Roof leaks aren’t always obvious. Some are, water dipping from inside the home, stains on the walls or ceilings, trees that fall on roofs are obvious signs that you need to call a roof contractor, but many can remain hidden for months, even years. Causing damage, mold and mildew. Leaks are bad, very bad.
Leaks allow moisture into your home and moisture is the enemy. Left alone, not only can moisture damage your roof, it can damage the rest of your home such as your frame and foundation. Moisture can even cause health problems by helping mold and mildew grow and thrive.
Even if you don’t think you have any leaks, it’s a good idea to spot check around your home in between formal inspections. Caught early enough, a roof leak can be a simple, inexpensive repair and the only way to catch a leak early is to find it.
Looking for roof leaks or signs of excessive moisture can even be done without going up onto your roof! If you have access to your attic and/or can walk around the inside of your home freely, there are many roof leak signs you can look in between yearly inspections that could save you hundreds or even thousands in repairs and health problems.
Sagging Decking
Getting into the attic can tell you a lot about a roof, even without obvious leaks. A sagging deck (the bottom part of your roof that can be seen in the attic), for example, means trouble, even with no other signs of leakage, a sagging deck is a sign of an impending roof disaster and should be looked at by a roof professional as soon as possible.
Dark Spots
After checking the decking, there are other signs you can look for in the attic that may indicate a leak. Darks spots in the wood around vents, chimneys and other areas indicate water has gotten past the roof.
Test any dark spots you find in the attic. If the spot is wet, the problem is happening now and needs to be repaired immediately. If dry and hard, it may just be the sign of an old issue that has since been repaired, if you are unsure, schedule a roof inspection.
Holes
If you have a shake roof, seeing light come through into the attic may not be an issue (shake swells during wet months and is normal) but for most every other type of roof, light getting through means holes and holes cause problems. If you see any like peeking through, a professional roof inspection is a must.
Ceilings/Walls
After inspecting the attic, you can take a brief walk around the inside of your home looking for darkened or wet areas on your ceilings and walls. Wet areas are obviously leaks but dry areas may or may not be. Unless you are sure the sign you see has been repaired already, any discoloration in your walls and ceiling you finds should be looked into by a professional roof contractor. Especially if you notice any mold or mildew, you should make the call sooner rather than later.
In Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Roofing Specialists offers free estimates to most homeowners, if you notice any signs of a leak call us today at 770-419-2222!