8 Signs Your Roof Needs a Repair

8 Signs You Need a Roof Repair

Oftentimes your roof may have damage but you don't even know it. If you don't know how to check your roof, you've probably not previously known what you need to look for.

We know all about roofs, roof damage, and roof repair so here are some signs to look out for.

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1. Sunlight Coming Through Your Roof

One of the more obvious signs of roof damage is if you have holes that let the sunshine through. It might be obvious but it's sometimes missed due to rooms such as attics and other rooms that don’t get used often. This may not happen often, but when it does it can lead to bigger problems down the road.

To find out if you have these small holes in your roof, check for holes by turning off all the lights, and essentially making the room super dark. From there you will be able to look up and see if any light is shining through the roof.

2. Leaking Roof

Another sign that your roof requires a repair is if it leaks when it rains. If you know that your roof leaks, then you should get it repaired promptly. Even minor leaking can cause moisture to get in between cracks within your home and can spread throughout your roofing material. Letting moisture in means it will expand and contract with the temperature change, widening the opening in your roof.

With the moisture in your roofing material, it makes the integrity of your roof start to deteriorate quickly. If not addressed promptly, the roof's structure becomes more dangerous and more expensive to remedy. Next time it rains, peek in your attic and check your ceilings and walls for signs of water leaks. Making this a habit will help ensure you catch any leaks before they lead to catastrophe.

3. Stains On Walls Or Ceiling

When a leak goes undetected over a long period of time, it can often become visible on ceilings and walls. As the moisture builds and moves down into your home, it will also bring the dirt and dust with it. When this murky moisture water begins to soak through the walls and ceilings of your home, it will begin to discolor the paint.

The stains can show up as a greyish brown or a yellow color. Many times when the stain is on the ceiling, it will show up as a circular ring. Whereas on the walls, it will appear as more streaks running down the wall. These stains are a good indication that the leaks have reached all the way into your home. This is a sign of severe water damage and should be addressed right away.

4. Increasing Energy Bill

Just as water and light can leak through a damaged roof, so can air and heat. When your house is leaking, the temperature that your heating and cooling system are trying to keep escapes, making your system work that much harder to try to keep your home at the desired temperature.

If you have noticed that your energy bill continually increases each month, then check to see if the air is leaking out of your roof. There are several reasons why your energy bill could be going up, but checking your roof is an easy way to rule this option out. Check for sunlight streaming through, and check the exterior, as we describe in the next point.

5. Visible Roof Damage

Checking your roof for damage can sound overwhelming to some people and climbing on top of a roof is not advisable for all homeowners or commercial property owners. You can try to inspect the roof from ground level, but climbing up on the roof will make it easier to spot potential issues.

If climbing up on the roof and inspecting for problems is out of your comfort zone or ability, contact a roofing contractor to assess your roof. For those wanting to evaluate for themselves, below is a list of items to look for:

6. Damaged or Missing Shingles

Shingles and tiles act as the essential protective barrier for your roof, warding off the elements and ensuring the interior of your home remains dry. Their state is paramount for the roof's overall health and longevity.

Unfortunately, with time and harsh weather occurrences, these shingles might sustain various damages or even become completely dislodged. For instance, when shingles are missing, it creates a vulnerable spot on the roof, heightening the risk of water infiltration and consequent leaks.

Moreover, impacts such as hailstones or fallen debris can lead to shingles being cracked or broken, thus compromising their waterproof attributes. On occasions, the peeling of shingles can be observed, a sign that either their functional life has been exhausted or they've been exposed to exceedingly rough weather conditions. Occasionally, one might also come across shingles that have curled edges, buckled surfaces, or even a noticeable loss of granules.

All these signs are red flags, indicating a need for a detailed inspection, and possibly a repair or replacement job. It's pivotal to promptly address any issues arising from wind or storm damage, for any delay can further create issues, possibly causing leaks or structural damages.

7. Rot and Decay

Rot and decay on the roof are telltale signs signaling the need for immediate intervention. Prolonged exposure to moisture can spell doom for roofing materials, threatening the roof's structural integrity. Mold and mildew, both belonging to the fungi family, flourish in damp settings and can propagate rapidly across the roof. Besides the structural weakening, they might also present health hazards for those residing within the home.

Other fungi varieties too can be detrimental, some of which can penetrate deep, eating away the wooden structures lying beneath the shingles. Often, visual inspections can reveal rot in the form of discolored patches or areas that have turned soft to touch. In advanced stages, sagging sections or even holes might become evident.

Especially after periods of significant rainfall or in regions with high humidity, it's important to frequently check for rot and decay. If you notice any of these warning signs, seeking advice from roofing experts becomes essential for roofing fixes.

8. Damaged Chimney or Flashing

A chimney that is cracked or has broken bricks may collapse onto your roof, causing serious damage to both your home and potentially those living there. When the flashing is cracked or damaged, it creates a space for moisture to enter. This moisture expands and contracts with temperature change, worsening the problem. Is your roof leaking by a vent pipe? Read our article here for more info.

Why Choose LOA?

Our professional roofers provide a comprehensive range of roofing services for both residential and commercial clients. Roofing types we work with include asphalt, metal, clay tile, shingles, TPO, slate, flat, and more. Besides roofing installations and replacements, we also handle maintenance, roof coatings, hail damage repair, patios, storm and water restoration, emergency services, and more.