Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home — but also one of the most expensive to replace.

Many homeowners wonder: When is it time to replace a roof, and when can it be repaired or treated instead? Here’s what to look for, depending on the type of shingles you have.

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Signs of Failure in 3-Tab (Organic Felt) Shingles

Older 3-tab shingles are made with a paper-based felt mat. These are less stable and tend to fail in visible ways.

Warning Signs

• Curling or cupping: Felt base absorbs moisture and loses oils, causing shingles to curl upward or cup.
• Cracking or splitting: As asphalt dries out, shingles split across the tab.
• Granule loss: Gutters fill with granules, leaving bald spots on the roof.
• Leaks or water stains: Appear once shingles lose flexibility and waterproofing.

⚠️ Rule of thumb: If more than 30% of shingles are curled, cracked, or missing, replacement is usually the best option.

Signs of Failure in Architectural (Fiberglass) Shingles

Modern architectural shingles are made with a fiberglass mat. They’re more stable and usually don’t curl, but they fail in other ways.

Warning Signs

• Granule loss: Asphalt exposed to UV damage.
• Surface cracking: Fine fractures appear across the surface.
• Blisters: Raised “bubbles” signal trapped moisture and asphalt breakdown.
• Color fading: Patchy fading from oxidation and oil loss.
• Laminate separation: Layers split apart, weakening wind resistance.
• Exposed fiberglass: Visible white/shiny fibers = shingle has lost protection and can no longer shed water.

⚠️ Any of these conditions — especially exposed fiberglass — means the roof is at or near end of life.

When a Roof Can Still Be Saved

Not every roof with wear and tear needs immediate replacement. If the structure is sound and shingles are mostly intact, GoNano treatments can extend life significantly:

• Roofs under 5 years old: Preventative treatment → add 15+ years
• Roofs 5–15 years old: Restorative treatment → add 10+ years
• Older roofs (still watertight): Budget treatment → add 3–5 years, buying time before replacement

✅ This approach lowers the annual cost of ownership and reduces landfill waste from an early tear-off.

👉 Learn more about roof treatments in Edmonton.

How Exceptional Surfaces Edmonton Ltd. Helps

We do more than just spray a treatment. Before applying GoNano products, our team:

• Inspects the roof to confirm it’s a good candidate for treatment.
• Performs minor repairs like sealing small leaks, replacing shingles, or fixing flashing.
• Recommends the right treatment based on shingle type, age, and condition.

This ensures the treatment performs as intended — maximizing roof life.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have older 3-tab shingles or newer architectural shingles, the signs of failure differ — but the end result is the same if ignored: leaks, water damage, and expensive replacement.

By knowing what to look for — and working with professionals who can inspect, repair, and treat your roof — you can often keep it in service for years longer.

If you’re not sure whether your roof needs replacement or could benefit from treatment, reach out to Exceptional Surfaces Edmonton Ltd.

Book your inspection and assessment →