind-driven rain, both of which are common in New Jersey winters.

Rising Energy Bills

Your roof is a critical component of your home's thermal envelope. When it fails, heated or cooled air escapes through gaps, poor insulation contact, and compromised ventilation, driving up your utility bills.

If your energy costs have been creeping up without a change in usage habits, your roof may be the culprit. A deteriorating roof often means the underlayment has gaps, the ventilation system is not functioning properly, or the insulation in the attic has been compressed or damaged by moisture.

New Jersey homeowners who replace an old roof with a properly ventilated system and modern underlayment often see energy savings of 10 to 25 percent. The improvement is most noticeable during summer cooling and winter heating seasons.

Moss or Algae Growth

Green moss patches or dark algae streaks on your roof are more than a cosmetic issue. Moss holds moisture against the shingle surface, which accelerates deterioration. Over time, moss roots can work their way under shingle edges and pry them loose.

New Jersey's humidity, especially during summer months, creates ideal conditions for moss and algae growth. North-facing roof slopes and areas shaded by trees are particularly susceptible because they retain moisture longer.

Light algae staining (Gloeocapsa magma, the black streaks common on NJ roofs) is primarily cosmetic and does not require replacement by itself. However, thick moss growth indicates chronic moisture retention that shortens shingle lifespan. If moss has been present for years, the shingles underneath are likely significantly degraded.