Warning Signs Your Roof May Not Survive the Next Storm

You don't need to climb on your roof to spot many critical warning signs. Here's what to look for during a ground-level inspection—ideally using binoculars for a closer view:

1. Missing, Cracked, or Curling Shingles

What to look for: Visible gaps where shingles have blown off, shingles that are cracked or split, or shingles that are curling upward at the edges or buckling in the middle.

Why it matters: Missing or damaged shingles are the first line of defense that has failed. In a storm, wind can catch curled edges and rip off entire sections, exposing your underlayment and decking to water damage.

2. Granule Loss and Bald Spots

What to look for: Dark patches on shingles where the protective granules have worn away, or accumulation of granules in your gutters and downspout splash blocks.

Why it matters: Granules protect shingles from UV damage and provide fire resistance. Without them, shingles deteriorate rapidly and become brittle—making them far more likely to crack and fail during storm winds.

In Myrtle Beach's intense summer sun, granule loss accelerates dramatically. A roof losing granules has likely lost significant wind resistance.

3. Sagging Roof Lines or Dips

What to look for: The roofline should be straight. Any visible dips, waves, or sagging sections indicate structural problems.

Why it matters: Sagging typically indicates water damage to the decking or rafters, overloaded structure, or improper original installation. A compromised structure is far more likely to fail catastrophically in a hurricane.

4. Damaged or Missing Flashing

What to look for: Flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and where roof meets walls. Look for rust, gaps, lifted edges, or missing sections.

Why it matters: Flashing seals the most vulnerable points on your roof. Driving rain during storms can exploit even small gaps, causing significant water intrusion. Once water gets under flashing during a storm, it can travel far before you see interior damage.

5. Moss, Algae, or Vegetation Growth

What to look for: Green moss, black algae streaks, or any plant growth on your roof surface.

Why it matters: While algae (those black streaks common in Myrtle Beach) is mostly cosmetic, moss and vegetation growth hold moisture against shingles. Over time, this moisture degrades the shingle material and can lift edges—creating wind-catch points during storms.

6. Gutter Issues and Water Damage Signs

What to look for: Gutters pulling away from fascia, visible rot on fascia boards, staining on exterior walls below roofline, or peeling paint.

Why it matters: These signs indicate ongoing water management problems. During storm conditions with heavy rain, these weaknesses become major failure points—water intrusion can cause fascia to detach, taking gutters and even edge shingles with it.

Your roof's age is one of the most significant predictors of storm performance. Here's how different roof ages typically fare—and what you should expect:

The Critical 15-Year Threshold

Most asphalt shingle roofs begin showing significant storm vulnerability around the 15-year mark. At this age:

• Shingle adhesive strips have weakened significantly, reducing wind resistance
• Underlayment (the waterproof barrier under shingles) is approaching failure
• Flashing sealants have typically cracked and lost adhesion
• Granule loss has reduced UV protection, accelerating deterioration
• Shingles become brittle and more prone to cracking under stress

If your roof is 15+ years old and you haven't had a professional inspection before hurricane season, you're taking a significant risk. A pre-storm inspection costs a fraction of emergency repairs or a full replacement after failure.

Every storm your roof has survived may have left hidden damage that compounds risk for the next storm. Understanding this cumulative effect is critical for Myrtle Beach homeowners:

The Cumulative Damage Problem

Roofs don't fail suddenly—they fail progressively. Each storm, even if it didn't cause visible damage, may have:

• Loosened shingle seal strips that aren't visibly lifted but have lost adhesion
• Stretched or weakened flashing from wind stress
• Caused micro-cracks in shingles from hail or debris impact
• Pushed water under flashings causing hidden rot
• Stressed structural connections between roof and walls

Signs of Unrepaired Previous Damage

Look for these indicators that previous storm damage was never properly addressed:

Improper Repairs Create New Vulnerabilities

Unfortunately, we often find that previous "repairs" have actually created new problems:

• Excess roof cement – When too much tar or cement is applied, it cracks and creates channels for water
• Improper shingle nailing – Nails placed too high or low create weak points
• Mismatched materials – Different shingle types don't interlock properly
• DIY vent boot repairs – Often fail faster than the original
• Storm chaser work – Quick, low-quality repairs done for insurance money often fail in the next storm

Living on the South Carolina coast creates unique roofing challenges. Here are warning signs specific to our coastal environment:

Salt Air Corrosion Damage

Within 5 miles of the ocean, salt-laden air accelerates metal corrosion dramatically:

• Rust on flashing – Galvanized steel flashings may show orange/brown rust within 5-10 years
• Corroded fasteners – Roof nails and screws can rust, losing holding power
• Deteriorated vent caps – Metal roof vents may show pitting and rust
• Stained or pitted gutters – Aluminum oxidation from salt exposure

Hurricane Strap and Tie-Down Issues

Homes built before 2000 may lack proper hurricane straps connecting the roof to walls:

• Check your attic for metal straps connecting rafters to wall top plates
• Missing or corroded straps significantly increase roof blow-off risk
• Newer codes (post-2006 in SC) require improved tie-downs

Wind Damage Patterns Unique to Coastal SC

Our coastal winds create specific damage patterns:

• Southwest-facing roof slopes take more punishment from prevailing winds
• Roof edges and corners experience 2-3x higher wind forces than center
• Homes near beach or marsh have less wind obstruction, higher exposure
• Elevated homes (common on barrier islands) face increased wind load

Humidity-Related Warning Signs

Myrtle Beach's 75%+ average humidity creates specific issues:

• Excessive attic moisture – condensation on roof decking or insulation
• Mold or mildew in attic – indicates ventilation problems
• Swollen or warped decking – moisture absorption weakens structure
• Persistently damp insulation – reduces R-value and adds weight

These humidity-related issues compromise roof structure before a storm even arrives, making failure during high winds far more likely.

Your attic reveals warning signs invisible from outside. Here's what to check:

Critical Attic Red Flags

For a complete guide to attic ventilation in our humid climate, see our Roof Ventilation for Coastal Homes Guide.

While you can spot many warning signs yourself, professional inspection catches problems invisible to untrained eyes. Here's when professional assessment is essential:

Mandatory Professional Inspection Situations

• Before hurricane season – April/May inspection catches issues before June 1
• After any significant storm – document damage for insurance, catch hidden issues
• Roof is 15+ years old – critical assessment of remaining lifespan
• Buying or selling a home – protect your investment
• Visible warning signs appear – get professional assessment of severity
• After any insurance claim – verify repairs were done correctly

What Professional Inspectors Check

Our 21-point inspection includes items homeowners typically can't assess:

• Shingle adhesion testing – are seal strips still bonded?
• Moisture meter readings – detect hidden water in decking
• Flashing integrity at critical points – including areas you can't safely access
• Ventilation adequacy calculations – is your attic properly ventilated?
• Structural assessment – load-bearing capacity and connection integrity
• Remaining lifespan estimate – honest assessment of years left
• Wind rating verification – is your roof rated for coastal wind speeds?

If you've identified warning signs on your roof, here's your action plan:

Repair vs. Replace Decision

Many homeowners wonder whether to repair warning signs or replace the entire roof. General guidelines:

For detailed guidance, see our When to Repair vs Replace Your Roof in Coastal SC guide.