Most roofs don't fail overnight — they tell you they're wearing out first. Here are the seven signs we look for on Salem-area homes. If you spot several of these together, it's worth getting a professional look before a small problem becomes a leak.
A standard composition roof lasts roughly 20–30 years depending on the product and the conditions. If yours is pushing that age — especially here, where rain and moss are hard on a roof — it's smart to have it checked even if it looks okay from the ground.
Shingles that are curling at the edges or cupping in the middle have lost their weather seal. It's one of the clearest signs a roof is near the end of its life.
Those little granules protect the shingle from UV. When you find piles of them in your gutters or downspouts, or see bare, shiny patches on the shingles, the roof is breaking down.
This is an Oregon special. A little moss can be cleaned and treated. Heavy moss that's lifting shingles and holding moisture against the roof shortens its life and can lead to rot. If moss is well established, get it looked at.
Water stains on ceilings, a musty attic, or daylight coming through the roof boards all point to a roof that's letting water in. Sometimes that's a repair; sometimes it's a sign the system is failing.
A roof line that dips or sags can mean trapped moisture and weakened decking underneath. This one's worth acting on sooner rather than later.
Cracked or lifting flashing around chimneys, vents and walls is a common source of leaks. If the field of the roof is also worn, it may be time to replace rather than keep patching.
You don't have to figure this out from the ground. We'll come take an honest look and tell you straight — repair or replace — with no pressure either way. We check for dry-rot, wet-rot and pest damage under the roof so nothing gets missed.
Get a free, no-pressure estimate from the owner. We'll tell you straight whether it's a repair or a replacement.
Jeremy Dumanovsky Roofing · Salem, OR · roofing homes across the Mid-Willamette Valley since 1998.
Free, no-pressure estimates. You'll meet the owner, not a salesman.