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Common roof problems

Damaged or curling shingles: causes, what to check, and how it is fixed

Curling, cracking, and bald spots are how shingles age under the LA sun. We tell you honestly whether to patch or plan a new roof.

How shingles fail

  • Sun bakes them until they curl and crack
  • Granules wash off, exposing the mat
  • Wind lifts and tears them
  • Age simply wears them out
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The problem

Shingles wear where the sun hits hardest

Asphalt shingles do their job by lying flat and holding their granules, the mineral coating that shields the asphalt from the sun. In Los Angeles, the constant sun is the main enemy. Over the years it bakes the shingles until the edges curl up, the surface cracks, and the granules wash off into the gutters. Once a shingle curls or loses its granules, it stops shedding water the way it should, and the mat underneath starts to break down.

Wind is the other factor, lifting and tearing shingles that the sun has already made brittle. A few damaged shingles on an otherwise sound roof is a repair. But widespread curling, bald patches across the whole roof, and granules filling the gutters are signs the roof is near the end of its life, not a spot to patch. The honest call depends on how far along the wear is, which our page on signs you need a new roof covers.

We repair damaged shingles through shingle roof repair, and where the wear is widespread, we lay out the options plainly, from a repair to a full replacement.

Signs of shingle damage

  • Shingles curling up at the edges
  • Cracked or split shingles
  • Bald spots where granules are gone
  • Granules collecting in the gutters
  • Torn or missing shingles after wind
Shingles curling?

We will tell you honestly: patch or plan

No upsell, just a straight read on your roof. Call (310) 806-5959 or request an estimate.

What to check

How to gauge the wear

1

Look at the spread

A few bad shingles is a repair. Curling and bald patches across the whole roof point toward replacement.

2

Check the gutters

Granules filling the gutters mean the shingles are shedding their protective coating and wearing out.

3

Consider the age

Shingle lasts fifteen to thirty years. Near the top of that range, wear is expected, as our roof lifespan page covers.

4

Watch for leaks

Cracked or torn shingles let water through, so pair any new stain with a look at the shingles above it.

How we fix it

  • Replace cracked, curled, and torn shingles
  • Match the replacements to your existing roof
  • Check the underlayment and deck beneath
  • Reseal flashing and edges where needed
  • Advise honestly on repair versus replacement
The fix

Repair the spots, or plan the reroof

Where the damage is limited, we replace the bad shingles and match them to your roof as closely as the age of the existing shingles allows, then check the underlayment and deck beneath. On aged shingle, a new patch can look brighter than the faded field around it, and we tell you that upfront rather than surprise you.

Where the wear is widespread, patching is spending money on a roof that is finished, and we say so, laying out the choice between repair and replacement plainly, as our page on repair versus replace covers. Either way, the goal is the honest call for your roof and budget, backed by a written roof inspection. If you are weighing a new roof, our page on tile versus shingle helps you choose the next material.

Shingle FAQ

Common questions

Usually sun and age. The LA sun bakes asphalt shingles over the years until the edges lift and the surface cracks. Once they curl, they stop shedding water properly.
It means the shingles are losing their protective coating, which exposes the asphalt to the sun and speeds their decline. A little is normal early on; a lot points to real wear.
If the damage is limited, yes. If curling and bald spots are widespread, patching only delays a replacement you will pay for soon. We give you the honest read.
On faded shingle, a new patch can look brighter than the field around it. We tell you what to expect before we start rather than surprise you.
Request an estimate

Get your shingles assessed

Tell us what the roof looks like. We assess the wear and give you a written price and an honest call, with no obligation.

Call us direct(310) 806-5959

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