Your roof is like a silent guardian—it shields you through Andover’s snowstorms, whipping winds, and humid summers. But no matter how well-built it is, time eventually wins. The trick is spotting the signs before that next nor’easter turns your ceiling into a sponge.
Here’s how to tell when your Andover roof is calling for retirement (and how to act before it’s too late).
Most asphalt shingle roofs last between 20–25 years, but that’s under ideal conditions. In Andover, MA, with its freeze-thaw cycles and brutal winters, many roofs show serious wear after 18 years.
Aging shingles lose their oils, become brittle, and start cracking. If you can’t recall when your roof was last replaced, check old home inspection reports or permits from the Town of Andover Building Division.
👉 Pro Tip: If your roof is older than your teenager, it’s time to schedule a professional roof inspection in Andover, MA.
Take a step back from the curb and really look at your roofline. Do the shingles look like potato chips—curled, blistered, or half-missing? That’s a sure sign of shingle fatigue.
Andover’s winter winds and hailstorms make this worse, especially on older south-facing slopes.
If you find little black specks—like coarse sand—in your gutters, that’s not dirt; it’s shingle granules. These granules protect against UV light. Without them, shingles age rapidly and lose waterproofing.
After heavy rainfall, check your downspouts and driveway. Consistent granule loss means the shingles’ protective layer has failed. You can learn more about asphalt granule loss from GAF’s Roofing Guide.
That faint brown circle on your ceiling isn’t harmless—it’s a slow, sneaky leak. And it rarely stays small.
In Andover’s humid months, leaks can spread through insulation, causing mold and wood rot.
Check for:
These are all red flags. According to EnergyStar.gov, moisture intrusion can also reduce home energy efficiency by 10–15%.
Stand at the end of your driveway and sight along the ridge of your roof. A sag or dip—no matter how small—suggests structural damage or rotting sheathing underneath.
This usually comes from long-term moisture exposure or snow load. Remember the 2023 Andover blizzard? Many local roofs took on hundreds of pounds of snow weight for weeks. That stress leaves scars.
If your roofline looks uneven or wavy, don’t delay—get a roof replacement estimate from a local contractor before winter hits again.
A green, fuzzy roof might look quaint in the Cotswolds, but not in Andover. Moss traps moisture between shingles, slowly decaying the wood beneath.
Why it matters:
Cleaning can help temporarily, but regrowth is likely if the roof is older. Newer shingles come with algae-resistant coatings, which makes a replacement smarter long-term.
If your heating and cooling bills keep climbing even after system maintenance, your roof might be the culprit.
Old, poorly insulated roofs allow heat to escape in winter and trap hot air in summer.
When your attic insulation and roof ventilation fail, your HVAC system overworks—costing you hundreds each year.
Head to your attic on a sunny afternoon, switch off the lights, and look up. If you spot beams of sunlight piercing through boards—bad news. Those same gaps let in rain, snow, and cold drafts.
Small cracks may seem harmless, but they expand over time as Andover’s temperature fluctuates between freezing and humid.
If you can see daylight, your roof’s underlayment is compromised. A patch job won’t hold forever; replacement is the right move.
Flashing is the unsung hero of roofing—it seals joints and prevents leaks around chimneys, skylights, and vents.
Over time, rust, bent edges, and tar cracking lead to leaks that are hard to trace.
If your flashing is still made of roofing cement instead of modern metal or PVC alternatives, it’s outdated.
Replacing the flashing during a new roof installation ensures your home stays watertight even in heavy Andover rainfall.
If you’ve called a roofer more than three times in two years, your roof might be costing you more to repair than to replace.
Each temporary patch only extends the inevitable. It’s like putting a bandage on a cracked foundation. Over time, minor leaks lead to major structural damage—especially in older Andover homes built before 1990.
Instead of chasing repairs, invest in a full roof replacement that comes with a 20–30 year warranty from a certified roofer.
Andover’s humid summers, icy winters, and spring storms create a perfect storm for roof wear.
Ice dams, rapid freeze-thaw cycles, and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph can rip shingles apart.
That’s why roofs here rarely last as long as in milder states. A proactive inspection every 2–3 years can extend lifespan dramatically.