I’ve run into this a lot, especially with insurance adjusters who seem to judge a roof by surface stains alone. Algae streaks are super common, especially in humid areas, and they don’t mean the shingles are shot. I’ve seen 5-year-old roofs get flagged just because of some discoloration—meanwhile, the granules are still intact and there’s zero curling or cracking.
One time, I had to walk an inspector through the difference between cosmetic issues and actual wear. He was convinced the roof needed replacing, but after I showed him the manufacturer’s guidelines (and a couple of photos from the original install), he backed off. It’s wild how much paperwork can matter.
Honestly, I wish more folks kept records like you do. It makes a huge difference when you have to push back. Inspectors aren’t always wrong, but sometimes they’re just in a hurry or don’t want to argue. Doesn’t hurt to be a little persistent if you know your roof’s still got life left.
I’ve had adjusters call out “age” on roofs that were barely six years old, just because of some black streaks. Down here, algae hits fast—doesn’t mean the shingles are toast. Had to show one guy the shingle warranty and a moisture meter reading before he’d even listen. It’s wild how much a little documentation can change the whole conversation.
Had a similar thing happen with my last place. The inspector swore the moss meant the roof was ancient, but it was only seven years old—just a lot of shade from big oaks. Ended up pulling out the paperwork, too. Sometimes I think they just see green and assume the worst.
- Seen that too—moss and lichen seem to freak out some inspectors, but honestly, they’re more about environment than age.
- Had a 10-year-old asphalt shingle roof in the Pacific Northwest—looked ancient after a wet winter, but no leaks, and the sheathing was solid.
- Pulled up the install date on my phone and the guy still looked skeptical…guess some folks just don’t trust the paperwork.
- I’ve started using a zinc or copper strip near the ridge to slow down moss growth. Not perfect, but it helps.
- Anyone else run into inspectors who get fixated on cosmetic stuff? Wondering if it’s just a regional thing or if it happens everywhere.
- Curious—did your insurance company care at all, or was it just the inspector making noise? Mine never mentioned it.
Had a similar situation last year—
Even when I showed time-stamped photos from the install, he got hung up on some algae streaks and moss patches. What I’ve noticed is, some inspectors zero in on surface stuff and don’t bother checking the actual condition underneath. When I do a roof check, it’s always: 1) Look at the shingles close-up for granule loss or curling. 2) Check for soft spots in the sheathing. 3) Only then worry about cosmetic growth like moss.the guy still looked skeptical…guess some folks just don’t trust the paperwork.
Out of curiosity, has anyone tried those newer composite shingles that claim to resist moss more? Wondering if they actually make inspection smoother or if it’s all just marketing...
