Anyone who owns a home has likely encountered problems with their roof over the years. This is common, as your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. It undergoes a great deal of abuse from rain, wind, sleet, hail, and snow, so, understandably, there will be occasional leaks and damages. As a preventive measure, it is a good idea to do a visual inspection of your roof several times a year. If you see anything that could potentially be a problem, or if you are already experiencing leaks in your home, you should call a roofing contractor to perform a professional inspection and determine the best way to address the issue. If your home is older, it may be time to replace your roof. As you conduct your roof inspection, consider these common signs of damage that homeowners see.

Discolored areas

If you see black streaks on your roof, it may indicate the presence of algae. Shaded areas of the roof where moisture gathers are an ideal place for both algae and moss to grow. When you have an issue such as this, it is essential to address the matter by cleaning the roof before the shingles are affected. Many homeowners clean the roof themselves with commercial roof cleaning agents, but others choose to hire a professional to get the job done.

Missing shingles

As shingles become weak over time, it is easier for wind and storms to dislodge them. You may find pieces of shingles in your yard, or you may see that some of them have become dislodged when you inspect your roof. If you see this issue on your roof, it is imperative to call a roofing contractor at once to repair the roof. As shingles go missing, your roof is not protected from the elements, and you may experience damage to your home’s interior.

Holes and punctures

There are many ways that your roof can incur small holes that allow moisture to seep in. Squirrels, birds, and other wildlife can cause holes in your roof, or the damage may come from fallen tree branches or walking on the roof. As moisture enters through these small holes, it begins to affect the wood underneath the shingles. When the wood rots, it creates a bigger, more costly issue to your home’s interior, so it is vital to get any issues with holes in the roof addressed immediately.

Buckling, cracking, and blistering

If you notice that your shingles are becoming buckled, it is likely due to poor attic ventilation or from new shingles being installed over old ones. You may also see blisters, cracks, or ridges in your roof. These issues could be due to aging or the same factors as buckling. Your best course of action, if you see any of these problems, is to call a contractor to inspect the roof. If the damage is extensive, you may need a complete roof replacement.

Gutter maintenance

Your gutter system is one of the most important parts of your home’s structure. It is essential to clean the gutters at least once a year to keep them free of debris and working efficiently. When your gutters become clogged, rainwater may back up and harm your roof, soffit and fascia, walls, and even landscaping. Although cleaning gutters is generally not a daunting task, you can also avoid clogging by having gutter guards installed to keep debris from entering and building up in gutters and downspouts. When you inspect your roof, be sure to check the gutters as well to make sure they are correctly attached and don’t have any loose fittings.

Damaged ceilings

One of the most telling signs that you have roof damage is discoloration on your ceilings due to leaks. If the leaks have progressed extensively, you may see plaster falling off the ceiling, or the entire ceiling may be sagging. You should always address this issue as soon as you see the first signs, as internal damage due to leaks can be very costly to fix if it is ignored for too long.

Pooling water

This is an issue that you are more likely to see if you have a flat roof, as water will begin to gather on the roof when it has no way to escape. The pooled water creates problems as it eventually seeps through the roofing materials and begins to affect the wood underneath, and ultimately, your interior. Creating tapered areas that allow the water to run off the roof is the solution that most contractors offer to address this problem.

Keeping up with roof maintenance is necessary to protect your home and keep your family safe and comfortable all year long. If you notice any of these potential problems when you inspect your roof, you should reach out to a reputable team like the contractors at Mr. Roof. Give us a call at (800) 884-9760 as soon as you see any signs of roof damage.