Roof damage can be serious if not caught in time. It can cause leaks, mold, fluctuating temperatures, and a whole slew of other problems that can affect not only the roof but the entire home. Spotting the signs early can save you a lot of time and money, but how can you be sure that your roof is damaged when you don’t know what signs to look for in the first place? Some can be glaring and easy to spot, while others are quite subtle and harder to detect. To better help you find the problems that are destroying your roof, here is a list of the top ten signs that your roof is damaged.
Leaks
Leaks are created when there are cracks or gaps in the roof. They allow water to drip through the roof and cause a leaky ceiling or skylight. A clogged gutter or ice dam formation in the winter time can also cause leaks. Most homeowners notice a leak way after the leak truly starts. Dripping water from your ceiling is the final indicator of cracks and gaps that may have been forming for months.
Another sign that you missed preventing the leak early is if you notice water streaks on your walls or wet blotches on the walls and ceilings. Roof damage from leaks is important to address immediately or it will cause significant structural damage to your home, and more unexpected dangers of a leaky roof.
Gaps in the Roof
Gaps are another serious sign that your roof has sustained considerable damage and should be be addressed for repair immediately. Gaps can form small or large, beginning as tiny cracks and eventually developing into giant holes. Gaps in the roof can cause damage to the home enough to appear on the ceiling. They can allow rain, snow, and cold drafts to penetrate inside. Even worse, pests can invade through the gaps and wreak more havoc on your roof or your home’s interior. Every month, inspect your ceiling and attic looking for signs of roofing gaps so you can address the damage swiftly and prevent catastrophic roofing damage.
Missing Shingles
After particularly severe weather, you may notice that some shingles from the roof are missing. This leaves your roof in a vulnerable position to be potentially exposed to even more damage without the protective layering that shingles provide. Missing shingles will also make your roof appear patchy and worn out, a not-so-attractive addition to your roof if you’re trying to sell your house.
While it may seem tempting to just apply new shingles to the patch yourself, this isn’t recommended because you may likely patch your roof up improperly and more shingles will come off, or you may cover an even worse problem underneath. Even if you aren’t missing shingles, you may want to consider replacing your existing shingles to prevent future issues.
Curling or Buckling Shingles
Sometimes shingles start to buckle or curl at the edges or corners because of fluctuating temperatures. Curling shingles occur due to inadequate ventilation of your roof and buckling shingles develop because of humid summer temperatures that cause ripples to develop in the shingle as the moisture warps the wood. Both curling and buckling shingles are less sturdy and more prone to being ripped off during inclement weather, and without shingles your roof is left unprotected and exposed to the harsh elements. Don’t waste any time if you see signs of curling or buckling in the shingles. Call Beyond Exteriors immediately when this happens and we’ll fix your roof in no time at all.
Cracks
It is highly common for shingles develop cracks and fissures, and will cause roof damage that could be costly. They usually arise from inclement weather such as heavy rains, high winds, and cold temperatures. Cracks can widen and grow after a heavy rainstorm or gusty winds when cold temperatures develop in the winter months. As the cold expands the cracks, they can be even further enlarged by water and ice that sinks into the cracks.
The cracks will continue to enlarge as more water freezes and ice accumulates. Cracks can even break off bits and pieces of shingles leaving bare patches that can damage the roof underneath. If you are able to climb up to your roof and find any cracks that need to be fixed, call Beyond Exteriors for help. We will take care of the cracks before they widen and cause further damage to your roof.
Missing Granules
Sometimes you may find granules from your roof shingles in your gutters and downspouts. They are responsible for protecting the roof from all kinds of weather conditions and from the sun’s harmful rays. However, as shingles age, the granules start to flake off and fall into the gutters and downspout when when rain erodes them away from the shingles. Although your shingle may not be entirely ripped apart, missing granules on your shingles is still a cause for concern. They can leave your shingles with bare spots and make them less effective at protecting your roof. Beyond Exteriors is here to provide you quality service if you feel that your shingles are getting old and need to be replaced.
Weary Gutters
Gutters will often collect debris over time that will clutter and clog them, such as dirt, dead leaves, or sticks, and can contribute to irreversible roof damage. These accumulated messes can even cause the gutters to rust and decay, which can then lead to sagging. If nothing is done and the gutters are not cleaned, they can potentially of break right off your house.
To prevent your gutters from sagging, clean them out as much as you can after a storm. However, if they are already in bad shape and are beginning to sag, then it’s time to get new gutter installation and call Beyond Exteriors for the job.
Soffits, Fascia, and Chimney Problems
The soffits, which are the undersides of a hanging part of the roof, the fascia, which are around the perimeter of the roof as a slope, and the chimney flashings, should not be ignored when it comes to inspecting your roof. They are very important in keeping water out and protecting vital parts of the roof like the area around the chimney. If these components show any signs of cracking, breaking off, curling, or buckling, then be sure to call Beyond Exteriors to have them inspected and fixed. We have years of expertise in handling these tricky areas and repairing them with quality parts, and potentially solving future roof damage.
Mold
Mold appears in its optimal breeding grounds like damp and heated areas, and can cause significant roof damage if not treated in time. Unfortunately, your roof provides a perfect environment for mold because of its absorption of rain water and sunlight. Mold can cause entire areas of your home to be affected. Not only will your roof aesthetics and interior home structures suffer, like mold streaks on your roof and walls, but so will your family’s health.
Mold can cause many breathing problems if its spores are inhaled. Luckily you can attack the mold on your roof yourself with a mixture of bleach and water. However, when mold is appearing inside your home it means that you didn’t address it quickly enough when it started to form on your roof. When this happens, get Beyond Exteriors to investigate the cause of the mold and we’ll be able to get rid of it in no time at all.
Improper Ventilation
If you start to notice an issue in your home where the temperatures are either too hot or cold, you could be experiencing a problem that stems from your roof. You may find that the inside of your home is getting too hot in the summertime and too drafty and cold in the winter. If you think it’s due to your heater or air conditioning, you might not be on track to solving the problem. A likely cause could be poor ventilation. Your roof is an extremely important component in your home’s ventilation system, beyond just heating and cooling. A rotted roofing structure can create improper ventilation and varying temperatures. The more poor ventilation builds up, your roof will be in increasing worse shape. The shingles could eventually start to curl and buckle, and your roof will leave your home unprotected. If you notice that the top floors and the attic are particularly humid and stuffy, it may be time to call Beyond Exteriors for help.
If you find any of these signs of roof damage on your roof, then it’s time to call Beyond Exteriors. Here are a list of reasons why you shouldn’t avoid roof repair. Visit us at 14524 Lee Road, Unit E, Chantilly, VA 20151 or call us at 703-940-9771.
