A roof protects you, your family, your home, and your valuables from all weather conditions. In the Austin, Texas area the extreme temperature changes that occur during the summer months can cause conditions that can severely damage your roof and make your life miserable.
The problems associated with a damaged roof should never be overlooked. So it’s a good idea to become familiar with some of the signs of a damaged roof so you’ll know when it’s time to call a quality roofing contractor, like J-Conn Roofing, to repair or replace it.
Below are 7 signs of a leaky or damaged roof:
1. Mold or Mildew
The warm and humid climate in the Austin, Texas area is mainly responsible for the growth of mold on your roof or inside your home due to a leaky roof. While most mold does not cause any immediate harm, if left undetected it can multiply quickly and lead to serious structural damage, dramatically lowering the value of your home or building. Mold or mildew often develops in damp, dark areas and can grow on or in attics, ductwork and ceiling tiles as well as within your walls.
2. Buckled or Curled Shingles
Buckled or curled shingles occur when hot air from the attic forces the shingles to buckle or curl away from the home. These damaged shingles cannot adequately protect a home from the brutal Texas weather and they may also be a sign of inadequate roof ventilation. Inadequate roof ventilation can cause a roof to wear out years prematurely, drive up cooling bills, and cause moisture build up.
3. Roof Rot
Roof rot is a true sign that a roof (or portions of a roof) have deteriorated to a point where immediate attention is required. A rotted roof truly cannot protect your home from the elements. If water damage hasn’t been discovered in your home yet, it soon will be. Rot should be addressed immediately by a professional. The brownish red appearance on the top of shingles is a clear indication of a degraded roof.
4. Loss of Granules
Granules in shingles become loose mainly from age or exposure to severe weather conditions such as a very rainy spring & summer followed by a hurricane such as the one we had in 2012. When shingles begin to lose their granules, the roof begins to deteriorate faster and becomes weaker and less capable of protecting a home from future storms. Leaks often result. As a consequence, your roof should be inspected to see if you have any leaks and if your roof needs to be repaired, re-roofed or replaced.
5. Damaged or Inadequate Flashing
Damaged or inadequate flashing can be a significant problem for your roof. When flashing isn’t properly sealed against a roof, it creates a high-speed highway for water to seep into your home. Even if your roof is new, improperly installed flashing will cause leaks sooner rather than later. If your roof is old, then drying and cracking can cause leaks. If these issues are caught early on, damaged flashing can be repaired without replacing the roof.
6. Damaged Skylights
If your home has skylights, there are several reasons why they could start leaking. The most common causes of skylight leaks are faulty installation, damaged weather seals or the skylight may not be completely closed. Since Austin is an area known for harsh weather, such as hurricanes and heavy windstorms, you may experience a leaky skylight if debris hits the skylight and causes damage. Having your skylight inspected by a professional is highly recommended. If there are no obvious signs of skylight damage, consider the possibility that the problem is actually located at another part of the roof. If a leak originates from another part of the roof, it may make its way to the skylight and find an opening into your home. The easiest way to find the true cause of the leak is to have your roof inspected by professional roofing contractor.
7. Damp Ceiling
Unfortunately, this is the most common, and the worst, sign of having a roof leak. Dampness can be seen in the corner and middle sections of the ceiling, brown staining and sometimes bubbling of drywall tape and/or wallpaper. The main reason behind this problem is unrepaired damage to your roof. The only way to track down where your damp ceiling originated is to have a professional come in and trace it back to the source. It’s not uncommon for a leaky ceiling on one side of your home to trace back to a leak or damage on the other side. Once the water is inside your home, water will follow the avenues provided by walls, conduits, vents, cables and more.
Once you’ve done a bit of visual inspection and think you need a second opinion, ask a professional roofing repair contractor, like J-Conn Roofing. They can do a thorough inspection of your roof to determine if it needs to be repaired or replaced.
