Obviously, if there’s a huge tree on your roof, or water pouring in … or if you suddenly have a skylight where you didn’t have one before, it’s time to call a professional roofer to find out how to proceed with a roof replacement or repair. But do you know how to spot sneaky signs of roof damage that aren’t so obvious? Knowing what to look for can mean catching problems early, and that can save you money, headaches, and potential damage to your home.
1. Water Spots or Discoloration
If you have water dripping from your ceiling, a roofing contractor will probably be your obvious first call. It’s easier to ignore, overlook, or miss small spots of discoloration on your ceiling or even on the walls, though. It isn’t immediately obvious that these little spots or discolorations could have anything to do with your roof — they may not even be on your top floor or near the ceiling! But tiny roof leaks can let water in behind the walls, which can gather and collect and drip, leading, over time, to wet spots in unexpected places or even mold growth behind your walls.
2. Persistent, Unexplained Health Problems in Your Family
Everyone has sneezes and sniffles from time to time. But when you or your family have persistent or recurring respiratory issues with no obvious cause, you might want to have a roofer come and take a look at the state of your roof. If your roof is compromised, a little water could get into your attic or behind your walls. Over time, that water can be a breeding ground for bacteria or mold, and it could be making you and your family sick.
3. Higher Heating and Cooling Bills
Most people expect and understand seasonal variations in their heating and cooling bills. But when you find yourself wondering, “Who’s been leaving the lights on?” when you look at your power bill month after month, there’s a chance that your roof has been damaged in some way, allowing your energy budget to soar skyward as the warm or cool air from your home do the same.
4. Strange Sounds in the Attic
Clicks, bangs, strange whistling sounds when the wind picks up … who you gonna call? Not Ghostbusters — call your friendly neighborhood roofing contractor! These sounds can be the result of loose pieces of roofing materials or wind whistling through new cracks or openings in your roof.
5. New “Pets”
Most homeowners love their neighborhood wildlife, but we tend to prefer when they stay OUTdoors. If you suddenly discover mice in your kitchen, or you see a family of squirrels always running around on your roof, it’s possible they’ve found an opening and made themselves at home in your home (often in your attic). A roofer can tell you if you have a gap or an opening in your roof that’s allowing the wildlife in.
6. A Light in the Attic
Go up into your attic on a sunny day and look around. Is it brighter up there than you remember? Feel any drafts or see any dust motes dancing in sunbeams? If so, it’s possible that something is open that shouldn’t be or that something has shifted to allow more light in than there should be. Make a call, and get it checked out! Whether you need a roof repair or additional insulation, a small fix could yield important results.
7. Gutter Issues
If your gutters are or have been clogged, backed up, or overflowing — these things aren’t SIGNS of roofing problems so much as the CAUSE of roofing problems. When your gutters don’t drain properly, it can cause water to back up and damage your roof or your exterior walls, and the risk is compounded when things freeze up in the winter. So, if this is an issue you currently have, address it, and if you’ve already taken care of it, make sure it didn’t cause problems before you got it taken care of.
Your local roofing contractor is a pro, and they will be familiar with all of these signs. Here in Cincinnati, call us here at Harper Siding & Roofing. We have the skills and experience to take care of any roofing problem before it becomes bigger (and more expensive). If you think you might have a roofing issue, call and ask us to take a look. We can provide you with a detailed and thorough estimate that will answer all of your questions and help you take the next, confident step in repairing your roof.