5 min read
Depending on the type of roof covering of your home, it’s best to have routine roof maintenance done at least once a year. However, while maintenance can prevent regular wear and tear from turning into severe damage, it won’t stop unexpected factors like severe weather, debris, and other incidents from causing costly damage in between maintenance. As a result, you may experience roof leak damage any time of the year.
How can you tell if your roof is leaking? If your next scheduled maintenance is still far into the future, there are a number of ways you can spot if your roof is leaking.
Here are some of the best ways to spot roof leak damage around your home and how to go about contacting experts for water damage restoration.
Ceiling and Wall Stains
A roof that’s in optimal condition can protect your home’s ceiling and walls from rainwater leaks. This protection comes from the ridges, shingles, vents, and insulation properly working to seal the top part of your property. However, when roof leak damage occurs, it’s possible for rainwater to enter your property and create water stains on your ceilings or inside your walls.
Not only does it create an aesthetically unpleasant appearance indoors, but these are a sign of potentially risky water damage. Left unchecked, water damage on your ceiling and walls can lead to mold, insulation damage, and rotting wood inside your home’s structure.
Damaged Gutters
Leaving your gutters clogged or unmaintained can lead to issues that make it difficult to redirect water from your roof, which can lead to both issues on your gutter and roof. Depending on your roof material, your roof may not be able to take on the weight of the rainwater and the combined weight of the gutter, its water, and debris.
Clogged gutters can also make it difficult to drain water with all the debris in it, which can lead to rust as well as damage from the expansion and contraction. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need a professional to repair both the roof and the gutter.
Broken or Missing Shingles
Shingles act as a waterproof barrier for your roof while protecting the integrity of your roof’s structure. Damaged shingles may not be able to totally repel water, snow, and ice, which can lead to water eventually leaking down into the roof and into the attic. And areas in your roof with missing shingles can start to wear down faster and create cracks that result in leaks on the roof.
Damp and Humid Attic
Your attic should have insulation material as well as soffits for ventilation. If you find that your attic is becoming humid, some areas feel damp, or the temperature of the attic is inconsistent, this may be a sign of a leak. However, it’s advisable to have a professional check your soffits for any clogging, as this can lead to moisture build-up, which can result in mold growth along the roof and its surrounding areas.
Ice Dams
As the winter season approaches, there’s a chance of snow building up on your roof and potentially causing damage. If your attic insulation is damaged or not working properly, it’s possible for some areas of the roof to be warmer and melt, while others can be cold enough to freeze. This can cause continuous thawing and refreezing in certain areas of your roof, creating ice dams that block water from falling from the roof. Instead, it presses the weight of the water and ice onto a specific area, which can cause damage.
If you see signs of leaking roofs in your attic or around your home, as well as an uneven level of snow in an area of your roof, you might be dealing with an ice dam. While finding the leaking spot can be tricky, the ice dam should give you a general idea of where the leak is.
Treat the Signs of Roof Leak Damage with the Experts of Restoration 1 of Suffolk County
There’s no telling when the next hurricane, snowstorm, or falling debris can cause serious damage to your roof. It can take a while before your next roof maintenance service, so spotting the signs of a leaking roof can help you act fast or call in a professional. By dealing with your roof problem as soon as possible, you can prevent minor issues from escalating to costlier damage that spreads beyond your roof and attic.
With a team like Restoration 1 of Suffolk County at your side, we can help you assess the damage to your roof and its effects on the rest of your property. Our certified technicians can visit your property, find the issue with your roof, and ensure your home is safe and structurally sound.
Is your property at risk of roof damage? Our team specializes in water damage restoration and is more than ready to help you restore your property to its best condition. Call Restoration 1 of Suffolk County.
