Roof damage isn’t always obvious. A roof can look fine from the driveway while water is already getting behind shingles, flashing or penetrations.
Sentinel Exteriors works on homes throughout North Georgia, and some of the most expensive roof problems we encounter started as relatively small issues that went unnoticed.
Here are several things homeowners can safely look for without climbing onto the roof.
1. Missing, Lifted or Damaged Shingles
Walk around your home and look at the roof from the ground. Pay particular attention after high winds and severe storms.
Look for missing shingles, shingles that appear lifted or out of alignment, cracked or broken shingles, and areas where the roof looks noticeably different from the surrounding shingles.
One damaged shingle doesn’t automatically mean you need a new roof. The important question is why it failed and whether water can get underneath it.
2. Don’t Ignore Flashing and Roof Penetrations
Some roof leaks aren’t caused by the shingles at all.
Flashing around chimneys, walls, plumbing vents, skylights and other roof penetrations deserves particular attention. Failed sealants, displaced flashing or improper installation can allow water into the roof system even when the surrounding shingles still look good.
3. Check Your Gutters
Look for unusually heavy concentrations of roofing granules in your gutters and downspouts.
Some granule shedding is normal, particularly with a newer asphalt roof. Excessive or localized granule loss can indicate aging or damage and deserves a closer look.
Also watch for gutters pulling away from the fascia, overflowing water and staining on fascia or soffits. These aren’t automatically roof failures, but they can contribute to water problems around the roofline.
4. Inspect the Attic
Your attic can reveal a roof problem long before you notice a stain downstairs.
Look for water staining on roof decking or framing, damp insulation, active dripping, mold-like growth or musty odors. If an aging or leaking roof has already caused interior water damage or mold growth, spraying the shingles will not correct the damage inside the structure. Homeowners in Dallas and surrounding Northwest Georgia communities can contact Disaster Recovery Specialists for professional water, mold, and fire-damage restoration.
Pay particular attention after a long or wind-driven rain. A stain doesn’t necessarily tell you exactly where the roof is leaking because water can travel along decking and framing before becoming visible.
5. Check After North Georgia Storms
High winds, hail and falling limbs can damage a roof without creating an immediate interior leak.
From the ground, look for missing or displaced shingles, damaged ridge caps, fallen limbs, damaged gutters and visible damage to vents or other metal components.
Don’t climb onto a steep or potentially damaged roof yourself. A professional inspection can get a much closer look without putting you at risk.
Does Roof Damage Mean You Need a New Roof?
No.
Some problems can be repaired. Others are symptoms of widespread deterioration where replacement makes more financial sense.
That’s why Sentinel Exteriors evaluates the cause and extent of the problem before recommending the solution. A homeowner shouldn’t be sold a complete roof replacement when a properly performed repair will solve the problem.
Need Your Roof Checked?
Sentinel Exteriors serves homeowners throughout Canton, Woodstock, Alpharetta and surrounding North Georgia communities.
If you’ve noticed a leak, missing shingles, storm damage or something that simply doesn’t look right, we can inspect the problem, document what we find and explain your repair or replacement options.
Request an exterior evaluation from Sentinel Exteriors.