It’s wild how much those HOA rules can limit your options, too... kind of frustrating if you want to upgrade.
Yeah, the HOA thing drives me nuts. I wanted to look into metal roofing after the last storm, but they only allow certain shingle colors and types here. My roof’s about 18 years old, and I’ve patched a few spots, but after the hurricane I did notice a couple of shingles curled up near the ridge. No leaks yet, but I’m watching it. Do you think it’s worth pushing for a full replacement, or just keep patching until there’s an actual problem? The cost difference is huge, but I don’t want to risk water damage either.
Eighteen years is getting up there for shingles, especially after a hurricane’s been through. Curled shingles near the ridge are usually a sign the roof’s at the end of its rope, even if you’re not seeing leaks yet. Patching can buy you time, but it’s a gamble—water can sneak in and cause damage before you notice. If you can swing it, I’d lean toward a full replacement, just for peace of mind. I’ve seen folks wait too long and end up with mold or rotten decking... way pricier to fix than just the roof. The HOA rules are a pain, but sometimes you gotta play by their book.
Eighteen years is a pretty good run for shingles, especially after a hurricane—honestly, I’ve seen some that barely make it ten with our weather. Curled edges near the ridge are like your roof waving a little white flag. Patching’s tempting if you’re not seeing leaks, but man, water’s sneaky... it can travel way farther than you’d think before showing up inside. I get not wanting to deal with the HOA circus, but sometimes ripping the bandaid off is less painful in the long run. Anyone ever try those impact-resistant shingles? Curious how they hold up when storms roll through.
Curled edges near the ridge are like your roof waving a little white flag.
That’s a perfect way to put it. Once those shingles start curling, water finds its way in sooner or later—sometimes you don’t see the damage until it’s gotten into the decking. Impact-resistant shingles do better than standard ones in hail and wind, but nothing’s bulletproof with our storms. You’ll still want to keep an eye on flashing and sealant, too, since even the toughest shingle can’t help if water gets under it.
I get what you mean about curled shingles being a warning sign, but I’m honestly still not convinced that replacing them preemptively is always necessary. My place is only a few years old, and after the last storm, I noticed a couple of edges starting to lift near the ridge. No leaks yet, but it’s hard to tell what’s overkill and what’s just being smart. I did double-check all the flashing and sealant like you mentioned—turns out, one vent had almost no caulk left. Maybe luck helped this time, but I’m hoping regular checks are enough for now.
