The biggest signs of a roof leak might go unnoticed at first. However, it’s important to take care of these issues. If left unfixed, a leaky roof can cause major damage to your home and cost you an unwanted amount of money in repairs.
At the first signs of a leak, call a roofing expert to help you correct the damage. Destin Roofing has been helping homeowners all over the Emerald Coast of Florida since 1981. We are always happy to help our community protect their home with our professional roofing tips! Here are some of the most common signs of roof leaks to look out for:
Water Spots On Ceilings And Walls
One of the most common signs of a leaky roof is water stains running through ceilings and walls. Tracking down this leak can be difficult, but we have a couple of tips for you. Look for shiners on the underside of your roof.
This is a nail that didn’t make it into the framing, and moisture will collect and condense on them. They’re easiest to spot on cold nights. As your attic warms up, the condensation will defrost and drip, and the cycle will start again. You can easily clip this nail with pliers.
Missing Or Damaged Shingles
Shingles play an essential part in protecting your home. If you’re dealing with hail-damaged shingles or shingles that are missing entirely, it’s important to replace them. Water will drip into your home without shingles providing that solid layer of protection.
It’s also important to check for holes left by antennas, satellite dishes and other appliances. If you don’t replace these shingles right away, it leaves room for water leaks.
Cracked Or Damaged Plumbing Vent Boots
Your plumbing vent is yet another source of potential leaks. If the vent, which is usually a white pipe coming out of the roof, is rotten or torn, water can seep into your home.
Replace the boot if there’s damage. If the boot looks fine but the base is missing nails, you can simply replace the nails. Remember to cover the nails with a roofing sealant to keep them from oxidizing and rusting.
Mold At The Joining Of Exterior Walls And Roof
Kick-out flashing helps prevent water damage at the roof edge and sidewall joining points. Without flashing, the roof runoff will flow down the wall, and maybe even into the wall. If there is a window or door below this point, water can seep into the trim and cause more damage.
Rusted Gutters
Rust is never a good sign. If you notice rusted spots on your gutters, especially at seams, this may lead to a leak. You can sometimes remove and repair the rusted part of your gutter, but if the damage is too severe, you may need to replace that section of your gutters.
Mold On Outer Walls
Exterior walls are the most susceptible to water damage from roof leaks. If you notice mold growing on one of these walls, it’s time to check for roof leaks. Find the distance from the moldy area to a window or door, then use this to find the spot on the outside of your home. Check your downspouts or sloping ground around this area.
Missing Gutter Aprons
Gutter aprons direct water away from the most vulnerable areas of your house. If you have rain gutters and no gutter apron, the water will catch behind the gutter. Eventually, this will cause damage and rot on the fascia and soffits, and the damage can extend even deeper.
Missing Or Damaged Flashing
Flashing helps to waterproof the edges and jutting sections of the roof. It’s a thin piece of metal that you’ll find at all joints on your roof and around areas like chimneys and vent pipes.
If any of this metal flashing is missing or damaged, water can easily leak into your home. Leaks can also happen when step flashing rusts or comes loose. Storms, high winds and dry weather can all cause damage to your flashing.
Sometimes you can repair these areas without replacing your entire roof, but you’ll need to consult with an expert to be sure.
A Trusted Company For Destin Roof Repairs
Since 1981, Florida homeowners have trusted Destin Roofing to install and repair their roofing. If you’ve noticed water stains, damaged shingles or missing flashing, you need a professional to help fix your home.
Instead of trying to climb on your roof and repair it on your own, trust our skilled roofers at Destin Roofing! We even offer a 10-year Workmanship Warranty, because we take pride in our work. Don’t wait to fix that leak, call Destin Roofing today and say goodbye to your leaky roof.
