I get why people say reinforcement is a good idea, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always necessary. My place is 28 years old, original shingles, and after last year’s storm I half expected to find a disaster up there. But when the inspector checked, everything was solid—no rot, no sagging, just some worn-out flashing. Maybe I got lucky, or maybe not every older roof is secretly falling apart.
I do agree about checking for hidden damage, especially if you’re adding solar or something heavy. Still, sometimes it feels like contractors push upgrades “just in case,” and that adds up fast. Not saying skip repairs if there’s real damage, but I wouldn’t assume every old roof needs major work after a hurricane unless there’s actual evidence. Maybe it depends on the builder or materials too... My neighbor’s roof is only 10 years old and he’s already had leaks twice. Go figure.
ROOF SURVIVED HURRICANE, BUT WAS IT JUST LUCK?
That’s wild—28 years and the original shingles still holding up after a hurricane? I’d be staring at the ceiling every time it rained, just waiting for that first drip. Sounds like you got a solid build, or maybe just the right combo of luck and maintenance.
I get what you mean about contractors sometimes pushing extra work. My uncle’s house is only 15 years old, and he’s had three different roofers tell him he “needs” a full tear-off after every big storm. He finally got up there with a flashlight himself and found out it was just a couple of cracked tiles and some missing sealant. Not saying there aren’t cases where big repairs are needed, but sometimes it feels like folks go straight to worst-case scenario.
Funny thing is, my neighbor’s place is newer than mine—metal roof, supposed to last forever—and he’s already patched it twice because of wind-driven rain sneaking under the ridge cap. Meanwhile, my asphalt shingles (about 18 years old) have only needed a few replaced here and there. It really does seem like quality of install and materials makes a huge difference, not just the age.
I do think you’re right about checking for hidden stuff, especially if you’re thinking about adding solar panels or anything heavy. But yeah, I wouldn’t rip up a roof just because it’s “old” if it’s still doing its job. Sometimes the old stuff surprises you.
Guess it just goes to show, you can’t always judge a roof by its age. Sometimes it’s luck, sometimes it’s good craftsmanship, and sometimes it’s just a matter of keeping up with the little fixes before they turn into big ones.
I wouldn’t rip up a roof just because it’s “old” if it’s still doing its job. Sometimes the old stuff surprises you.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’d push back a bit on that. Age isn’t everything, but after 25+ years, even a roof that looks fine on the surface can have hidden issues—especially after a hurricane. I’ve seen more than a few “survivor” roofs start leaking months later, once all that wind-driven rain finds its way in through tiny cracks or lifted flashing.
It’s true some contractors jump to worst-case, but sometimes folks wait too long and end up with rot or mold inside the decking. A quick flashlight check might not catch soft spots or moisture under the shingles. I’m not saying tear it off just for being old, but I’d at least get a real inspection after a big storm, not just a visual from the ground.
Funny thing, I’ve seen newer metal roofs fail before older shingles too—usually comes down to install quality and whether flashing was done right. But luck runs out eventually... especially in hurricane country.
I hear you, but I’m still not convinced every old roof is a ticking time bomb. My neighbor’s place is pushing 30 years with the original shingles—survived two hurricanes and a hailstorm, and the only thing leaking is his patience with HOA letters. I get the “hidden damage” worry, but sometimes these old roofs are like cockroaches... just refuse to die. Maybe it’s luck, maybe it’s stubborn nails, who knows. I’d say if you’re not seeing stains or sagging inside, maybe don’t panic just yet.
sometimes these old roofs are like cockroaches... just refuse to die.
Funny you say that—my place is only 12 years old, but I’m already seeing a couple of shingles curling up. Makes me wonder if it’s all about the install or just random luck. Did your neighbor ever get an inspection after those storms, or just ride it out?
