how do you know if you have roof damage

How to Know You Have a Problem: 7 Signs of a Damaged Roof

• Loose or Lifting Shingles. When you look at your roof, all the shingles should be smooth and flat in order to keep moisture out of your home.
• It Hailed Recently. ...
• Your Shingles Look Patchy. ...
• Water Stains on Your Ceiling. ...
• Curled or Cupped Shingles. ...
• Debris on Your Roof. ...
• Missing Shingles. ...

Full Answer

What are the warning signs that your roof needs repair?

Roof Repair Signs

1. Roof Leaks. When everything about your roof seems alright and you observe some water stain on your ceiling, something is not right.
2. Missing Shingles. Most of the roofs are made up of asphalt shingles. ...
3. Gravel in Your Gutters. ...
4. Cracked or Buckling Shingles. ...
5. Appearance of Dark Patches. ...
6. Sagging Roof. ...
7. Recent Storm. ...
8. Daylight Through Attic. ...
9. High Utility Bills. ...
10. Age. ...

What are the signs my roof needs fixing?

What Are The Signs My Roof Needs Fixing

• Water Damage. If you see damp patches coming through onto your upstairs ceilings, it is not always a sign of a window left open last time it rained— this is ...
• Mold and Moss Growth. If you can see the beginnings of moss, mold, or any discoloration, it could mean trouble. ...
• Light, Debris, and Sagging. ...

Do you know these signs of roof damage?

Water stains appearing in the attic are the most common signs of water leakage through the roof and can lead to drywall damage and rotting wood. However, a sagging ceiling is a more urgent sign of serious roof damage. You may notice small areas in your ceiling that appear to bubble out or dip. Using a broom, gently push against the area.

Do you know the signs of a sun damaged roof?

The most serious sign of sun damage on your roof is water leaks or water damage. If this is noticed, you need to call a professional to address the problem right away. In most cases, you will notice this type of problem pretty quickly, before it has a chance to cause a significant amount of damage.

How do I know if my roof shingle is damaged?

If you notice a sagging ceiling, broken gutters, leaks or missing patches of shingles, your sheathing may be damaged. When shingles reach the end of their useful life, you may notice they fall off or become cracked, brittle or curled, which means it may be time for a new roof.

How do you check for roof problems?

How to Spot Roof Damage Before Leaks AppearComposition shingles: curling, loss of granulation, broken, damaged or missing shingles.Wood shingles/shakes: Mold or decay, splitting or curling.Flat roof: Obvious patches, cracks or tears, several blisters and/or wrinkles (also check patched areas from inside the attic)More items...

How do you describe roof damage?

Regular wear on your roof might look like faded color, dark spots or uneven shingles on your roof, or higher energy bills from deterioration. Roof damage will look more like missing or cracked shingles, water leaks in your attic, or damaged flashing.

What does roof storm damage look like?

Hail hits that are black in color. Loss of granules, which may expose the roof felt. Asphalt and/or mat that appears shiny. Hail hits that are soft to the touch, like the bruise on an apple.

What are common roof problems?

There are a handful of potential issues—old or torn shingles, worn-out flashing, clogged gutters, and more—that will degrade the roof. It's a gradual process—first a loose shingle or worn piece of flashing lets in a little water, then decay develops, and soon you have water ruining your house.

Where are roofing problems most common?

Roof leaks are probably the single most common roofing problems plaguing most homeowners. The leaks could be a result of many roof issues, such as broken shingles. Mostly, you'll find leaks near the chimney, around gutters, at flashing points, and close to vents or pipes.

What causes damage to a roof?

High winds, thunderstorms, hail storms, high heat, deep cold, and hurricanes will all cause damage. Kansas City and Chicago roofers alike know that thingles can get broken, ripped up and this can cause open spaces where water and moisture can get in. In winter, moisture gets in and then freezes.

How do I know when I need a new roof?

You Need a New Roof If You Notice Curling, Missing, or Mossy ShinglesCracked shingles.Damaged or curled shingles.Loose or missing shingles.Damage or discoloration around vents.Missing granules.Moss or algae growth.Damage around chimneys or skylights.

How do you repair a damaged roof?

If a shingle is simply cracked or torn, you don't have to replace it—just repair it. Start by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. Press the shingle down and apply a second bead of sealant on top of the crack. Then spread the sealant with a putty knife.

What kind of roof damage is covered by insurance?

For your insurance to cover roof damage, it must be caused by an extreme weather event. This includes straight-line winds (aka damaging winds) during heavy thunderstorms, hail storms, snowstorms, and tornados. Your homeowners insurance should also cover roof damage from fallen tree limbs caused by strong storms.

Can you claim on insurance for storm damage?

As explained above, storm damage is usually covered by your home insurance. But to pay out on a claim, your insurer must be satisfied that you've maintained your home to a reasonable standard.

What is roof wear and tear?

Roof wear and tear caused by old age is normal and usually not covered by insurance. While these signs of possible deterioration are not a pressing matter, they are warnings that your roof should be monitored for more serious damage. Fading Color. Over time, asphalt shingles will lose their vibrant color.

Missing Shingles

An obvious sign of roof damage is if you have missing shingles. This can be caused by several things, but more often than not, it’s due to a severe storm or strong winds that lifted your shingles and tore them away. Thankfully, missing shingles can be fixed by simply getting new shingles to replace the old ones.

Damaged Shingles

Another noticeable sign of roof damage is damaged shingles. Damaged shingles can be caused by strong winds, hail, or even just the weather itself as it slowly eats away at them and weakens their integrity. As a result, they may look cracked, torn, dented, or have other symptoms of damage.

Debris Damage

Strong winds can carry large debris such as twigs, branches, or even lawn furniture. When that debris hits your roof, it can cause extensive damage to your shingles, gutters, or siding. When hit with debris, your shingles can be cracked, dented, or even broken off completely.

Loss of Granules

Asphalt shingles have granules as their first layer of protection, and when those fall off, it leaves your roof susceptible to damage and leaks. Hail storms can hit your shingles, causing those granules to break off in large clusters.

Damaged Flashing

Flashing is often one of the first things to go on your roof, especially if not installed correctly. Your roof and flashing are meant to work together as a system, so if there’s a weak point in the roof, it can cause problems for your entire home.

Water Leaks

Water leaks are a sign of roof damage that many homeowners don’t catch until it’s too late. Water can cause rot, peeling paint, or even mold if not dealt with immediately. You may notice water spots on your ceiling, in the attic, or signs of seepage in the rooms below the leak.

Poor Ventilation

A poorly ventilated roof can cause problems for your entire home. It’s possible for debris to build up and block airflow in the attic over time, especially if your roof does not have enough piping boots to vent it. This causes moisture buildup, which creates mold and rot at a much faster rate than usual.

Loose or Lifting Shingles

When you look at your roof, all the shingles should be smooth and flat in order to keep moisture out of your home. One surefire sign that your roof has some damage is loose or lifting shingles.

It Hailed Recently

If you think about damage from hail, you probably think about how it can wreck the body of a car. But did you know that hail can do a number on your home’s roof, too? Hail can be as large as a softball, and it tends to have rough edges which makes it super effective at dealing out damage.

Your Shingles Look Patchy

Roofing shingles are covered in something called granules. It’s these granules that make your shingles water-resistant and protect your home from water damage. Over time, granules can wear away with age or exposure to bad weather.

Water Stains on Your Ceiling

Have you been up in your attic lately? One major sign that your roof has seen better days is water stains on your ceiling, or, even worse, water getting in your home when it rains.

Curled or Cupped Shingles

When you’re checking out your home’s roof, you should look for curled or cupped shingles. Curled and cupped shingles are much more brittle than undamaged shingles, and they are less effective at protecting your roof from rain and wind.

Debris on Your Roof

Maryland is no stranger to inclement weather. Between the brutal winters, hot summers, and the occasional hurricane, there are a number of ways your roof can wind up covered in debris.

Missing Shingles

It goes without saying that missing a bunch of shingles is a huge indicator that your home’s roof has seen better days. But if you’re only missing one or two shingles? Well, that’s still a strong indicator that your roof needs some TLC.

Internal Inspection

Let’s start with internal inspections. By internal, we mean inspections that are done from inside your home. Even though your roof is on the outside of your home, if you have significant or prolonged roof damage, you can see the signs from inside the house.

Sunlight

Sunlight is great, but it should only be coming into your home through windows. If sunlight is entering your house through your ceiling (and no skylight is installed) this is a sign that your roof is damaged. Most of the time you won’t see the sunlight in the areas you spend most of your time.

Leakage

Leakage is another way to diagnose roof damage during an internal inspection. If water from outside is making it into the inside of your house, there is definitely a problem. Water will typically first show signs in areas where the roof is traditionally weakest.

Soft Spots on Your Ceiling

Soft spots on your ceiling are usually a sign that you have leakage. If you have a finished ceiling, leakage might not immediately be present in the form of water. That’s because the water takes time to make it through the material covering the ceiling.

External Inspection

An internal inspection is the easiest inspection method. However, internal inspection means that the damage to the roof is so drastic that the roof is no longer doing its job. Catching these problems before they reach the inside of your house can prevent internal repairs and keep your home safe.

Shingle Granules in Gutters

Asphalt shingles are typically made up of a combination of materials. The “rough” sand-paper like texture that is on the top is most commonly mineral granules that have been glued to the shingle. With age and constant exposure to mother nature, these granules may start to break off from the shingle.

Curled Shingles

A shingle inspection can help you determine if the shingles are starting to lose their strength. Your shingles should be aligned with the pitch (angle) of your roof. If your shingles are starting to bend or curl, then that means they are starting to lose strength. Curled shingles start to have problems before the full curl started happening.

How to tell if a roof leak is leaking?

Look for any water stains on the ceilings (corners especially) for signs of roof leakage. Look for bubbling paint, where water gets trapped between drywall and paint during a storm.

What happens if you see shingles in the yard?

Hail is usually accompanied by high winds. If you see shingles in the yard, you may have wind or hail damage on the roof.

How big of a hail stone is needed for a roof?

If your roof contains one layer of common asphalt shingles, it usually takes a 1″ or above diameter hail stone to cause damage roof hail damage. Roofs with multiple shingle layers may be damaged by smaller hail stones, due to a softer support surface directly under the top shingle layer.

What happens if you get a hail storm in your pool?

If there’s a pool, check for any debris from storm damage. Hail storms may cause extensive damage to trees, stripping leaves that end up on the ground.

What does a roofer do?

Your roofer can provide a detailed inspection to help you determine whether your roof has enough damage to warrant a claim. In addition to diagnosing the problem, a qualified roofer will be able to offer an affordable and long-lasting solution to make sure your home is safe and dry for years to come.

Can hail damage a roof?

Roof hail damage can be hard to spot. Especially if you’ve never looked for it before. But if your roof has been damaged by hail, your home may be vulnerable to roof leaks or more rapid deterioration of shingles or roofing materials.

Is it dangerous to inspect a roof?

PLEASE NOTE – Inspecting a roof can be dangerous. Always practice safety first. We do not advise you to get on your roof unless you have proper safety gear and relevant roofing or construction experience. If you need professional help to determine whether you have hail damaged on your roof, contact a reputable, ...

What is Considered Roof Damage?

Roof damage is something that occurs from external forces immediately causing damage vs. regular wear and tear that occurs over time as your roof ages. Wear and tear can still lead to necessary repairs or replacement but is less immediate than sustaining damage from a storm or high winds.

How do I Know if My Roof Has Storm Damage?

There are a few things you can do and be aware of to know when or if your roof has sustained storm damage. Depending on where you live, the number and severity of storms can vary greatly. Here in the upper midwest, we are very familiar with severe thunderstorms, high winds, and even the occasional hail storm or tornado.

Can Roof Damage be Repaired?

Yes! Roof damage can and should be repaired. More often than not, if your roof is within its lifespan and the damage is not catastrophic, it can easily be repaired with new shingles, flashing, and underlayment within a day.

What to do if You Have Roof Damage

If you have roof damage, you can take a few critical steps to ensure it gets repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

How do I know if my roof has hail damage?

The first question we often receive is how do I know if my roof has hail damage. After a storm, hail damage can be difficult to spot from the ground – and we never recommend homeowners get on their roof to inspect new roof damage.

What can you do before your free hail damage roof inspection?

Understandably, you may be curious if you’ve sustained hail damage to your roof before the experts arrive. Instead of climbing onto your roof, look for tell-tale signs of legitimate damage from the ground. We recommend that homeowners walk around their homes and document any areas of concern as soon as it is safe to do so.

Common items to look for when assessing hail damage

if you see granule loss on your asphalt shingles roofing, your roof may have sustained some damage from hail and/or the storm. Granule loss can also occur over time through normal wear and tear. When that happens, a hail storm can accelerate shingle damage and cause the protective granules to be worn down even faster.

Should I replace the roof after hail damage?

The answer is, it depends. Hail roof damage can come in many forms. Depending on the intensity of the hail damage, your roof may simply need a minor repair to replace or restore a few shingles. On the other hand, replacing shingles won’t be enough to restore your roof if you suffered major roof hail damage.

Does insurance cover roof hail damage?

Most often, the answer is YES. To begin a claim, you’ll need to contact your insurance company and let them know that you suspect hail damage (roof damage or otherwise). Your next step is to call a professional roofing contractor like Allstate. The first thing we’ll do is schedule your no-obligation roof inspection.

How much does insurance pay for hail damage on the roof?

Many homeowners can expect to have some coverage from their insurance policy in the event of roof hail damage. But there are a few things to consider before – and after you make a claim.

What are the factors that affect hail damage?

Following are some factors that affect the type and degree of damage that may be impacted by a hailstorm, as well as a guide on how to identify hail damage to different types of shingles and roofing materials. Wind – During a hailstorm, wind direction and wind speed can vary. Changes in wind conditions can affect the location and severity ...

What causes shingles to brittle?

For example, exposure to inclement weather and sunlight makes shingles brittle and gives them an aged appearance. This type of damage is normal wear and tear of shingles, which is sometimes misidentified as hail damage. Other types of normal wear and tear may include blistering, cracking, granule loss, flaking and algae.

What is a split in shingles?

A split in the shingle that has sharp corners and edges. A split in the shingle that has little to no deterioration at the edges. Impact marks or dents along the splits. There are many other types of damage to shingles that can be mistaken for hail damage.

Can hailstones puncture a roof?

Alternatively, softball-sized hailstones can be dense enough and strong enough to puncture a roof. Additionally, the age and condition of a roof could affect the degree of damage. Barriers – The position of neighboring structures and natural barriers, like tree cover, landscaping, fences or adjacent homes can reduce the ability ...

Can hail damage shingles?

As an example, hail damage to asphalt and composition shingles can look very different than hail damage to wood shingles. It is important to know the different effects of the damage to properly identify whether or not you have roof damage from hail.

What can cause damage to a roof?

Wind. Hurricane-force winds, which are classified by meteorologists as 74 mph or greater, or gale-force winds , which are between 39-54 mph, can cause visible damage to your home’s roof. High winds can remove or tear shingles, leaving the underlayment, roof deck, or waterproofing material exposed to the elements.

What happens if a storm hits your roof?

Depending on how severe the storm was, debris can end up on the top of your roof, everything from small branches to larger tree limbs. Large objects can dent or impact the surface of the shingle, leaving that area of the roof vulnerable to moisture intrusion, whereas lighter branches may not be as much of a problem.

How long does hail last on a roof?

While hailstorms tend to be relatively short, and rarely last for longer than 15 minutes, hailstones can leave dents or pockmarks in shingles and knock shingle granules loose. This can be problematic because these granules help protect your roof against rain and sun damage. Hail damage can also ruin the pleasing aesthetic appearance of your roof’s surface.

Why do shingles overlap?

When shingles are installed, they’re purposefully overlapped to create a water-tight seal, and this lifting and curling can break this seal, potentially leaving your roof vulnerable to damage from wind-driven rain.

How to check for hail damage?

Outside Areas: Walk around your home’s exterior and look for fallen tree limbs, missing fence posts, or damage to lawn furniture and other decorations. Flat surfaces, such as patios and decks, can be checked for hail damage. Attic and Ceilings: Observe these areas for leaks and water spots.

What are the areas of a house that are prone to water leaks?

Attic and Ceilings: Observe these areas for leaks and water spots. While your home’s roof might appear undamaged on the exterior, wind and hail can cause unseen leaks that may lead to bigger problems later. Ceilings, light fixtures, and your attic should all be inspected for water leaks and spots.

What are the weather problems that affect the roof of a house?

From tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms, and summer squalls that bring driving wind and rain, storms can wreak havoc on roofs and other exterior home surfaces.