Generally speaking, new shingled roofs should last upwards of 20+ years. However, many factors, such as proper installation, climate, and ventilation, impact the life of your roof.  Even if your roof shows signs of the symptoms mentioned above, you may not need a total roof replacement.

CAUSES

• Normally a certain number of granules will be loose, especially after application. These granules are called "riders" and are a normal result of the manufacturing process. Granule loss does not affect the service life of the shingles unless granules can be seen missing on the surface of the shingles, thus exposing the asphalt or Fiberglas® mat.
  RECOMMENDATIONS
  
  
• On aging shingles, missing granules indicate a need for replacement.

CAUSES

• Spots are caused by leaks in the roof.
  

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Check attic for leaks in deck.
• Check chimney and vents for cracks in flashing.
• Check rafters for leaks that "travel" away from original source.
• Check eaves for water backing up from ice dams.
• Check roof for damaged shingles.

CAUSES

• Rotting is caused by absorption of moisture by the mat at the core of the shingle. This is a common problem with organic-based shingles.
  

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Replace shingles.

CAUSES

• High nails
• Lack of back coating
• Under-saturation of asphalt felt in organic shingles
• Lack of ventilation
• Improper number of fasteners

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Check location and number of fasteners
• Added roof ventilation can often correct

CAUSES

• Improper fastening
• Exposure to high winds

CAUSES

• Moisture in the shingle

RECOMMENDATIONS

• If the blisters break open revealing the asphalt, the affected shingles should be replaced.
• Consult with the manufacturer of the shingles.

Buckling CAUSES

• Improperly applied felt
• Wrinkled underlayment
• Roof deck movement
• Poor roof ventilation
• New shingles applied over old, rough shingles

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Allow moisture to escape the Roofing System. This can be a slow process and could take until the following spring. Once the Roofing System reaches the proper moisture content, the roof should lay flat and the buckling problem should not return.
• Remove the shingles that are affected. Cut the wrinkle in the felt and replace the shingles.
• Add ventilation to the attic space. The minimum requirement is one square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic floor space if a vapor retarder is not present. If a vapor retarder is present, the amount of required ventilation can be reduced to one square foot of net free vent area per 300 square feet of attic floor space.
• Consult the services of a professional. Make sure to apply shingles in accordance with the shingle manufacturer's recommendations.

Algae growth causes a dark discoloration on roofs. The algae is usually brown to black in color which results in a streaked, dirty looking rooftop. It can be mistaken for soot, dirt or tree droppings, which typically produce only localized discoloration. It's caused by the growth of air-borne algae which deposits on your roof. The good news is that algae growth does not affect the service life of your roofing material. It occurs most often in warm, humid climates such as the Southeast (where algae-resistant shingles are available).