7 Warning Signs of a Failing Roof

Don’t get caught with sudden, costly repairs. Keep an eye on your roof and learn how to spot problems before they severely impact your wallet with these warning signs.

1. A Leak in the Attic: After a strong storm or wind driven rain, take a look in the attic for signs of leaking. Ice damming can also cause water to enter the house if you don’t have an adequate shingle underlayment or if the flashing has deteriorated.
2.  Blistering or Peeling Pain: When paint starts to peel off, the cause is likely trapped moisture in the house due to excessive temperatures or high humidity from poor attic ventilation. The air in the attic needs to flow from the front of the soffit to the ridge to reduce humidity. Make sure there is a vent in areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, and dryers should vent outside.
3. Stains on Ceilings and Walls: If you see stains or, even worse, mold growth inside your home, it may be caused by inadequate or faulty shingle underlayment that is allowing water to seep into the house. Inadequate ventilation could also be the culprit.
4. Missing, Cracked, or Curled Shingles: If you see that your shingles are dry or practically break when touched, that means they have reached the end of their useful life and it’s time to invest in a new roof. 
5. Dark Areas on Your Roof: This could mean your roof has vegetation, fungus, mold or algae growth, or that the shingles protective granules have been lost. This doesn’t mean you need to replace your roof, but these stains can reduce curb appeal.
6. Sheathing and Shingle Decay: Older homes may experience sheathing decay. This can be easy to spot from the ground. Any areas of the roof that look like they are sagging are a sure sign of major structure problems. Homeowners can look in the attic, but it can be hard to locate the problem in certain structures.
7. Excessive Energy Costs: A possible cause of higher cooling costs could be insufficient attic ventilation, requiring the AC to run excessively. In warm weather, inadequate ventilation will trap hot air in the attic, causing air conditioning systems to work harder or leaving your home’s interior hotter and less comfortable.