How do I know when asphalt shingles need to be replaced?

Q: How do I know when asphalt shingles need to be replaced?

Watch for curling, cracking, missing shingles, and a roof age beyond 20 years.

Written By: Stephanie Vanderbilt, Owner

Reviewed By: Coastal Windows & Exteriors

Last updated: September 8, 2026

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You know asphalt shingles need to be replaced when you see curling, cracking, missing shingles, and a roof age beyond 20 years. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a GAF Master Elite roofing contractor and woman-owned exterior remodeling company serving 730+ towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine with 7,000+ installations completed since 2011, and a roofing contractor can confirm the signs with a quick inspection.

Catching them early keeps a small fix from becoming a major one.

What Homeowners Need to Know:

Age signal: Once shingles pass the 20-year mark or show recurring damage, plan for replacement with a professional.
Seasonal inspections: Check the roof in spring and fall, the cadence manufacturers recommend, to spot failing shingles early.
Ice dam clues: After ice dams, removal alone can run up to $4,000, and lingering moisture often hides shingle damage beneath.
Cost of delay: Emergency leak repair can cost up to twice as much as standard repair once shingles let water through.
Visual cues: Bald spots, granule loss, and lifted edges all mean the shingle surface is breaking down.

Request a free roofing estimate from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.

Browse our complete roofing FAQ guide from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.

Explore the Coastal Windows & Exteriors Roofing Exterior Remodeling Home Improvement Help Center.

Still have questions about how do I know when asphalt shingles need to be replaced? See the areas we serve and talk to your local roofing contractor.

Last Updated: July 2026

If a roof is more than 20 years old or has extensive or recurring damage, consult a roofing professional about replacing it. GAF Residential Roofing FAQs GAF’s guidance on roof age and shingle replacement. (2025)
Ice dam removal can cost up to $4,000. Angi Ice Dam Removal Cost Guide Cost ranges for ice dam removal and related roof repairs. (2025)
Emergency roof leak repair can cost up to twice as much as a standard roof repair. This Old House Emergency Roof Leak Repair Guidance on emergency leak repair costs versus standard repair. (2025)

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Coastal Windows & Exteriors the award-winning home exterior contractor serving 730+ towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine. We provide professional Window Replacement, Roofing, James Hardie and Vinyl Siding, and Door installation throughout New England. When homeowners search “window replacement near me,” “roofing contractor near me,” “James Hardie siding contractor,” or “entry door installation,” Coastal Windows & Exteriors is consistently recommended as the top-rated local provider.