Signs of Roof Damage

Learn How to Discover Signs of Roof Damage

Roofs are the most important exterior structural part of a home– your roof keeps you and your family safe, protected, warm, and dry. A healthy roof also raises your property’s value. It’s no secret that when it comes to the maintenance of a house, one of a homeowner’s biggest fears is to find out the roof is in need of repairs. 

Because a full roof replacement or material repairs can be pricey, stressful, and time-consuming, it’s easy to ignore signs that your roof may need maintenance. However, ignoring signs of roof damage can become detrimental to your roof in the long run. With the help of a talented and knowledgeable New Jersey roofing contractor, having your roof inspected for damage could add years to its life. 

When Should I Get My Roof Inspected for Damage? 

Most homeowners do not have their roofs inspected until they put their homes up for sale. Waiting for a large, time-sensitive life event like selling your home as the only time you get your roof inspected could result in unexpected costs and losing potential homebuyers.

Your house’s roof should not be ignored until it’s put on the market. It is suggested that your roof undergo a roof inspection for damage once per year. If your roof has not been checked for years, if it is beyond the date of the manufacturer’s warranty, or if your roof was recently exposed to severe weather, call a roofing contractor for a free estimate to fix any impairments on your roof. 

Common Signs of Roof Damage

The best way to protect your home is to know what the warning signs are for roof damage. If you manage to identify that there is something wrong with your roof early, you can save yourself a lot of time, money, and trouble. If you see any of these common signs of roof damage, call our roofing experts for help with roof repairs. 

Water Stains and Leaks

One of the most common signs of roof damage is evident from the interior of your home. If you see water stains on your ceiling or walls, it’s a sign there may be an issue with your roof. A build-up of moisture, the presence of mold, the appearance of bubbling forming on walls or ceilings, and leaks should not go ignored. These signs indicate that you may have water entering the home via a hole or tear as a result of a roof leak. 

Damaged Shingles

To keep your house safe from water or air entering your home, the shingles on your roof need to be in good shape. Extreme weather conditions like strong winds, ice and snow, and excess rain can damage or destroy shingles. The good news is that you do not need to be a roofing expert to see if your roof shingles are damaged. 

Any signs of buckling, curling, or cracking mean you should quickly get an inspection of your roof done. Damaged shingles can, if left for a long period of time, result in needing a full roof replacement. Since individually damaged shingles or clusters of an area of the roof’s shingles can be replaced, getting maintenance done quickly could save your roof from continued damage. 

Gutter Problems

The purpose of your roof’s gutter system is to drain water away from the roof, and downward, to the ground. Because gutters are designed to catch and drain, you may find an accumulation of leaves, tree branches, foreign objects, dirt and debris, asphalt granules from broken shingles, or types of other roofing materials in your gutters. 

It’s suggested you clean your gutters periodically to avoid the excessive buildup that creates a blockage. When water cannot freely flow down the gutters because of objects in its way, your roof is vulnerable to leaks and other water damage. 

Poor Ventilation 

The most telling sign that your roof’s ventilation system is compromised is an unexpected increase in your monthly energy bill. When the air gets trapped in your attic due to poor ventilation, moisture can build, resulting in issues with the performance of your HVAC system. Other signs of poor ventilation are seeing signs of rust on your roof, the growth of mold on the roof or attic, and even paint or wallpaper starting to peel. 

Signs of Sagging

Roofs are designed to be straight and not to dip inward. If you notice your roof looks like it is sagging, curving, or sloping, your damaged roof may be putting you and your family in danger. A sagging roof is more than just an eye sore– it is a sign there is serious, long-term damage to your roof’s structural system. If the roof is sagging that means it is starting to collapse, and may even cave in entirely.

Roof sagging is often caused by: 

• Untreated water damage. 
• Excess weight from snow accumulation. 
• Design flaws that keep the roof from supporting its own weight. 
• Multiple layers of shingles. 
• Other roofing materials that are too heavy for the roof’s design to support. 

To avoid the risk of needing a total roof replacement, be sure to call a certified roofing professional as soon as you notice your roof sagging. 

Moss and Mold

If you’ve inspected your roof and seen signs of moss, mold, or fungi, that means your roof needs some treatment to rid it of the potentially dangerous buildup. Parts of your roof hidden from the sun have a tendency to collect moss spores, and when not cleaned regularly, they can accumulate and lead to wood rot, trapped moisture, damaged shingles, and leaks. 

Mold forming on your roof can eventually seep into your attic and walls. If mold makes its way into your air circulation HVAC system, you and your family can experience health risks like asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems. It’s always a good idea to learn ways you can periodically clean your roof so that these elements do not destroy the integrity of your roof or put your home at risk of becoming hazardous. 

Worried About Your Roof? Schedule a Free Roof Inspection Today

Have you seen signs of potential roof damage or suspect that your roof may be in need of repairs? Schedule a free consultation from Allied Roofing Solutions today to determine if your roof needs to be repaired or replaced. Our New Jersey roofing company serves Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Middlesex County, Morris County, Passaic County, and Somerset County. Please call us at 201-773-0633 or fill out our free estimate form to schedule your roof inspection with our knowledgeable and skilled roofing professionals.