When it comes to maintaining your home, your offense is your best defense. Meaning, taking a proactive approach in looking for signs of damage early on, before it becomes a huge repair, is your best bet at protecting your home and saving yourself some money. It can be hard to know the signs of certain types of damage, but when it comes to your roof, there are a handful of telltale signs you can look for as well as steps you can take to prevent damage to your roof or when you notice some of the early signs of damage.
Visible Signs Outside
Your roof includes so many different parts, all of which deserve attention when it comes to checking for needed repairs, as many of them could cause a potential leak. One way to start your inspection is by taking an intentional look at some of these different parts of your roof. An initial visual inspection does not (and should not) have to include you getting on to your roof and walking around, as this should be avoided for anyone who does not have the proper gear and experience to do so. Here are a few aspects of your roof that you can look at to inspect potential damage.
Missing Granules – There are several types of shingles (or roofing material) that all have different signs for damage. The most commonly used type is the asphalt shingle, and there are a couple of clear cut signs that they have withstood some damage. Asphalt shingles are topped with granules in order to add extra weight and protection to the roof, as well as some color. One of the biggest culprits for missing granules is hail storms. If your home has been hit by larger hail (1” in diameter) you will probably be able to notice gaps in the shingle granules from the ground, however, it might take the trained eye from an inspector to see it if it’s much smaller, but even impact from much smaller hail can cause roof leaks.
Cracked or Missing Shingles – Regardless of what the material your shingles are made of, cracked or missing shingles are easy to spot and should be addressed quickly. This can be caused by hail, flying debris, or even thermal tearing which is when extreme temperature changes cause the shingles to split. Any kind of tear or crack in the shingles creates a prime spot for moisture to get through, causing a roof leak.
Stains – If you notice dark spots on your roof that might look like water stains, it is likely caused by an algae build up. While this blue-green algae might not necessarily cause serious damage, it can exacerbate it. Along with being a little unsightly, this algae becomes more difficult to deal with the longer it grows, and if it finds its way into any cracks in your roof, it makes them more difficult to repair. Additionally, when algae gets into those small cracks that might form in your roof, mold is likely to develop as well, which can also have some serious repercussions.
Damaged Flashing – Roof flashing plays a crucial role in preventing roof leaks, and it is installed strategically in places that are high risk for leaking for that exact purpose. Flashing typically comes in the form of strips of metal that are bent in order to act as a seal for areas that are more susceptible to leaks. You might notice flashing along any valley points of a roof, where the chimney meets the surface of the roof, or where any other objects are installed like skylights, solar panels, or vents. The crease where the shingles meet these objects creates the ever so slight opportunity for water to seep through, so flashing plays a vital role in stopping it.
Clogged or Damaged Gutters – The purpose of the gutter system is to move water that has rolled off of your roof away, typically to a downspout aimed at an area that won’t do damage to your home. When gutters become clogged, however, instead of water being diverted away, it can start to overflow and ends up sitting stagnant on the edge of your roof. This can cause damage and can lead to roof leaks. It is important to keep your gutters cleaned out and repaired when necessary. Not only can a clogged gutters mean damage to your roof, but if the water leaks out due to punctures or missing sections of the system, the water can affect your home’s foundation, costing thousands to repair.
Visible Signs Inside
While there are many signs of roof damage outside, there are a few markers of a damaged roof inside your house as well. If you notice any of these issues, you probably have a roof leak on your hands.
Discolored Paint – If you notice lines or drip marks on your wall where the paint is slightly stained from the water, it is likely that you have a leak somewhere. Keep in mind, a roof leak isn’t the only kind of possibility, as it could also be from a plumbing issue as well.
Attic – If you can get into you attic and you notice that there are wet or water stained rafters or insulation, it is likely that the water is coming from a roof leak. It can be hard to pinpoint where the leak is starting, as the water can travel a long ways to whatever area you eventually find it puddling in. Try and trace the water to the original source so that you can know what you are dealing with in terms of potential roof damage.
What to do Next
As soon as you either detect damage to your roof that could potentially cause a leak or a leak itself, the best thing you can do is call a professional roofer to come and assess the damage. A trained eye can help pinpoint the cause of the damage and help create the best plan in solving the problem. But don’t wait until you already notice issues with your flat roof in Victoria, instead, preemptively schedule a routine inspection. Having at least a yearly routine inspection can help you avoid bigger repairs by catching issues when they are still small and insignificant. If you haven’t had your roof checked out this year, or if you suspect your roof might have been damaged recently, call Cox Brothers Roofing to have the best roofing team in south Texas come take care of you!