Identifying Roofing Issues Before they Escalate

Most homeowners don’t think about their roofs as often as they should. It’s one of the most critical parts of your home that holds it all together, protecting you and your loved ones.

In time, wear and tear occur, usually starting small and spiraling out of control without your intervention. Knowing how to spot the signs of trouble early can help you avoid major repair costs.

Be a savvy homeowner and know how to identify roofing issues before they escalate.

Watch Out For Leaks

Leaks are one of the biggest problems for any home, though they are easy to spot if you know what to look for. You will see water stains on your ceilings or walls. Peeling paint and discolorations are also common with leaks. When there’s heavy rain outside, take a look in your attic. If you notice damp insulation or see puddles, you’ll want to get the roof repaired before things get worse.

Look for Shingle Damage

Older shingled roofs can clearly indicate their state of health. If you see curling shingle edges or missing shingles, you’d better set up repairs with a reliable roofing company. Even if shingles aren’t missing, you may notice granule loss, which can indicate trouble for your roof. Shingles that are compromised are less effective at protecting your home, allowing moisture to seep in.

Sagging Spots on the Rooftop

When you look up at your roof, if you see any areas that appear to be sagging, get help from a roofing company immediately. This usually indicates rotting or structural damage. You may have a sagging roof from excessive snow piling up or heavy rains. A sagging roof could be prone to collapse and it’s not something that will get better if you ignore it.

Watch Your Gutters

You might not realize it, but gutters play an integral role in the health of your roof. If they become clogged or damaged, they won’t direct water away from your home. Instead, water will pool on top of your roof and cause leaks and water damage. Keeping your gutters clean and checking the downspouts for blockages from leaves and other debris can go a long way to prevent problems for your roof.

Unpleasant Interior Odors

If you detect unpleasant odors inside your home, it can be a sign of a roof problem. Musty and moldy smells are a sign of mold growth, generally from hidden water intrusion in your attic. Additionally, changes in the indoor temperature when you haven’t adjusted your thermostat may reveal trouble.

It’s important to be proactive as a homeowner and look for the early signs of roof damage. By keeping an eye out for shingle damage, leaks, gutter blockage, and sagging, you’ll be able to get problems fixed before they get worse.

You may not want to deal with it now, but if you have one of these problems, it’s going to get worse. When it does, it will be much more time-consuming and expensive to fix.

Go now to find out the next steps to take when you’ve spotted one of these roofing issues.