Before a major storm arrives and causes significant damage, you need to give your roof a onceover. Look for signs of leakage early so that you can get help before it becomes serious.
Your Attic Is the First Clue
Start with the attic. This is often the first place to reveal a hidden roof leak. Since the attic is right underneath the roof decking, any water that sneaks past the shingles or flashing will usually show up there before it will anywhere else.
Look for water stains or dark streaks on the wooden beams or on the insulation. You might also spot damp or compressed insulation, which signals that water has been trickling down for a while. Compressed insulation is not fluffy enough and does not insulate well, so it wastes energy. Also, if you smell a musty or mildew odor while you are up there, it’s a sure sign that moisture is present. The dark, warm space is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. A small stain can turn into a big drip when a blizzard comes.
Check Inside the House
If the leak is bad enough, it will show up in other areas of your home. You will see discoloration or yellow or brown rings on the ceilings or walls, especially near the fireplace. You may even see peeling or bubbling paint.
Checking the Gutters and Downspouts
The gutters are a huge part of your roof’s drainage system, and they can offer important clues about the roof’s overall condition. If your gutters are full of little, sandpaper-like granules that have washed off the shingles, your roof is getting old. The shingles are losing the protective coating that shields them from the sun and weather.
When those protective granules are gone, the shingle wears out much faster, which makes it much more likely to leak when winter storms bring heavy rain or ice. You also need to make sure your gutters are not clogged. When water backs up, it can pool and seep up under the shingles, which causes damage to the roof’s edge. So, cleaning out your gutters is one of the quickest ways to keep your roof happy and leak-free for all your festivities.
Examining the Roof From the Ground
While you should never climb on a wet or frozen roof, you can safely inspect the roof from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Pay special attention to areas that are most likely to fail, such as around the chimney, skylights and vents, because the seals and flashing in these spots can easily crack or come loose over time. Look for shingles that are curled, buckled or missing. These defects create easy entry points for water.
If you see something that looks clearly damaged, or if you can see holes where nails were pulled out, you know you have found a potential leak. If that is the case, call North Creek Roofing in Mill Creek, WA for a roof inspection before the holiday fun begins.
