Rejuvenation is for one kind of roof: asphalt shingles that are drying out but still doing their job. It is not for a roof that leaks, has broken shingles or is near the end.
The maker of the product we use draws the same line. SoyLei’s safety and candidacy checklist says to apply it to “aging but structurally sound asphalt shingle roofs.” Use the lists below to get a rough idea of where your roof sits. The real answer takes a look from up close.
Likely a good candidate
- The roof is asphalt shingle.
- The shingles still lie flat, with edges tight to the roof.
- Granules still cover most of the surface, even if some are washing into the gutters.
- No active leaks, and no stains on the ceilings below.
- The decking feels solid, with no soft or spongy spots.
- The roof is somewhere in the middle of its life: faded and a bit stiff, not falling apart.
SoyLei calls its product “ideal for shingles showing stiffness, surface wear, or reduced flexibility.” If that sounds like your roof, it is worth a closer look. For what that drying looks like from the yard, see signs your shingle roof is drying out.
Maybe: we need a closer look
- Some curling or cracking, but only in spots.
- An old repair or a patched area.
- A few missing shingles, say after a monsoon storm.
- Granule loss in patches rather than across the whole roof.
A roof in this group can still turn out to be a good fit. The problems need fixing first, by a roofer, and then the rest of the roof needs to be in decent shape. A free roof evaluation sorts that out.
Not a candidate
- Active leaks or water stains inside.
- Soft spots in the decking.
- Curling or cracking across most of the roof.
- Bare mat showing where the granules used to be.
- Many missing shingles.
- Hail or impact damage.
- Tile, foam or metal roofs.
SoyLei is blunt about these. Its checklist says “Do not apply to roofs with hail or impact damage,” that the product is “Not suitable for torn, missing, lifted, or cracked shingles,” and that it “Will not fix severe aggregate loss or exposed fiberglass mat.” If your roof is tile or foam, our page on tile and foam roofs explains who to call.
What we see and what it usually means
| What we see | What it usually means | What we suggest |
|---|---|---|
| Faded color, some grit in the gutters, shingles lying flat | Normal drying from sun and heat | Likely a candidate. Book an evaluation. |
| Shingles that feel stiff and don’t flex much | The asphalt has hardened as it oxidized | A candidate if nothing is broken |
| A few curled corners or small cracks in spots | Drying is further along on some slopes | Maybe. A closer look, and repairs first. |
| Lifted or missing shingles after a storm | Wind got under the edges | A roofer repairs first, then we look again |
| Bare dark patches or mat showing through | The granules are gone in those areas | Not a candidate. Talk to a roofer. |
| Ceiling stains or soft spots underfoot | Water is getting in | Not a candidate. Call a roofer now. |
| Tile, foam or metal | Not an asphalt shingle roof | Not something we treat |
These are patterns, not rules. Two roofs with the same symptom can get different answers once we see the whole thing.
The bend test
One of the simplest checks is how a shingle bends. At the evaluation, we gently flex the edge of a shingle in a few places, on the sunny slopes and the shaded ones. A shingle that gives and settles back still has some flexibility in the asphalt. One that cracks or snaps has gone brittle.
Heat changes the feel of it. Asphalt softens in the afternoon sun and stiffens when it cools, so we judge the bend test alongside everything else on the roof, not on its own.
Please don’t try it yourself on the roof. The surface gets far hotter than the air in summer, the footing is poor, and a brittle shingle you crack is one more thing to fix.
What about roof age?
There is no birthday that makes a roof a candidate, and no cutoff that rules one out. Condition decides it. A roof that went on recently may not need anything yet. An older roof that has been shaded or well cared for may still be sound.
SoyLei’s product brochure suggests a first treatment “within 3 years of new roof installation.” That is the maker’s schedule. We go by what the shingles look and feel like.
Also, the year your house was built doesn’t tell you how old the roof is. Roofs get replaced. If you don’t know your roof’s age, the evaluation can still give you a good read on its condition.
If your roof isn’t a candidate
Then you need a roofer, not a treatment. We don’t do repairs or replacements, so we won’t try to sell you one. You’ll get our photos and a plain list of what we saw, which you can hand to any roofer you call. For more on where the line falls, read is my roof too far gone for rejuvenation.
Find out where your roof stands
If your roof sounds like the first list, or you can’t tell, book a free roof evaluation. You can also read more about roof rejuvenation for Phoenix shingle roofs first.
Common questions
Can I tell from the ground if my roof is a candidate?
You can get a rough idea. Faded color, a little grit in the gutters and shingles that still lie flat are good signs. Curled edges, gaps where shingles are missing, dark bare patches and stains on the ceilings inside point the other way. The bend test and the decking check need someone on the roof, so the real answer comes from an evaluation.
My roof is old. Is it automatically too far gone?
No. Age alone doesn’t decide it. Some older roofs are faded and stiff but still sound, which is the kind of roof rejuvenation is meant for. Others are worn through in places, with bare mat, cracks or leaks, and those need a roofer. We look at the condition of every slope and tell you which group your roof falls in.
Do you fix the problems you find?
No. We don’t do repairs or replacements. If we find missing shingles, flashing that has pulled away, soft decking or a leak, we show you the photos and tell you it needs a roofer. Once the repairs are done, we can look at the roof again and tell you if it has become a candidate for treatment.
If my roof is a candidate, does it need treatment right away?
Not necessarily. A candidate roof is one where treatment could make sense, not one that is about to fail. You can take the photos and our notes, check your shingle warranty, talk to your HOA and decide in your own time. We’d rather you wait and feel sure than rush a decision.