(Polk County, Iowa Guide)
Age of a Roof
If you’re not sure how old your roof is, you’re not alone. Whether you’re buying a home or maintaining your current one, knowing the roof’s age can help you prepare for repairs, replacements, or insurance evaluations. And if your roof is 15 years or older, it’s time to start thinking about next steps.
Let’s start with what you can see—and then move into how public records can give you a more exact date.
👀 First: Visual Signs Your Roof Is Getting Old
Even if you don’t know the installation date, your roof may be showing its age. Here’s what to look for:
🔹 Curling or Cracked Shingles
Shingles that are curling at the edges or cracking down the middle are signs of aging and UV damage.
🔹 Missing Shingles or Exposed Underlayment
If you’re seeing bald spots or underlayment peeking through, your roof is past its prime.
🔹 Granule Loss
Check your gutters or downspouts. If they’re full of coarse, black granules, it’s a sign your shingles are breaking down.
🔹 Discoloration, Moss, or Streaking
Dark streaks or green patches often show up on older roofs—especially in shaded areas that retain moisture.
🔹 Sagging or Uneven Roof Lines
Any dip or bend in your roof could indicate structural damage, water retention, or rotting sheathing—usually after years of wear.
🔹 Interior Water Stains
Brown spots on ceilings or upper walls can mean your aging roof is letting water through, especially after snow melt or heavy rain.
⏳ Why 15 Years Is a Tipping Point
If your asphalt shingle roof is 15 years or older, it’s time to start having serious conversations about replacement. Iowa’s freeze-thaw cycles, hailstorms, and high winds can age shingles faster than the manufacturer’s estimates. Even if leaks haven’t started, the materials may no longer offer full protection.
🗂 Then: Use Local Records to Confirm Roof Age
If you want a definitive answer, your best bet is to check public data. In Polk County and surrounding areas, you can access this information online:
✅ Polk County, Iowa
- Property Search: Polk County Assessor Search
- Look up your parcel and check the “Year Built” and “Improvements” section. A roof replacement might be listed under building permits or improvements.
- For recent work, call Polk County Building Services to ask about permits tied to your address.
🏡 Other Assessor Sites Nearby (Within ~20 Miles of Des Moines)
If you’re outside Polk County or house hunting, here are links to nearby assessor offices:
- Dallas County Assessor – Adel, IA
- Warren County Assessor – Indianola, IA
- Madison County Assessor – Winterset, IA
- Jasper County Assessor – Newton, IA
- Marion County Assessor – Knoxville, IA
- Boone County Assessor – Boone, IA
- Story County Assessor – Nevada, IA
These offices provide property records, building permits, and sometimes sketches or timelines of major work. If the home was reroofed with a permit, it’s often listed.
🧾 Final Tip
If you can’t find any records and visual signs are borderline, ask our team of professional roofing experts at J Bos Roofing. We can estimate the roof’s age based on shingles, installation, wear patterns, and construction methods—and tell you if replacement should be on your short-term radar.
Need help interpreting records or booking a professional inspection? Start local. As Experts for over 30 years in Iowa, we are used to navigating county assessor data and can help you make sense of it. Schedule a brief call with Jeff.
