Roof Inspection & Assessment in Wainscott, NY

Look for the pattern, not a single leak. Asphalt: curling, cracked or bald shingles and granules in the gutters, typically past 20 years. Cedar: widespread cupping, splitting, soft spots and shakes sliding out, past 25–30. Flat: ponding that lasts more than 48 hours and seams lifting. Any roof: daylight in the attic, staining on rafters, leaks at different spots in different storms, or a second layer already on. One failure on a young roof is a repair ($350–1,500 typical); several failures on an old roof is a replacement. A roof inspection, about $250 on average, settles it in writing.

By age and evidence together. Architectural asphalt is usually done at 20–30 years, cedar at 20–40, EPDM or TPO at 20–30, standing seam at 40–70+, slate rarely (hard slate 75–200 years; restore it instead). Replace sooner if you see widespread curling or cupping, granules or shakes in the gutters, daylight in the attic, repeated leaks at different spots, or a second layer already on the roof. Insurers also start asking questions at 15–20 years, and some will not renew without an inspection or replacement.

Plan on 20–40 years. The Cedar Shake & Shingle Bureau puts the average at 30–40 years and a well-maintained roof at up to 50. In the Hamptons the spread is driven by exposure and maintenance: a shaded Northwest Woods roof that is cleaned every 3–5 years and re-treated every 5–7 can reach the long end; an oceanfront roof in Montauk or Sagaponack that never sees a brush will sit at the short end, and its flashing, fasteners and gutters will usually fail before the wood does.