If you’re a homeowner interested in maximizing the value of your property (and, of course, not waking up to water dripping on your face from leaks in the middle of the night), you may often wonder, “How do I know if I need a new roof?” This can be a complicated question, as its answer depends on a variety of factors, from the material your roof is made of to the climate of the area you live in.
However, when a roof falls into a serious state of disrepair, there are some common throughlines that can be observed no matter what, red flags that indicate you need an immediate roof repair or replacement (for less urgent signs you should consider a roof replacement, check out our article on the topic). In this post, we’ll detail the most pressing indicators that you need to repair or replace your roof as soon as possible, all to help you protect yourself, your family and your property.
5. Water Stain on Ceiling or Walls
Active roof leaks often present as darkened, saturated areas in ceilings and walls. Sometimes, water infiltration in drywall will cause the paint to “bubble” away from the surface it covers. Where leaks have occurred in previous weather events and then dried, they typically present as elongated or circular stains with a brown edge. These can appear like coffee stains in ceilings or walls. They will often find pathways along joints in drywall, causing the joint tape to separate away from the drywall sheet.
If you notice signs of roof leaks in your walls or ceiling during a storm, or after a period of intense rainfall, there could be cause for concern. It could be a simple maintenance item, requiring minimal repairs to solve the problem—however, if the damage is more extensive, you may need an entirely new roof. In either case, reach out to an experienced roofing contractor as soon as possible; that way, you can nip this problem in the bud before it gets any worse.
4. Leaks and Water Infiltration
At Baker Home Exteriors, we work with projects involving leaks every day, so trust us when we tell you that they can make your life miserable (for instance, we hope you aren’t attached to your hardwood floors, because leaks can destroy any wood they touch). So, if you notice rainwater accumulating on your floor, or if you hear consistent dripping sounds inside your home during storms, it’s crucial that you reach out to a reputable roofing contractor today to talk solutions.
3. Nail Pops and Loose Flashing
You should look out for these issues during your yearly roofing inspection (you inspect or have your roof inspected at least once a year, right?). Both revolve around components of your roof coming loose, leaving openings for water and unwanted critters to enter your home:
- Nail pops are situations in which the nails in your shingles loosen due to moisture infiltration and/or decking expansion or contraction. These raised nails can then puncture the shingles on your home’s roof that allow water to seep into your living space.
- Similarly, loose flashing leaves the most vulnerable areas of your roof wide open to water and debris infiltration, risking the integrity of your living area (if you’re wondering, “What is flashing?”, don’t fret—flashing is typically metal or some other impervious material, fabricated and fitted to vulnerable transitions, such as corners and penetrations, to protect weak areas in your roof. Other examples are valleys between low points and areas where your roof meets your chimney).
In both cases, a punctured roof leaves you vulnerable to leaks and water infiltration—which, if you’ve been paying attention, you already know is bad. As such, if you or your contractor find these issues during your inspection, you may be in the market for roof repairs.
2. Missing or Damaged Shingles
Now, we’re getting into the truly serious problems (because, as we doubt we need to tell you, missing entire sections of your roof is hardly a good thing). If your roof has missing shingles, your home is wide open for water infiltration, and your interior could sustain serious damage if you don’t act promptly.
Furthermore, when inspecting your roof, look for damaged shingles—keep an eye out for cracks, curling, and excessive shedding of granules (which will be easy to notice, as these granules will likely end up filling your gutters and downspouts). These can indicate your shingles have sustained significant damage. Of course, if only a few shingles are in disrepair, your home likely isn’t at risk of serious damage, and a few minor repairs will rectify the situation. However, if a significant number of shingles are damaged or missing, you should immediately contact your contractor to determine the extent of repairs needed (or if you need a new roof altogether).
1. Roof Sagging in Middle
Finally, another warning sign of roof issues can be a roof sag, especially if your roof sags excessively. A small amount of roof sagging may be a symptom of your home settling, especially if you live in an older house. However, if you notice a sharp sag in your roof, it could mean water infiltration has caused structural damage. Furthermore, sagging roof members can result from excessive moisture/heat accumulation in the attic space, so proper attic ventilation is also a factor to be considered. If left unchecked, these forces could result in a full-on roof collapse, especially if you live in an area with frequent storms. As such, if you observe significant roof sag, you should contact your contractor today to talk next steps.
With that in mind, you now have all the information you need to judge whether your roof is in need of urgent repairs. Note that a few issues here and there aren’t urgent—after all, no home is perfect, and a few granules in your gutter or a couple of cracked shingles hardly require extensive repairs. However, if you’ve noticed these five red flags with your roof, you should reach out to a professional today.
