Things to look for
It’s important to conduct regular visual inspections of a roof to look for signs of damage. Natural disasters like tornadoes, earthquakes or fires are obvious indicators of roof damage, but more common signs may be ceiling stains or drips, signs of wear like cracked or missing shingles, rust spots, moss or lichen growth, discoloration or peeling paint under eaves.
Asphalt shingles are made up of granules that tend to disintegrate over time. Granules found in a house’s gutters may be a sign that the shingles are breaking down and need to be replaced.
If a ceiling has a leak spot, homeowners can determine the source of the leak if the home has an unfinished attic or pitched roof that’s accessible. Remedies for simple leaks include filling a crack with caulk, replacing a few shingles or installing flashing to redirect water away from the home. It’s often easier to call a professional to find the source of a leak and determine the next steps, especially when leaks occur in a home without an unfinished attic or above-ceiling crawl space.
Even without obvious signs of damage, if a roof is more than 20 years old or out of warranty, then it may be time for the roof to be replaced by a professional roofer. Proactively replacing a roof will help prevent major damage to the roof structure and other parts of the house later on.