When to Fix Your Roof

In Michigan’s climate, most standard asphalt shingle roofs last 20–25 years. Premium architectural shingles can reach 30+ years when properly installed and maintained. Michigan’s freeze-thaw cycles, ice dams, and hail accelerate wear faster than in milder states. A roof that looks fine from the street may already be losing its protective layer. Regular inspections — especially after major storms — are the best way to know exactly where your roof stands.

Ice dams form when heat escaping from your attic melts snow on your roof, which then refreezes at the colder eaves and creates a ridge of ice. Water backs up behind that dam and seeps under your shingles — causing leaks, rotted decking, damaged insulation, and interior water damage. Ice dams are a sign of an attic ventilation or insulation problem, not just a weather problem. Fixing ventilation is the long-term solution. EverNew assesses attic ventilation as part of every free roof inspection.

First, do a ground-level visual check for obvious signs: missing shingles, shingle debris in your yard, or dented gutters and downspouts (a reliable indicator of hail impact). Do not walk your roof yourself — post-storm surfaces are unstable and unsafe. Schedule a free professional inspection within a few days of the storm while the damage is fresh and documentable for an insurance claim. Time matters: most Michigan homeowners insurance policies have claim filing windows. EverNew provides same-week storm inspections with full photo documentation.

In most Michigan municipalities, a permit is required for a full roof replacement — especially when decking is being replaced or structural work is involved. Minor repairs typically do not require one. EverNew handles all permit applications and inspections on your behalf as part of the project. We are fully licensed and familiar with local building codes across Southeast Michigan, so you never have to navigate permit requirements on your own.

The most visible signs are water stains on your ceiling or walls, bubbling or peeling paint on interior surfaces, and dark spots or mold in your attic. Less obvious signs include a musty smell in upper rooms, higher-than-usual energy bills, and granule buildup in your gutters or at downspout outlets. Roofs can leak for months before water reaches a finished ceiling — by that point, the decking, insulation, and framing may already be compromised. A professional inspection with attic access is the only reliable way to find hidden damage early.

A small problem compounds fast. A few missing shingles become a leak. A leak saturates your roof decking. Saturated decking rots and may require full replacement rather than spot repair. Water that reaches your attic grows mold, damages insulation, and eventually reaches your ceiling, walls, and framing. What starts as a $500–$1,500 repair can escalate into a $15,000+ restoration project if ignored over one or two Michigan winters. Scheduling a free inspection costs nothing and gives you an honest picture of where your roof stands before it gets worse.

Gutters are the drainage system for your entire roof. When they are clogged, damaged, or pulling away from the fascia, water backs up at your eaves — accelerating ice dam formation in winter and causing wood rot at your roofline year-round. Overflowing gutters also drive water toward your foundation and siding. EverNew inspects your gutters and downspouts as part of every free roof inspection. Clean, properly pitched gutters with functional downspout extensions are one of the most cost-effective things a Michigan homeowner can do to extend their roof’s life.