Signs of Roof Damage

Your roof provides constant protection from rain, wind, pests, and more. Thus, damage to your roof can in turn cause extensive damage to your home or business if it is not identified and repaired quickly. Learning how to spot the signs—which are sometimes subtle—of roof damage can help you protect your property and its occupants. Even if your roof appears to be fine, regular inspections performed by a roofing professional can help to spot smaller signs of wear and damage that could be affecting your roof and its performance.

Visible Roof Changes

One of the easiest ways to spot roof damage is to inspect your roof and its materials. Areas of buckling or sagging indicate places where the roof is not properly ventilated or its supporting structure has failed. After a storm, you may find puddles on your roof if the slope is no longer sufficient to properly drain the water. Other signs of roof damage include cracked, missing, rotting, or discolored shingles. Hailstorms are a common cause of roof damage, often leaving behind circular dark spots (sometimes called “bruises”) that dislodge granules and can cause the shingles to crack. A bruised shingle may also feel soft to the touch, like a bruised piece of fruit. Flashing or metal components of your roof may show visible indentations or other damage from hailstones. In some cases, signs of roof damage may not be visible from the ground and require a close-up inspection from the rooftop to uncover. If you don’t feel comfortable accessing your roof on your own, a roofing professional has the equipment and know-how to safely access your roof and look for signs of damage.

Leaks or Evidence of Water

When your roof is damaged, cracks and holes can allow water to seep into your home. Signs of water damage that may be associated with your roof include dark streaks on ceilings, walls, and siding. If you can access your attic, you should also inspect this area as well. Look for streaks under your eaves, visible holes in the ceiling, and areas of standing water or moisture. Mold growth is another sign of water damage, as mold can spring up and spread quickly in areas that are consistently damp. Buckling or sagging ceilings inside your home are another indicator that water has been allowed to enter your home through the roof.

Dislodged Shingles

In some cases, you can spot roof damage by looking down rather than up. Check your yard for shingles or pieces of shingles that have been dislodged from your roof by wind, rain, or snow runoff. You should also inspect your gutters regularly for shingle pieces or particles, which can build up inside the troughs. While some small amount of shingle debris is to be expected, extreme buildup of shingle granules or larger pieces inside your gutters is a sign that your roof is deteriorating more rapidly than normal and should be repaired or replaced.

As your home’s first line of defense against the elements, your roof plays a vital role in the value and safety of your property. If you spot signs of roof damage or suspect your roof might need repairs, don’t hesitate—contact a roofing repair specialist for a professional inspection. You can find out more about roofing maintenance repair in Arlington, Alexandria, and McLean on our website.