Your roof is one of the most important exterior parts of your home. It protects you and your family from the elements, and it keeps your home warm and dry. If there are any signs of damage to your roof, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Are you concerned that your roof might have sustained damage? If so, there are a few telltale signs that could indicate that it is in need of repair. In these cases, we recommend calling a professional immediately. Remedying these issues can help better protect your home as well as save you from more costly and time-consuming repairs in the future.
1: Visual Signs of Damage
Though many parts of a roof can be hard to see from ground level, there may be some that are visible. For example, you may notice a hole or bare spot in the roof where shingles once were.
If parts of the roof have broken off, you may also see them on the ground. Look for items like gutter segments, roof shingles, and other similar debris that could indicate that damage has occurred.
2: Leaks
Another clear indicator of roof damage is leaking. Whether water is visibly dripping down or you notice dark or discolored spots on your ceiling, this most likely indicates that your roof is in need of repair.
It is important to note that even a small leak can quickly turn into a much larger and more expensive problem, so it is best not to delay in addressing the issue.
3: Daylight Coming Through Your Roof
When checking for signs of damage, be sure to also go into the attic. If there is daylight coming through your roof, this means that there are holes or cracks that need to be fixed.
This is a serious problem as it leaves your home vulnerable to water damage and other issues. In addition, if you can see sunlight coming through your roof, chances are that animals and insects A may be able to enter through these openings.
4: Sagging
A sagging roof is another clear indicator of damage. This usually is caused by a structural issue, such as water damage, rot, or an infestation of pests.
If you notice any visible sagging in your roof, call a professional immediately. They can perform an inspection and identify the root cause of the problem as well as recommend what next steps need to be taken, such as scheduling a repair or having an exterminator arrive to eliminate any pests beforehand.
5: Increased Energy Bills
Have you noticed that it feels like your energy bills have increased with no real explanation? You have not been leaving lights on, running the air conditioner at a higher rate, or anything else that could result in the spike.
When a roof is damaged, air can leak through these openings as well as cause drastic changes in your home’s interior climate. In turn, this can cause your home’s heating and cooling systems to exert more energy to compensate, which results in higher energy costs.
However, there could be other factors that could also impact your energy bills rising, such as:
- Your heating and cooling systems are old and need to be replaced
- Your local electric company changing their prices
- An issue with a household appliance
Still, playing it safe is preferred to continuing to live with increased expenses. Call a professional if you notice bills continuing to rise to see if they can examine your roof for signs of damage. If there are none that are discovered, this can narrow down your possible causes for the higher costs.
Get Residential and Commercial Roof Repair in Jacksonville
So, we have covered the hidden dangers that a damaged roof can pose to your home and some tips on how to tell if your roof needs some repair work. Now, let’s talk about what happens if you do ignore damage to your roof.
Roof damage continues to worsen over time. Small holes grow bigger, leaks increase in frequency, and the entire structure of the roof could eventually be at risk of collapse. That does not even take interior issues such as water, mold, and pests into account.
When you notice any signs of damage, call a professional as soon as possible. Your home will thank you for it.
Our team of expert roofers at HW Roofing provides timely and thorough roof repairs to homes and commercial properties throughout Jacksonville, greater North Florida, as well as southwest Georgia. If you have noticed any of the above signs of roof damage or you suspect that your roof may have sustained damage recently, contact us today for more information on how we can help restore it to pristine condition.