Long before you have standing water in the middle of your bedroom floor, you need to know how to look for important signs that your roof may need to be repaired. By the time your roof collapses or you can see signs of water leakage, it’s too late to have small repairs taken care of. When it reaches this point, you may need to have your roof replaced when it could have been a simple repair had you acted in time.
The truth is, most people don’t think about their roof until they see a leak, but per the National Roofing Contractors Association, home owners need to have a roof inspection in the spring and fall every year. It’s less expensive to hire a roofing pro to inspect a roof than it is to make a major repair that could have been prevented.
If you’re not sure whether your roof is in need of to a repair, below are eight very common signs to watch for.
1.) Plants
Plants can be a beautiful addition to any property. They make a home look warm and inviting and they are appealing to the eye. It’s perfectly normal to have plants around your home. What isn’t normal is to have plants growing from your roof (unless you have a rooftop garden!) and if you should happen to see plants springing forth from the roof, it can mean you have wood rotting beneath your shingles. If you can catch it in time you may be able to have a roofer make a small repair to replace the rotten wood and a small section of shingles. If you have not taken the time to have the roof inspected, you could find that there is structural damage that could lead to a major roofing repair, or even a roof replacement.
2.) Missing, Broken or Bent Shingles
If you see spots where shingles are missing, broken or bent, it’s imperative to have the roof repaired quickly. Sometimes shingles can become damaged during a bad storm and you might see one or two messed up shingles. If you see more than just one or two shingles that need to be replaced, it’s important that you call a roofing company to inspect the roof to see if it needs to be replaced.
3.) Peeled or Blistered Paint Near the Roof
Paint that is peeled or blistered on the outside of your home, especially near the roof, can be a sign that your attic is not ventilated and that there may be excess moisture inside the home near the roof.
4.) Damaged Flashings
If you have flashings around skylights, chimneys, eaves and other roof areas that are separated, bowed out and otherwise in poor condition, the roof needs to be inspected. When flashing begins to go bad, it can lift and let water enter your roof and attic area causing damage that will need to be repaired. If you catch it in time, you might be able to just repair or replace the flashing instead of finding out you have a major roof repair to tackle.
5.) Steadily Rising Energy Bill
If you notice your home heating or cooling bills steadily rising month after month, it may be because you are using more energy to heat and cool the house because your roof has air leaking out of it. Any time an energy bill is steadily rising, the roof needs to be checked for signs of holes or other areas that allow air to escape.
6.) Water Stains on Walls
Water stains on interior walls can be directly linked to a leaky roof in need of repair. In most cases, when water has leaked enough to run down the interior walls, the roof will need to be replaced.
7.) Sagging Roof
If you see the roof sagging in various spots, get a pro to come out and check everything out. Don’t try to climb onto the roof yourself (unless you are a professional roofer). We encourage you to have someone who is a professional take the time to check and see if there is moisture from loose or missing shingles and whether the roof needs to be repaired or completely replaced with a new roof.
Springtime Repairs are a Wise Choice
This spring, if you notice signs of damage to your roof, even if it looks minor, be sure to contact a professional roofing contractor to come out and inspect the entire roof. In most instances, by the time you see water damage or even small leaks inside, the roof damage is severe, and you can find yourself forking out a lot of money for a roof replacement that could have been avoided with a little TLC and a steady inspection schedule.
This blog is a guest post that was provided to Longhorn Roofing by Shelton Roofing https://www.sheltonroofing.com/.
