If you live in the Midwest, you know how much the extreme temperatures can affect your roof. After a long winter with unprecedented amounts of moisture, many people in the area are experiencing roof problems. While some of these roofs can be repaired, others will need to be replaced altogether. The first step, however, is identifying that your roof is leaking. If leaks are discovered early, they can often be repaired with little damage done to the rest of your home or office building. However, if left too long, they can lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage. Here are five signs to look for when trying to determine if your roof is leaking.
1. Missing Shingles or Debris
Thoughwe never advocate anyone climbing up on their roofs to look for missingshingles or damage, you can sometimes spot them from the ground. Even if youdon’t see bald spots on your roof, you may see the actual missing shingle (orparts of it) in your downspouts or in your yard. If you see shingles or shingledebris, it’s a good sign that your roof has been damaged. However, one missingshingle does not mean you will need a whole new roof or even that your roofwill now leak. It simply means some damage has been done and you need aprofessional to come inspect it ASAP to see what needs to be done.
2. Buckling or Curling Shingles
Whenlooking up at your roof or when on a ladder to clear out debris from yourgutters, you may notice that some of your shingles are curling or buckling.This can be caused from everything to improper installation of shingles tomoisture or even hot air in the attic. The point is, if your shingles aren’tlaying flat, they aren’t protecting your roof. Even if you don’t yet haveleaks, you’ll probably get them soon.
3. Water Stains
Water stains on the ceiling are a red flag that there is a problem with the integrity of your roof. Water stains can appear as large puddles ringed with brown that are easy to spot, but they can also be hidden in dark corners or appear as minor discolorations on the walls. If you see something you don’t think belongs on your ceiling or walls, take a closer look. It is wet or is there mold present? If so, you know you’ve got a water stain and need to get in touch with a professional. Even if you’re not sure if you’re looking at a leak or not, it’s still a good idea to get an inspection to find out if your roof is leaking.
4. Drips
Dripsand moisture on the walls are sure signs you have a leak, but many peopledisregard them if they come and go. Even if it’s weeks or months between drips,you should still get them checked out. There are a number of reasons why dripsmay be intermittent, and it can still mean you’ve got a damaged roof.
5. Clogged Attic Soffits
Cloggedattic soffits can indicate that the air chutes on the underside of your roofare compromised. This not only affects the integrity of your roof, but it alsoimpairs attic ventilation. If your soffits are clogged, you could get moistureand mold buildup as well as have a stuffy attic that is not properlycirculating airflow to your entire home.
Though you may be able to identify the red flags of your roof leaking, you should never attempt to repair leaks or damage on your own. If you don’t have the right tools or training, you could make the problem worse. If you believe you have a roof leak or that your roof is damaged, call the experts at A&A Roofing & Exteriors, roofing experts in Omaha and surrounding areas. We’ll come out and take a look and let you know if repairs or a replacement are needed.
