Check Your Roof in Six Questions
Answer from the ground or a window. You'll see your result right away, with no sign-up.
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Your result
This Sounds Like a Repair
Nothing you described points to a worn-out roof. Small leaks, a few missing shingles, and storm dings are usually fixed without replacing the whole roof. Most roofs we inspect need a repair, not a replacement.
Worth a Free Inspection
Some of what you described could go either way. It might be a repair, or the roof might be nearing the end of its life. A roofer on the roof can tell the difference in about an hour, and we'll show you photos of what we find.
Likely Replacement Territory
The age and the signs you described are what we usually see on roofs near the end of their life. A replacement may save you money over repeated repairs, but an inspection will confirm it. We'll always tell you if a repair will do.
Sagging or soft decking can get worse quickly, especially in a storm. We'd suggest having it looked at soon.
Read More About What You Described
This is a starting point, not a diagnosis. Only an inspection can confirm what your roof needs.
Why We Built This Diagnostic
Homeowners call LOA Construction and Roofing every day sure they need a new roof. Many of them don’t. A few missing shingles, a single leak around a vent, or a little storm damage is usually a repair, and we’ll always be honest if that’s the case. We’ll never try to sell you on a product or service you don’t need.
Other times, a roof that looks fine from the street is near the end of its life, and patching it again just postpones the bill. This diagnostic walks through the same questions our roofers ask on an inspection, so you can get a sense of where your roof stands before anyone climbs a ladder.
How Your Answer Is Worked Out
Each answer adds to a score:
- Age matters most. Roofs wear out on a schedule, and Central Texas heat and UV speed that up. Our guide on how Austin’s climate shortens roof life explains why.
- The material changes the math. Metal and tile roofs last much longer than asphalt shingles, so the same age counts for less.
- What you see adds up. Curling shingles, grit in the gutters, and spreading leaks are signs of a roof wearing out across its whole surface, not in one spot.
- Storms and the decking can change everything. Hail can age a roof years in one afternoon, and sagging or soft decking is a problem under the roof itself.
The score lands in one of three places: likely a repair, worth a free inspection, or likely replacement territory. Whatever your result, you’ll also get links to our guides on the exact problems you described.
Signs a Repair Will Usually Do
- A few missing, cracked, or lifted shingles after a wind storm
- One leak around a vent pipe, chimney, or skylight, where flashing is often the cause
- A small area of damage on a roof that’s otherwise in good shape
- Nail pops or loose ridge caps
Repairs like these are smaller jobs, and they can buy a sound roof many more years. Our page on roof repair in Austin covers what we fix most often.
Signs It May Be Time to Replace
- The roof is past the typical life of its material
- Shingles are curling, cupping, or cracking across many areas, not just one
- Gutters keep filling with granules, the grit that protects shingles from the sun
- Leaks keep coming back in new places after repairs
- The roof line sags, or the decking feels soft
When several of these show up together, repeated repairs tend to cost more over time than a new roof. If that’s where you are, our roof replacement cost calculator shows a price range in about a minute, and our page on roof replacement in Austin explains the process.
After a Hail or Wind Storm
Storm damage is easy to miss from the ground. Hail can bruise shingles and knock off granules without leaving a hole, and the damage shows up as leaks months later. If a storm came through, check the Central Texas Hail Map for reports near your home. LOA can inspect your roof, document any damage, and assist with your insurance claim.
The Only Way to Know for Sure
A diagnostic is a starting point, not a diagnosis. LOA offers no-cost, same-day roof inspections, and drone inspections when you can’t be there. A roofer will check the shingles, flashing, and decking, show you photos of what we find, and give you an honest recommendation. You call the shots from there.
Schedule a free inspection or call us at (512) 375-3654.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Roof Leak Mean I Need a New Roof?
Not usually. Most leaks come from one spot, often worn flashing around a chimney, vent, or skylight, and a repair fixes them. Leaks that keep coming back in different places on an older roof are a different story.
Can You Replace Just Part of a Roof?
Sometimes. If damage is limited to one section and the rest of the roof is in good shape, a section can often be repaired or replaced on its own. Matching older shingles can be tricky, so we’ll talk through how it will look before any work starts.
How Long Does a Roof Last in Austin?
It depends on the material, how well the attic is ventilated, and how many storms the roof has seen. Central Texas heat, UV, and hail are hard on roofs, so they often wear out sooner here than in milder climates. Our guide on how Austin’s climate shortens roof life goes into detail.
Will Insurance Pay to Repair or Replace My Roof?
Storm and hail damage are often covered, while normal wear and age usually aren’t. Every policy is different. LOA can inspect your roof, document storm damage, and assist with your insurance claim.
Is the Roof Inspection Really Free?
Yes. LOA’s roof inspections are no-cost and pressure-free, and they’re often available the same day. If you can’t be home, we can inspect by drone and send you the photos.