Water damage can be destructive to any part of your home, but especially to your roof. Unfortunately, spotting water damage can often be tricky. Leaks and small holes in your roof can mimic other issues, such as HVAC troubles or pipe leaks. In order to protect your home from costly damage, you’ll want to know the true hidden signs of water roof damage before it becomes a major repair.
8 Hidden Signs of Water Roof Damage You Shouldn’t Ignore
We’re all familiar with the telltale signs of water dripping from your ceiling as a signal that something is wrong. However, other signs of roof water damage can be more subtle and difficult to spot unless you know what to look for. Here are eight hidden signs that your roof might have water damage.
1. Moss, Mold, & Algae Growth
Moss and algae growth on your roof and mold growth in your home can be a sign that there’s a leak somewhere in your roof. This often goes unnoticed because moss, mold, and algae can also be caused by other things, such as poor insulation, ventilation, or even just the weather.
Unfortunately, moss and algae can put a strain on your roof and cause even more damage, and mold can negatively affect your health. So if you see growth on your roof or in your home, have a roofing professional inspect your roof as soon as possible.
2. Stained Ceiling
If the water has seeped through your roof but hasn’t broken through your ceiling yet, you may not get the traditional water dripping. But you may begin to notice yellow, gray, or brown stains appearing on your ceiling. If you’re seeing new stains appearing on your ceiling or others getting worse, you may have a leak on your hands.
3. Clogged or Damaged Gutters
Your gutters impact the entirety of your roof, so if they’re damaged, you could have further water damage on your roof. You should look out for clogged gutters or visible damage to the metal. Sometimes, you can fix the water damage yourself by just clearing out your gutters of any debris, but repairs such as rust, dents, or leaks are best left to the professionals.
4. Higher Energy Bills
Roof water damage could lead to a rise in your energy costs. Whether because of the increased humidity or the loss of airflow from a leak, your HVAC has to work harder to keep the home comfortable. However, higher energy bills can be caused by a host of different issues, so you should conduct an energy assessment to discover the root cause.
5. Humid House
As moisture gets into your home from roof water damage, you could notice your home feels more humid than usual. This could be exacerbated by an HVAC working overtime to keep your home cool with a roof leak. If you suspect your home is more humid than normal, you can purchase a humidity sensor—ideally, your home should be at 30–50% humidity.
6. Damaged or Missing Shingles
Shingles are vital in helping water properly drain off your roof. So if you notice patches of missing or damaged shingles, you could have water pooling beneath the surface of your roof. Luckily, if you catch this early, shingles are easy to repair. So don’t wait until you see other signs of damage—schedule a roof inspection and repair as soon as you spot missing shingles.
7. Rusted or Damaged Flashing
Flashing protects the most vulnerable parts of your roof, such as around skylights or where two parts of your roof converge. So if there’s damage to them or even visible rust, it could mean there’s water damage around them. Sometimes, damaged flashing can be hard to spot, so regular roof inspections—especially after hurricanes—can help you prevent major water damage.
8. Sagging Roof
Perhaps the most serious sign of water damage is a sagging roof. Sagging roof symptoms may start small, such as algae growth or a couple of missing shingles. But it can eventually lead to your roof beginning to cave and, in some cases, collapsing entirely. If you notice your roof beginning to sag, call a professional roofer immediately—this is considered a roofing emergency.
How to Prevent Water Damage
While water damage can occur without warning, there are some things you can do to prevent water damage to your roof. To help prevent water damage and catch it early if it does occur, do the following:
- Clean your gutters regularly
- Inspect your roof from the ground for damage
- Maintain the trees around your roof
- Buy a roof tarp before a hurricane hits
- Have regular maintenance and inspections performed by professionals
Take Action & Call Domestic Design Roofing if You See the Signs
Don’t wait for water damage to get worse—if you see any of the signs we discussed today, give us a call. We’ll be more than happy to inspect your roof, find the root cause, and repair your roof so you’re fully protected. By bringing us in early, you can avoid costly repairs and save your roof from serious damage. So let’s get started and get a free quote from us!