One of the nice things about residential roofs is they typically start to show subtle signs when problems first develop. If you learn to identify these problems when they first crop up, then you or a roofing contractor can easily fix them without it costing you too much money. However, if you don't take the time to learn to identify the subtle first signs of roofing problems, then you might wait too long to call for help or make a repair and end up with a much larger bill.
The early signs of residential roofing problems can be classified into indoor and outdoor issues. In order to assist you in identifying a roofing problem, here's a bit of information about both outdoor and indoor signs suggesting there is an issue.
Indoor Signs of Roofing Problems
Other than the obvious sign of water dripping in your home, the other indoor signs of a roofing problem include:
When water leaks from the roof to the inside of your home, it will get into the drywall and discolor it. If you have exposed drywall in your basement or garage and notice water stains on it, then this can be a sign the roof above is leaking.
In addition to drywall discoloration, cracked paint and peeling wallpaper are other signs water has gotten into the drywall. While this can be caused by a leaking window or door, cracked paint or peeling wallpaper that isn't around a door or window is likely caused by a leaking roof.
Outdoor Signs of Roofing Problems
Often, you will see the first signs of a roofing problem when standing outdoors and looking up at your home's roof.
If your home has an asphalt shingle roof, then you may find shingles in your yard after a heavy wind or you might see flashing pieces blowing around.
The most common problems seen outdoors are:
If your home has asphalt shingles, then as they age they often start shedding granules from their surface. If you see a lot of granules in your home's rain gutters or under their downspouts, then this is a sure sign of an aging roof that will need replacement sooner rather than later.
Finally, if you see any visible shingle damage or flashing that's either loose or damaged, these are also tell-tale signs of a roof that is in need of attention.
Share1 October 2019
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
