Home Improvement, Roofing Tips. Knowing the signs of roof damage is essential for maintaining your home.
Your roof is probably not an area of your home you spend too much time thinking about, that is until you begin experiencing problems with your roof though. However, by the time your roof starts exhibiting obvious problems it usually means the problem has been going on for some time.
While it’s not realistic for you to regularly climb up to your roof to check it out, it is best to pay attention to any changes in your roof so that you can monitor its condition and catch problems sooner rather than later. Understanding some common signs of roof damage is the first step in proactively caring for your roof. Staying ahead of problems as they develop will be especially helpful for you because it empowers you to catch problems early on and avoid racking up more costly damages or worse, the structural integrity of your roof deteriorating beyond repair.
Being in the South and near the coast we can get hit with some extreme weather from time to time so it’s critical to keep your roof in good shape to keep your home and family safe. Doing so will help keep the rest of your house protected and reduce the chances of you getting caught off guard with a major problem.
Before you let potential damage to your roof go unchecked for too long, we encourage you to take advantage of our free roof evaluations. Our skilled team can evaluate your roof and take stock of any current or potential damage before it becomes a bigger problem. Keep reading for some of the common indicators and signs that your roof may have some damage.
Ceiling Damage
If you ever notice a wet spot on your home’s interior ceiling then this is almost always an indicator of some kind of water damage. Unless your home is having trouble with leaky pipes, then this probably means that your roof has some damage that is allowing rain and moisture to leak through. Even a small water spot on your ceiling is a sign that intervention is especially critical because it indicates that your roof is not only damaged, but that damage is now spreading into your home’s interior.
A leaky roof is only going to get worse, and sometimes all it takes is one heavy rain for a small leak to turn into a major problem. Our weather is often unpredictable and you don’t want to risk the next downpour making its way into your home.
Dry Rot
Dry rot is a common problem that roofs can experience and is caused by a fast-spreading and invasive fungi that affects wood. Oftentimes, a professional roof inspection is required to spot dry rot since it often begins in the nooks and crannies of your roof that are hard for homeowners to spot. However, there are cases where dry rot has spread on a roof to areas that can be spotted by the homeowner from the ground if they know what to look for. If you happen to spot patches of wood with a white or light brown appearance, this may be a sign that the fungus has begun to spread.
The growth of dry rot is usually spurred by moisture, so if your roof doesn’t have good protection from moisture then this may be a sign that a deeper look should be conducted. Living in a climate like ours with a lot of rain and humidity can also contribute to dry rot. If you suspect that your roof has dry rot then it’s best to get it inspected quickly rather than risk it spreading beyond repair.
Recent Tree Damage
Of course trees are one of the major causes of roof damage and this can be especially true in areas that regularly experience Tropical Storms and Hurricanes like the Carolinas. Although, as many homeowners probably know, it doesn’t always take a big storm to damage trees around your home. Sometimes, just a moderate wind or a typical thunderstorm can be enough to knock loose branches or down dead or dying trees.
If you have a lot of trees in your yard, or even just one located close to your house, then you want to be aware of any limbs that fall and have your roof regularly inspected. Regular tree maintenance is also crucial in these situations because it will help prevent damage by removing dead or weak limbs before they fall unexpectedly. If you’ve had a limb fall onto your roof then it’s best to have your roof inspected just in case.
Solar Install
Installing solar panels on your home can be a great way to take control of your energy consumption and expenses, but it’s not always a straightforward process. With the benefits of solar power many homeowners are surprised by the unexpected damage the installation can cause to their home’s roof.
Oftentimes, the people responsible for installing your solar panels will be experts in that field, but not necessarily on the integrity of your roof. Sometimes these installations can cause accidental damage to your roof that the installers may not even be able to catch. Anytime something is nailed into your roof there’s always a risk that the holes will not be properly or completely sealed. If this happens, then your roof could experience leaks as a result. It’s always best to have your roof inspected after any kind of install like this happens. The right roof expert will be able to spot any damage that was caused so that you can take the proper steps to make sure your roof is properly sealed and protected.
Dealing with roof damage is something no homeowner wants to go through, but it’s always better to catch potential problems sooner rather than later. Taking advantage of our free roof evaluations is a great way to keep up with your roof’s condition so that you can properly maintain it. Ultimately, regular maintenance and proper care is the best way to prevent costly roof damages and unexpected problems with your home’s roof.
