Shingle Problems
How do I know if my roof is leaking?
Short answer
Look in the attic before you look at the ceiling: dark staining on sheathing, rusted nail shanks, damp or compressed insulation and a musty smell all show up before drywall does. Water travels along rafters, so the visible stain is often several feet from the entry point.
Where to check
- Attic sheathing around chimneys, vents, skylights and valleys
- Nails protruding through the deck — rust means condensation or leakage
- Insulation that's matted, discolored or damp
- Ceiling and wall corners on the top floor after a driving rain
- Around window headers on the upper level
Leak vs. condensation
In Maine a lot of suspected leaks are attic condensation: warm damp indoor air hitting cold sheathing, frosting, then melting. It shows as widespread light staining and frost on the nails rather than a single track. The remedy is ventilation and air sealing, not shingles.
What a leak means for rejuvenation
An active leak disqualifies a roof from treatment. That's not a technicality — rejuvenation restores flexibility, it does not close a water path. Get the leak diagnosed and repaired first, then the roof can be assessed on its merits.
See if your roof qualifies
Six quick questions about your roof, and an honest read on whether rejuvenation is likely to be a fit for it.
2-minute self-check
Answer six questions from the ground.
This won't replace an on-roof inspection, but your answers shape the recommendation you'll get at the end — including when rejuvenation isn't the right call. "Not sure" is a fine answer.
1.Is your roof roughly 8–25 years old?
2.Do you have any active leaks or interior water stains?
3.Are there shingles missing, cracked through, or hard-curled in sections?
4.Do you see granules collecting in gutters, or fading and dry-looking shingles?
5.Do any roof planes sag, or does the decking feel soft?
6.Does the roof have more than one layer of shingles?
0 of 6 answered — your personalized result appears when you finish.
Before you replace — see if you qualify.
A free roof assessment tells you whether your asphalt shingles still have serviceable life. If they don't, we'll say so and point you to a roofer we trust.