Signs of Roof Damage
No house is complete or strong without a roof. The roof also receives the most severe punishment from the elements. When you look at the current trend of rainfall and storms, this part of your house is set to receive even more abuse form the environmental forces. They will give you a roof full of holes and leaks, and a house that is flooded. You need to know the difference between a roof with integrity, and one that allows water damage. Here are the things that will point you in the right direction.
Water stains are the simplest way of telling. The ceiling will show dark, circular spots. You get to understand there has been water damage that could allow water to pass through. You need to have the roof inspected at those spots to tell how far the damage has gone. The most likely culprit is broken shingles.
Another sign is broken or missing shingles. You can check around the house for any broken shingles. It also calls for you to go up the roof the check closely. As it rains, water will act on the shingles and over time, loosen and dislodge them. One missing shingle should be enough for you to do something as soon as possible. You will find it easier replacing one than having to replace the whole roof.
Another bad sign is shingle granules in the gutter. When you see lots of them, know the damage is quite a lot. Rain will keep on destroying the shingles, and the sun will also get them cracking. It is important that you replace the granules before the singles are all but destroyed.
Soft wood decking is also a danger sign. You can check by climbing on the roof and walking about. Be careful not to step too hard on it and crash in. Soft wood is a sign of rotting wood, not just water sipping through.
A saggy ceiling needs attention. Water damage may not manifest itself as the dark circular spots on the ceiling, but it can appear as saggy sections with bubbles and curves. If nothing is done, the water collecting there may overwhelm the ceiling, and collapse it flooding the rooms.
Water leaks are a sign of the worst damage. Wet spots on the floor mean you should be prepared for a major roof repair or a replacement project. The best thing is to prevent things from getting to that point.
These signs show themselves well when there has been some rain. Do not let the next rainy season find the roof in disrepair. You can visit this site to discover more ways to handle such issues and professional help.