Four Subtle Signs Of Hidden Damage To Your Roof
Signs of damage to your roof can present themselves in a variety of ways, not all of them blatant. Catching the more subtle signs can help you deal with damage more quickly and save yourself plenty on repair costs. Here's what to keep an eye out for.
Mold Odors
Mold thrives in damp environments. If you smell mold in your home, it's likely there because of moisture being somewhere it shouldn't. If you don't have a plumbing leak, another possibility is mold growing due to water leaking through your roof.
The first place this may show up is your attic or garage, which is closest to your roof, so check there and see if you notice the smell getting stronger. However, water can also travel far before settling and pooling, so don't rule out roof issues because the smell doesn't seem to be near the roof.
You can also check in your attic or high in your garage with a flashlight to see if you can spot any signs of dampness or wood rot to try to trace the leak.
Ceiling and Wall Stains
Sometimes the signs of water in your home can be seen before they are smelled. Water getting into your house can drip onto your ceilings and walls from the other side, and if this happens for long enough, stains will appear.
These are harder to spot or identify unless you're specifically looking for them, as they may blend into the paint or be up higher than you normally look. If you suspect there are any leaking issues, take a thorough look around your home for any signs of staining.
Granules in Downspouts
If your home has an asphalt shingle roof, its shingles will gradually lose some of their granules over time as they age. If you suddenly notice many more granules in your gutters and around your downspouts, this could be a sign that your shingles are losing their effectiveness and their weatherproof seal.
This is often a better way to discover shingle damage than by inspecting the shingles themselves, as even with this loss of granules, they may still look the same. Keep an eye out for an influx in sandy and grainy material in your gutters and call a roofing repair professional if you notice them.
Moss on Roof
Moss on your roof can sometimes look pleasant, but leaving it there is bad for your roof. Moss holds in moisture, which can slowly work its way under your shingles, and its roots can also pull up shingles as they grow, allowing more water inside.
Any moss growth on your roof needs to be removed immediately, and a repair person can also install zinc strips if this is a repeat problem. Once the moss is taken care of, however, your roof will need to be inspected inside and out for water damage and potentially repaired.