What To Look For Inside Your Home To Identify A Roof Problem
Roof problems can be difficult to diagnose, especially because they often involve going up on your roof. Not only do you not know what you are looking for once you are up there, but it can be quite dangerous to go up there. However, there may be some signs that you can identify on the inside of your home that indicate you have a roof problem.
Water Stains
One of the most obvious types of damage is going to be water stains. These will appear on the top floor of your home and can be in the ceiling or along your walls. You'll notice that the paint looks a bit darker than normal, which is due to water seeping in behind the drywall or plaster. This is a sign that water is clearly getting into your home because that water has to come from somewhere. Unless you have water pipes running through your attic, then it must be coming through your roof.
Peeling Wallpaper
If you have wallpaper on any of your walls, you may have noticed that the wallpaper is peeling in places. This could be due to increased moisture content behind the wall that is causing the wallpaper to lose its adhesive properties. If you peeled off the wallpaper from the area, you may notice water stains that were caused by water damage.
Odors
Sometimes you will be able to smell a problem before you are able to see it. A roof leak will cause water to come into your home, and if it is not showing up through the walls or ceiling, it could be soaking into the attic insulation. That water will eventually cause mold growth, which will cause an odd odor in your home. If it is not coming through the access panel to your attic, you may be able to identify the odor by sticking your head in the attic for a moment.
Light
While you are in your attic, it is worth taking a look at the ceiling to see if any light is shining through. If so, this is a clear indication that you have a hole in the roof. This means that the hole has not only gone through the shingles but also the roof felt and the roof deck, which indicates a major problem with your roof.
If you spot any of these problems, reach out to a residential roofing contractor for assistance with fixing your home's roof.