An often-overlooked aspect of your home defense is the roof! It has the tough job of protecting everything under it from the rain, sun, hail, and debris. Typically, a new roof will last from 20- to 30- years, but there are many unaccounted-for factors which deteriorate your roof faster; and, unfortunately, it isn’t always obvious when something has gone wrong up there. So, what can you do!?

Inspecting your House for Roof Leaks

A roof leak can cause problems in a few areas: the ceiling, the interior and exterior walls, and the roof of course! The best thing you can do is inspect these areas after it rains. Let’s discuss some common signs you should be looking for.

  • Water Stains – These stains look like puddles surrounded by a brown ring; they can affect your ceiling and walls, so be sure to check the inside and outside of your house thoroughly (and bring a flashlight for those dark corners).
  • Drips – These often occur in the areas where water stains have worsened. Sometimes these drips (and stains) come and go, but don’t think you’re safe just because they’ve gone away; any moisture is problem and it should be fixed immediately.
  • Missing Shingles and Clogged Gutters – A missing shingle is a dead giveaway that a leak is in your future; check your attic and crawlspace to ensure there isn’t already a small leak. While your gutters and downspouts can get clogged and cause problems (but there are accessories you can install to prevent these).

Addressing Roof Problems

If you notice a leak or a problem that will likely lead to a leak, then you should call a professional to inspect it further and fix it right away. The fix may be as simple as replacing broken or missing shingles, sealing leaky joints, or improving your gutter system.

Age is the most common cause of a damaged roof and the leaks associated with it, so there will likely come a time when you must repair it; the key is to address the problem as soon as you can, because the water damage it causes will make the problem much worse.

In the End

A damaged roof is inevitable, as are leaks and water damage; if they aren’t caused by your roof or gutters, then they’ll be caused by a broken pipe, washing machine, rain, or overflowing bathtub. Be sure to inspect your house regularly for any potential problems and address any you discover immediately.

When water sneaks into your home (or out of it) and causes damage, you should call your local Santa Rosa, CA professional restoration service to clean it up immediately. A broken pipe or roof can be fixed without causing any damage, but water inside your home causes damage that can be hard to see and even harder to fix, so the trick is to vacuum it and dry it up as soon as you can (before it causes mold).