Roof Leaks: How Exposed Is Your Home?

When it comes to roof leaks, knowing the early warning signs pays Georgia homeowners back one hundredfold. Long before water actually drips from the ceiling, or you get a deluge of water that breaks through it, roof leaks are slowly and silently making their way into the home. Perform summer rain checks this year and make sure your roof isn’t leaking.

Signs that your roof will soon spring a leak include:

• Missing or damaged shingles. When shingles start to crack or warp, it means they’re nearing the end of their useful life span. Perhaps the granules have washed away, leaving the shingle exposed to the sun’s harsh rays causing them to crack. Or maybe a storm damaged the shingles. Regardless, damaged shingles leave the roof vulnerable to leaks. If shingles are missing, your roof is unprotected against water damage, roof leaks and other weather-related problems.
• Granule-filled gutters. This is another way to tell if the roof is wearing down and could eventually start leaking. Rain, as well as other weather that occurs in the Atlanta area, can cause shingle granules to loosen and wash away into the gutter, leaving the roof exposed to rain and the potential for more water damage to occur on the outside of your home.
• Ceiling stains. Water spots on the ceiling are a sign that the roof is leaking. You’ll need expert help to find the source of the problem because the leak could be located far away from the water spot. Additionally, the problem could be coming from leaky windows, condensation or a plumbing problem. However, if the spot appears only after a summer rain, it’s likely that the roof is the source of the problem.
• Exterior water spots. If you’re noticing water spots on the exterior of your home around the flashing, you most likely have a roof problem. Flashing is used to prevent water damage so if you are finding water spots, it may be time to replace and update these materials. Just like for ceiling stains, keep your eye open for the problem worsening after it rains. This is a key indicator that the problem stems from roof leaks.

If you have questions about how to prevent roof leaks or you’d like a roof inspection, contact Findlay Roofing today!

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