Signs That Your Roof Needs Repair

You rely on your roof to keep you dry, warm, and safe, so if it gets damaged, it’s essential to repair it immediately. There are many possible causes for roof damage, including wild animals, leaking gutters, strong wind, and numerous others! Here is a list of things to look for if you think your roof is damaged.

Curling, Buckling, or Missing Shingles

Poor ventilation in your attic can cause moisture to become trapped under your roof, resulting in curling and buckling asphalt shingles. This makes them more vulnerable to being blown off in strong winds or knocked off by hail or falling branches.

Cracking, Loosening, or Damage Around Chimney or Other Vent Pipes

You may have bad flashing if you notice roof damage near your chimney or other vent pipes. Flashing is a metal meant to form a waterproof seal, preventing moisture from penetrating the roof. Unfortunately, roof installations can have misaligned flashing, which causes leaks.

Any Dark Streaks or Discoloration on Shingles

If you see black streaks on your roof, that’s hardy algae that feed on the limestone in your shingles. The discoloration you see is a dark, hardened outer coating the algae forms as it accumulates.

Wet-Looking Shingles That Don’t Dry

This is another type of discoloration brought about by limestone-eating algae. These algae will weaken your shingles if not addressed, further damaging your roof.

 Shingle Damage from Hail or Thunderstorms

Indiana is one the most hailstorm-prone states in the US. Over the last decade, hail has caused over five billion dollars of insured damage. Heavy snow, severe thunderstorms, and tornados can also result in damage to your roof.

 Shingle Granules in Your Gutters

Granules will often wash off your roof with rain or snow if you have asphalt shingles. Ordinarily, this isn’t a big issue, but if the granules build up, they can cause the gutters to leak and damage your roof.

 Leaks, Staining, or Bubbles in Your Ceiling

If water drops from your ceiling after a storm, that’s a leak. Meanwhile, stains forming on your ceiling are a more subtle sign that your roof is leaking and the water hasn’t made it through yet. Likewise, if you see what looks to be a bubble in your ceiling after a storm, that’s a sign of severe water buildup, and your roof is at risk of collapsing at that point.

Sudden Increase in Energy Bills

Your roof plays a vital function in keeping a comfortable temperature in your house. If there’s a leak in the ceiling, climate-controlled air can flow out of that leak and cause your central heating and air to turn on more often to compensate, raising your energy bills.