6 Types Of Roof Water Damage In 2023 (Homeowners Guide)
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6 Types Of Roof Water Damage (Homeowners Guide)

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Posted By: Roof Troopers

professional pointing out a water leak in roof; how long does a roof last

Roof Water damage and rot can cause irreversible structural damage to your property.

Today we’re going to look at a few different ways to determine whether you roof is damaged by water and how to know when it’s time to get it fixed.

Indoor Signs of Roof Water Damage

There are about two different ways that water damage can occur. The first way is indoors, and the second is outdoors.

painter looking at types of water damage on roof ceiling

Leaks and Water Spots

When you’re inside your home enjoying an evening with the family, there is nothing more frustrating than noticing that you have a leak in your home. All too often, you won’t see these leaks until they’ve turned into water spots or damaged the sheetrock that makes up your ceiling.

Leaks and water spots aren’t fun to deal with at all, but if you can catch them quickly enough and fix the underlying problem, you’ll be able to save thousands of dollars in repairs.

Sagging Ceiling or Bulges in Exterior Walls

Sometimes water doesn’t make itself known in the form of drips, puddles, or water spots on the ceiling. It can often be seen throughout your home or building in the form of a sagging ceiling. You’ll be able to notice that your ceiling is no longer flat. At some point, this may become more evident due to water spots, but keep an eye on your ceiling if you suspect water damage.

Bulges in exterior walls—especially those near the ceiling—can often be a telltale sign of water damage. Lumps are usually caused when water gets in the wood that makes up the wall. When the wood absorbs the water, it will expand, leaving your wall looking different than it did before.

Outdoor Signs of Roof Water Damage

When you’re outdoors, the easiest way to get a good idea of the condition of your home is to get up on the roof. Feel free to contact us if you’d like a free roof inspection.

Another way to check the condition of the roof is to take a glance up at your roof every once and awhile. Here are some of those things to look for to determine whether there is any damage on your roof.

Сlose up view of bitumen shingles roof damage that needs repair; roof water damage

Missing or Damaged Shingles

It can be pretty easy to spot missing shingles even from the ground. You might notice a few shingles in your yard after storm damage to your roof. It’s essential to get those fixed and replaced as soon as possible. Missing shingles will cause significant problems for your roof in the future.

Damaged shingles can come in many different forms, from shingles that are old and brittle to curled up edges. There are lots of ways in which shingles can be damaged. It’s often easier to see damage from the top of a roof, but it’s sometimes possible to see from the ground.

Missing Granules (Look for them in the Gutters)

Granules are the small bits of rock and synthetic material that make up the outside of asphalt shingles. As shingles age, they begin to lose these granules. A direct result of missing granules is water damage and leaking as they play a role in waterproofing your roof.

An excellent place to look and see if there are missing granules is in or around your gutters. Oftentimes granules will collect in these areas after they come loose. Missing granules aren’t a sure sign that your roof is leaking, but it is a sign that your roof is ready to be replaced.

closeup of rotting wood deck on roof due to water damage

Spongy or Soft Decking

After water gets under your shingles, it can begin to soak into the decking and eventually rot it out. This is something you won’t be able to see from the ground. You’ll have to put pressure on the roof in order to notice that the roof is soft.

Roof repairs can be expensive, but if you spot the damages early on, you can save the hassle of replacing the entire deck.

Hiring the Right Roofing Contractor

If you think your roof needs to be repaired or replaced due to water damage, you’ll need to find a roofing contractor. We recently compiled some questions that you can ask roofing contractors before you hire them. Check it out to make sure you’re asking all of the right questions.

For a contractor you can trust, reach out to Roof Troopers today. We’ll get you started with a free estimate.

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