4 Signs of Potentially Serious Roofing Problems

We’ve told you before that the best way to avoid roofing problems is to regularly check your roof for signs of damage. But there are some signs of roofing troubles that may not necessarily seem urgent, but they could be signs of a significant roofing problem.

Aside from the fact that it keeps the wind, rain, cold and scorching sun out of your home, there’s another reason you need to be more vigilant about regularly inspecting your roof.

You use just about everything else in your home every day. If your refrigerator motor was to start making a funny noise, or if it just stopped working, you’d notice it right away.

But when was the last time you even got a close look at your roof, if ever? And a small leak could start, but, if you don’t check your attic regularly, you might never know about the leak until one day you see stains on your celling or walls.

If you spot any of the flowing, they could be signs that you need a roof repair or replacement if you want to avoid costly leaks.

1. Water Spilling Out of Your Eaves Troughs

Your eaves troughs and downspouts play an important role in your roofing system by getting all the rain that falls in the roof away from the house. If the downspout becomes clogged, or if water can’t run along the eaves troughs, ran water backs u and spills out of the eaves. With so much water falling so close to your home, you have an increased risk of a basement leak.

2. Dark Streaks on the Roof

If you notice dark streaking on your roof, looking like someone poured dirty water on the roof and it dries before draining away, it’s most likely mold and/or fungi. One of the reasons that mold and other organics grow on your roof is because they feed on your roofing shingles. Mold and fungi will reduce your roof’s lifespan.

3. Roofing Gravel in the Eavestroughs

Asphalt roofing tiles are coated with stone granules for protection. You probably noticed the granules in your eavestroughs when you first installed the roof. That’s just the excess granules used in the manufacturing process being washed away. But if your roof is more than a few years old and you notice an increase of the amount of granules in the troughs, it’s a sign that the shingles are losing their protection, leaving them more vulnerable to the elements, and more likely to leak.

The more attention you pay to your roof, the less you’ll pay to a roofing repair and installation company to fix or replace it.