Spotting a damaged roof sounds easy enough. Chipped shingles? Decaying gutters? Leaning chimneys? Seems pretty easy to spot, right? Maybe the obvious ones, but what about water-logging and termites? These invisible damages can be hard to find, especially when you don’t know what your looking for. Even worse, these types of damage only show visible signs when it’s already too late.

Nobody wants a leaky ceiling. So in this article, we are going to show you ways to spot a damaged roof early on!

Inspect Outdoors

One of the first things you need to do when you suspect your roof may be damaged is to inspect outside. Look for cracked shingles, worn out gutters, cracks, tears, patches, any of the kind. If you catch them early enough, that’s good. You just saved yourself a whole lot of money in the long run. Get those cracked and torn shingles replaced.

Don’t Forget Indoors

Leaks are highly destructive. Check your attic for any signs of damage as regularly as you can. Discoloration, cracks, and peeling paint are all signs of interior damage. These can help you narrow down where your roof might be compromised.

Check Your Amenities

Skylights, Chimneys, and ventilation can also cause major roof damage if gone unchecked. A leaning, loose, or torn chimney needs to be addressed immediately. If you have skylights, check if they’re loose or cracked. It’s nice to see the rain fall from inside the house, but not when your skylight gives it free passage into your house.

Ventilation and Temperature

Have you ever had fluctuating temperatures in your home when you could have sworn you just got your air conditioner/heater fixed? Well, the likely culprit might be your roof. Your roof is an important factor in maintaining the temperature of your home. Double check your air conditioner or heater first, but if you’re certain they’re working just fine, it’s time to hire a contractor.

Water-logging Signs

No matter how good a contractor’s roof installation services are, rain will find a way to waterlog your roof. Water-logging is when water gets inside your roof–not the house, but inside the roof, which can really do damage to its structure. There’s plenty of subtle giveaways you need to look for to spot a waterlogged roof, such as:

-molding

-discoloration

-ceiling damage

-roof cracking

-rotting wood

-bowing walls

Should you find any of these signs, it might be best to call a professional to check it out. Just to be sure.

Termite Infestation

Termites are one of the most destructive pests that can live in your home, and it’s definitely a detriment to your roof. The thing is, they like to stay out of sight, and can be quite difficult to spot until it’s too late. The symptoms of a termite-infested roof are:

-Loose shingles

-Ceiling bubbles

-Discoloration

-Exposed termite tunnels (looks like mud tubes running across your ceiling)

-“Eaten” wood

-Presence of wings

Termites will cost you a fortune if left to their own devices. So if you spot a combination of ANY of these symptoms, it’s time to call a roofing contractor for further instructions.

Scheduling Checkups

It’s been mentioned time and again throughout this article, and with good reason. It’s easy to miss the early signs of a damaged roof, and we don’t blame you. You know who doesn’t miss the early signs of a damaged roof? Competent roofers. Scheduling regular checkups with a roofing company may seem expensive, but trust us: it will save you A LOT of money in the long run. This way, you’re 100% certain a huge roof crisis will never occur. Not as long as you’re working with a trusted roofing contractor. They will take care of those damages at the bud before it can get a chance to become a problem.  

Whether it’s roof installation, roof repair, or spotting damage before they turn into a crisis, you’ll never have to worry about the well-being of your roof ever again. So if you ever suspect something’s wrong with your roof, remember to find a reputable roofing contractor.