What are the signs that my roof needs to be replaced?

Some of the most common warning signs include shingle curling, missing shingles, dark streaking, soft spots, leaks (even small ones), or visible wear around roof penetrations like vents and chimneys. If your roof is older and repairs are becoming more frequent, a replacement is often the safest and most cost-effective long-term solution.

What does the roof replacement process look like?

A typical roof replacement includes: Removing the old shingles and underlayment Inspecting the wood decking for damage Installing ice & water protection (where needed) and underlayment Installing new shingles and ridge venting Replacing flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges Full cleanup with magnets for nails and debris This full-system approach helps prevent leaks and ensures your roof performs properly for years.

What parts of the roof are most likely to leak (and were addressed in this project)?

Most roof leaks don’t start in the “middle” of the roof — they start in detailed areas. This case study highlights why Master Roof pays close attention to vulnerable zones such as: flashing around chimneys/sidewalls valleys where two roof lines meet vent pipes and roof penetrations edges and transitions These are exactly the areas a full roof replacement allows you to rebuild correctly.

Upton MA Roof Replacement, Master Roof GAF HDZ Installation

Roof Replacement in Upton, MA

In Upton, MA, Master Roof was called to replace the roof on a two-story home built in 2006. The roofing system was showing clear signs of age-related failure — lifting shingles, granule loss, and widespread soft, water-damaged OSB sheathing beneath the surface.

A Drone + On-Roof inspection confirmed that moisture had penetrated under the original tar paper, causing the plywood decking to swell and deteriorate. As noted in the inspection report, once OSB becomes saturated, it cannot recover, making full replacement the safest and most cost-effective option for the homeowner.

Project Overview

Asphalt Shingles: GAF Timberline HDZ WeatherWood

Roof Deck: Plywood

Ridge Caps: GAF Timbertex

Ice Shield: GAF ProStart StormGuard

Underlayment: GAF Deck-Armor Synthetic

Roof Size: 30 sq shingles

What We Found During Inspection

Aging and moisture intrusion had compromised shingle adhesion and weakened the decking in multiple areas. Key findings included:

Warped, softened OSB where water had been absorbed under the shingles
Missing ridge caps and deteriorating ventilation components
Moss and algae growth due to trapped moisture and inadequate underlayment
Failing pipe boot seals requiring full replacement

This level of underlying damage meant that surface patchwork wouldn't protect the home long-term. A full roof replacement was the correct solution.

The Master Roof Solution

To restore strength, weather protection, and lifespan to the home, our team completed a full tear-off of all roofing materials down to the decking. All affected OSB was replaced, and the new roofing system was built using Master Roof’s premium GAF-certified process:

Component	Product Used	Purpose
Underlayment	GAF ProStart StormGuard, DeckArmor	Prevents ice, wind-driven rain, and moisture penetration
Main Shingle System	GAF Timberline HDZ Architectural Shingles	High-wind resistance, enhanced adhesion, long-term durability
Roof Deck Protection	New plywood sheathing	Replaces rotted OSB for a solid substrate
Ventilation Upgrades	Replacement vent + ridge cap	Improves attic airflow & shingle life
Pipe Flashing	New boot installation	Ensures watertight seal at roof penetrations

The Result

The home now has a fully rebuilt roofing system designed to last decades, with premium GAF materials protecting against:

Ice dams
Wind uplift
Heat + moisture saturation
Long-term shingle wear

The finished roof blends beautifully with the property, but more importantly - the structure beneath is strong, dry, and secure for years to come.

Overhead view of a house with a gray roof and tan siding. Several cars parked in the driveway.

Close-up of a roof covered in asphalt shingles with a vent installed.

White vent pipe on a brown shingled roof with a wooded landscape background.

Asphalt shingle roof with two vents, angled view. Brown and gray shingles, sunlight, surrounded by trees.

Roof with weathered shingles; a vent pipe and a house are visible in the distance.

Rooftop construction: Saw, guttering, vent pipe, and roofing underlayment on plywood deck.

Roofer working on a house roof. Roof is covered in wood panels. Ladders and a blue truck are nearby.

Overhead view of a roof under construction. Several workers on a blue underlayment, surrounded by tools and materials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the signs that my roof needs to be replaced?
Some of the most common warning signs include shingle curling, missing shingles, dark streaking, soft spots, leaks (even small ones), or visible wear around roof penetrations like vents and chimneys. If your roof is older and repairs are becoming more frequent, a replacement is often the safest and most cost-effective long-term solution.
What does the roof replacement process look like?
A typical roof replacement includes:

Removing the old shingles and underlayment
Inspecting the wood decking for damage
Installing ice & water protection (where needed) and underlayment
Installing new shingles and ridge venting
Replacing flashing around chimneys, vents, and roof edges
Full cleanup with magnets for nails and debris

This full-system approach helps prevent leaks and ensures your roof performs properly for years.
What parts of the roof are most likely to leak (and were addressed in this project)?
Most roof leaks don’t start in the “middle” of the roof — they start in detailed areas. This case study highlights why Master Roof pays close attention to vulnerable zones such as:

flashing around chimneys/sidewalls
valleys where two roof lines meet
vent pipes and roof penetrations
edges and transitions

These are exactly the areas a full roof replacement allows you to rebuild correctly.

Other Roofing Projects in Upton & Surrounding Towns

At Master Roof, we offer exceptional residential roofing services across Upton including roof replacement, repairs, attic ventilation, chimney flashing, skylight installations, roof maintenance, and assessments. Here are some other Master Roof projects in the area.