Shingles, Nails, and Beyond

If you see a hole in your roof caused by an impact or from animal damage, you know for sure you need roof repairs done. Other times, damage may not be quite so obvious. Here are four signs to watch for that could indicate your roof is damaged or leaking and needs repairs. 

1. Your Home Has A Mildew Odor

If your roof is leaking, there could be water damage in the attic. If you don't go in your attic very often, you may not realize the insulation is wet or that mold is growing. However, your house may have a musty odor of mildew that you can't track down.

If you've verified there is no plumbing leak in your house, and you're mystified about the source of the odor, take a look in your attic. You may find your roof has been leaking without you being aware.

2. You See Squirrels Or A Raccoon On Your Roof Nightly

If you happen to notice squirrels or a raccoon climbing over your roof about the same time every evening, they may be heading through a hole to get inside your attic. If you can't see your entire roof from the ground, you may want to take a look in your attic for signs of an animal invasion.

Be careful about going in your attic if a raccoon is present or you might scare it into attacking you. The raccoon or squirrels will probably leave during the day, and that's a good time to have roof repairs done that block entry holes so the pests can't get back inside.

3. You Notice Tree Branches Have Grown Against The Roof

Tree branches can cause damage to shingles because the branches are moved around by wind. When branches scrape shingles, they knock off granules, and they can move the shingles out of place.

Have your trees trimmed and then check the condition of the shingles. If they look bare or have cracks, have the shingles replaced so they protect your roof from rain.

4. You Hear Dripping When It Rains

You often see discolored areas on your ceiling when your roof leaks, but sometimes the leak might drip behind a wall. Water runs along surfaces and can go a long distance before it drips down, and in some cases, the drip is hidden. If you hear dripping in your house when it rains hard, get to the source of the sound.

Look inside your cabinets and other closed areas if possible, or go in your attic and look for water running along the ceiling or wall. Even if you can't find the source of the drip, call a roofer for help. The roofer can pinpoint the leaky area and make repairs so your home doesn't sustain water damage.