How to Know If Your Home Might Have A Roof Leak

The article How to Know If Your Home Might Have A Roof Leak originally appeared on Armor Roofing Kansas City.

Water damage can be a total nightmare for your house.  Water brings mold and mildew to the walls and furnishings which can be very expensive and difficult to fix.  Broken pipes and roof leaks are two of the most common sources of water damage.  If you live in an area with a lot of thunderstorms, leaking roof materials can be particularly problematic.  Let's examine a few signs that you might have a problem.

Evidence Of Hail Damage After a Major Storm

After a major storm, it is quite important to be cognizant of roof damage.  For example, if you see a bunch of dents on your car or air conditioner, then you know that severe hail has affected your area and that similar damage might have occurred to your roof.  You should then seriously consider having the roof examined for any of the other signs mentioned below.  Also, if a neighbor mentions that he or she has experience roof damage from the storm, then there is a good chance that you might have as well.

Shingle Defects

If you examine the roof and see shingles buckling, like the ends have been pushed together, then a crease has been created for water to leak under the shingles.  This could be due to felt that was misapplied by the roofer or subtle movements in the floor of the roof.  Either way, you likely will need to have the problem remedied.  Also look for curling shingles which can cause similar problems.  This is often a consequence of hot air in the attic or too much water absorption.  And obviously if shingles are missing or completely rotting, that is a severe problem that needs to be taken care of immediately.

Texture Loss

Your asphalt shingles have granules on the upward side that give them a unique, abrasive texture.  While some of these will be lost on installation, generally more and more will be lost over time.  In fact, you might be able to estimate the age of the roof by looking at the granule content in context of the area's climate.  If you see severe granule loss, then that is a good sign that it might be time to seek a new roof.

Microbes On The Roof

Sometimes before you see mold damage in your house, you will see mold damage on your roof itself.  If you see algae or mold growing on your roof, then it could be a sign of potential damage.  In some warm and humid climates this happens often and may or may not be a problem.  But it is something that you want to bring to the attention of an expert if you notice it.

Flashing Damage

There are certain portions of the roof like valleys or around exterior pipes that are extra sensitive to water leaks.  These are usually covered with some type of flashing.  This could consist of plastic, rubber, felt, or a rust resistant metal.  You should always examine the flashing when checking out your roof. If the flashing is damaged by improper installation or drying and cracking, then you need to repair the problem to prevent leaks.  Sometimes you can just patch the flashing itself, without needing to replace the roof.

Check The Attic

Go up in the attic and check the ceiling above.  If you see water stains then that is a sure sign of a water leak.  The leak might not be at the spot of the stain since water can travel down the rooftop before making it through to the interior of the wood.  You should also check for signs of leaking around air vents and chimneys.

Get Professional Help

If you suspect water damage, there really is no need to climb onto your roof to look for many of the things identified above.  Climbing onto a roof can be dangerous if you are not an experienced roof contractor.  For that reason you should call a professional like Armor Roofing.  Since we offer free inspections with no obligation to do business with us, there really is no need to take the time and risk yourself.  Give us a call at 816-331-7663!

The post How to Know If Your Home Might Have A Roof Leak appeared first on Armor Roofing Kansas City.