5 Ways to Identify If Your Home’s Roof Has Damage

When it comes to protecting a home from the elements, a roof needs to be able to stand up to anything weather can throw at it. However, sometimes that isn’t possible and the roof will be damaged while trying to do its job. All homeowners should be able to identify damage to their roofs, but it can be difficult to actually spot damage without knowing what to look for in advance. Here are some of the different types of damage all Westmount homeowners should be able to identify.

1. Shingles Are Missing

The most obvious type of damage when it comes to roofs is when shingles are missing. This can happen due to extreme winds, but if the roof is still new, it can also mean that the shingles weren’t properly installed by the roofer. If a homeowner spots missing shingles on their roof, they should call a roofer as soon as possible to have them replaced. The gaps caused by missing shingles can allow moisture and wind to get into a home’s attic, so the missing shingles need to be replaced quickly.

2. The Roof Is Sagging

Along with shingles being missing, one of the most visibly noticeable types of damage to a roof is if it’s sagging. Sagging will happen when a roof gets extremely old or if it’s been damaged structurally. If a homeowner notices their roof is sagging, they need to have it replaced as soon as physically possible. If a roof is sagging, it means the roof is at risk of collapsing at any time, which is an extreme safety hazard that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

3. Sun Can Be Seen In the Attic

Sometimes damage isn’t clearly visible from the outside of a home. When doing routine inspections, homeowners should always try to go into their home’s attic in order to get a better look at cracks and leaks. If the homeowner can see daylight streaming through the roof or water damage in the attic from rainfall, that’s a bad sign. It means that wind and rain are able to get into the home, and that can mean that there is mold growth in the attic from them. 

4. There Is Damage From Hail Elsewhere

Whether it’s pea-sized or baseball-sized, hail can easily damage a home. However, hail damage on a roof can be less obvious than the same damage anywhere else. After a hailstorm, homeowners should first begin their search for damage on places other than the roof such as cars kept outdoors, gutters, air conditioning units, and so on. If there are indents from hail on any of these sorts of things, there is a very good chance the roof has suffered as well. In order to find damage from hail on shingles, homeowners should look for circular areas that are missing granules. These are the impact sites of the hailstones and proof of damage.

5. Shingle Granules Are Missing

Shingles are covered in rough granules that make them more durable throughout their lifetime. As shingles age, it’s normal for these granules to come loose and fall off. When cleaning out the home’s gutters, homeowners should keep an eye out for missing granules collecting beneath the fallen leaves. A lot of granules falling off can mean that the shingles are nearing the end of their lifespans.

Keeping these five signs of damage in mind can help homeowners give their roof the care and attention it needs. When damage is spotted on a roof, homeowners should contact a professional roofer as soon as they can to prevent any further damage to their home.