How can I tell if my roof is damaged or nearing the end of its life? A Hemet homeowner’s guide from All Seasons Roofing
Quick answer:
- Look for leaks, stains, or musty odors indoors.
- Check for missing, curled, or cracked shingles, slipped or broken tiles, or worn flat-roof membranes.
- Watch for granules in gutters, sagging ridgelines, loose flashing, and daylight in the attic.
- Consider roof age: in Hemet, asphalt typically lasts 18–25 years, tile underlayment 20–30, flat 15–25, and metal 40–70+.
- When in doubt, schedule an inspection with All Seasons Roofing, our Hemet roofing company, to assess remaining life and stop small issues from becoming costly.
Why Hemet roofs wear differently Hemet’s intense sun, UV exposure, big day-to-night temperature swings, and Santa Ana winds push roofing systems harder than many other regions. Heat embrittles asphalt, UV dries sealants, winds lift edges and flashings, and sudden heavy rains find weak spots.
Our Hemet roofing company, All Seasons Roofing, tailors inspections and recommendations specifically for these conditions.Indoor clues you should never ignore Your roof can be failing even without a dramatic leak. Walk through your home and attic and look for:
- Ceiling or wall stains, especially near exterior walls or around light fixtures.
- Musty odors, peeling paint, or bubbling drywall that suggests trapped moisture.
- In the attic: visible daylight at ridge or eaves (other than vent openings), damp insulation, rusty nail tips (a sign of condensation), or darkened sheathing.
- Energy changes: if your home feels hotter and your AC runs longer, poor ventilation or a failing roof system could be contributing.
Ground-level exterior checks Stay safe—most homeowners can spot red flags from the ground with binoculars:
- Overall shape: a sagging ridge or dips in the roof plane can indicate deck decay.
- Shingle roofs: missing tabs, curling edges, blistering, bald spots, or widespread granule loss (check gutters and downspouts for sand-like grit).
- Tile roofs: cracked, slipped, or displaced tiles; exposed underlayment at eaves and valleys; excessive debris in valleys that can dam water.
- Metal roofs: lifted or missing fasteners, rust at seams, deteriorated sealant, or panels that appear displaced.
- Flat/low-slope roofs: standing water that lingers more than 48 hours after rain, “alligatoring” (cracks), open seams, blisters, or punctures.
- Flashings and penetrations: rust, gaps, uplifted edges, or failed sealant around chimneys, skylights, vents, and solar mounts.
- Gutters and edges: overflowing debris, detached sections, or water stains on fascia that point to backflow under shingles or tiles.
Material-specific aging signs
Because Hemet homes use a variety of roof types, All Seasons Roofing looks for clues unique to each material:
- Asphalt shingles: curling, cupping, cracked tabs, nail pops, loss of granules, and exposed fiberglass mat. When shingles lose most of their granules or the edges won’t lay flat, the roof is near the end.
- Concrete/clay tile systems: tiles often outlast the waterproofing underneath. If you see leaks around eaves or valleys on a 20–30-year-old tile roof, the underlayment may be failing even if tiles look intact. Slipped tiles and broken corners accelerate underlayment wear.
- Metal roofing: chalking or fading is common with age, but corrosion, loose fasteners, and seam separation are the real concerns. Pay attention to sealant at penetrations and transitions.
- Flat roofs (TPO, PVC, modified bitumen): ponding water, membrane splits, open laps, and blistering are signs of aging. Edge metal and parapet flashings are frequent leak points.
Age matters—especially here
Even a roof that looks okay from the ground can be at the end of its service life based on age and climate. In Hemet, our Hemet roofing company sees typical lifespans like:
- Asphalt shingles: 18–25 years with good ventilation and maintenance.
- Tile systems: tiles 40–75+ years, but underlayment typically 20–30 years before replacement is needed.
- Metal: 40–70+ years, depending on coating and fastener system.
- Flat/low-slope: 15–25 years, material dependent. If your roof is close to or beyond these ranges, it’s smart to plan with All Seasons Roofing before problems escalate.
What wind and sun really do to your roof
- Santa Ana winds can lift shingles, crack tiles, and loosen flashings. After a wind event, look for displaced materials and call our Hemet roofing company for a checkup.
- UV and heat bake shingles and underlayment, causing adhesives to fail and sealants to crack. “Cool roof” materials and proper ventilation can slow this damage; we can evaluate your attic airflow and recommend upgrades.
Solar panels and your roof’s health
Solar arrays are common in Hemet. On shingle roofs, look for leaks around mounts and conduit penetrations.
On tile roofs, the interaction between tile, underlayment, and solar attachments must be detailed correctly. If you’re planning solar on an older roof, All Seasons Roofing recommends addressing the roof first to avoid rework later.
Repair or replace: how to decide Repairs make sense when:
- Damage is isolated (e.g., a few missing shingles, a small flashing issue, a handful of broken tiles).
- The roof is relatively young and otherwise sound. Replacement is often the better investment when:
- You see widespread wear (granule loss across many slopes, many cracked or slipped tiles, multiple flat-roof blisters or open seams).
- Leaks recur at different locations.
- The roof is near or past its expected lifespan.
- You’ve had multiple repairs within a short period with diminishing results. Tile roofs are a special case: we often perform “lift-and-relay” projects—replacing the failing underlayment while reusing most tiles—to restore waterproofing without the cost of all-new tiles.
How All Seasons Roofing evaluates your roof
A professional inspection from our Hemet roofing company provides clarity you won’t get from a quick glance:
- Exterior review: surface condition, flashings, edges, penetrations, valleys, and transitions—often with drone photos for documentation.
- Attic assessment: ventilation, moisture, and decking integrity.
- Moisture detection: meter readings and thermal imaging when needed to find hidden leaks.
- Straightforward report: photos, prioritized recommendations, and an honest estimate of remaining service life.
- Options: targeted repairs, roof tune-up, or replacement plans, including cool-roof materials and tile underlayment strategies suited to Hemet.
Simple steps to extend roof life
- Clean gutters and clear debris from valleys and around skylights.
- Trim branches 6–10 feet away from the roof to reduce abrasion and debris buildup.
- Schedule annual inspections and post-storm checkups with All Seasons Roofing.
- Replace damaged shingles or tiles promptly; avoid walking on tile when possible.
- Refresh sealant at flashings before it dries and cracks.
- Improve attic ventilation and insulation to reduce heat stress.
- Coordinate roof work before adding solar to minimize extra penetrations.
When to call a pro immediately
- Active leaks or ceiling stains after rain.
- Sagging decking, soft spots, or a sudden spike in interior moisture.
- Wind damage you can see from the ground (missing shingles, displaced tiles, torn membrane).
- Ponding water that persists on flat roofs. All Seasons Roofing can provide emergency tarping and a fast assessment to protect your home.
Your next step
Catching roof damage early is the difference between a simple repair and a major project. If you suspect your roof is nearing the end of its life—or you just want a professional opinion tailored to Hemet’s climate—contact All Seasons Roofing.
Our Hemet roofing company will evaluate your roof, explain what we find in plain language, and give you a clear plan to protect your home and budget.