How do I know if I need a new roof?
By Best Roofing Answers · Published May 2026 · Updated July 2026
You likely need a new roof if it is older than about 20 years, shows field-wide granule loss or curling on more than 30% of shingles, has multiple leaks in different areas, shows a visible sag, or the last repair estimate exceeds 50% of full replacement cost — any two of these together usually tips the decision from repair to replace.
The six signals
Per NRCA field guidance and the industry-standard repair-vs-replace rule set: (1) age above the material's typical lifespan; (2) granule loss visible in gutters and downspouts; (3) curling, cupping, or bald patches across large areas; (4) two or more active leaks in different locations; (5) visible sag in a roof plane; (6) repair estimates that approach or exceed 50% of a full replacement quote.
Any single signal alone can still be a repair; two or more together almost always favor replacement. See the full repair-vs-replace decision hub for the numeric rules.
Sources
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