Depending on the type of roof you have, you can expect to get anywhere from 20 to more than 30 years out of it before it will need to be replaced.

Unfortunately, unexpected damage can sometimes expedite that timeline. 

If you notice the damage right away, a simple repair may be possible. But if you don’t, unfixed damage can lead to even more costly repairs, both to your roof and your home.

To help you fix damage fast and stop it from getting even worse, keep reading to learn 9 signs of roof damage every homeowner should know.

1. Dark Spots

Dark-colored roof shingles are a popular choice for several reasons. Besides giving homes a modern look, they are also great for retaining heat, warming your home in the winter, and lowering your energy costs.

Unfortunately, dark shingles can also mask a common sign of roof damage; water damage. A leaky roof may develop dark spots where the moisture is getting in.

If you do notice this problem, you’ll want to get professional help as soon as possible. Without roof servicing, this already expensive issue could cause your costs to skyrocket.

2. Missing Shingles

Easier to spot than a water stain on a dark roof, missing shingles can sometimes be very noticeable.

If just a single shingle or two have been displaced, it might be tougher to spot. But failing to spot them can lead to water damage. 

A few shingles or even a section can usually be replaced, as long as the rest of the roof is in good shape and water didn’t have a chance to soak in. But leave this problem unfixed and your roof may be damaged to the point where you’ll be forced to replace the entire thing.

3. Broken Shingles

A few chipped or cracked shingles might not seem like a big deal. And from the outside, it might look like these broken shingles aren’t actually leaving your roof exposed.

However, even very minor damage can let water in. Unfortunately, because a broken shingle can be tough to spot, this damage may go unnoticed for days, weeks, or even years, leaving your roof exposed to further damage.

4. Curled Shingles

While storms and wind can damage shingles or dislodge them from your roof, curled shingles have an entirely different culprit.

“Curled shingles” refers to when the edges of a shingle may become bent around the edges, or the entire shingle may appear warped.

One cause of curled shingles is when an attic doesn’t have enough ventilation. Without proper ventilation, a hot summer will turn your attic into an oven. Moisture and heat will bake your roof, causing shingles to curl, dry out, and break off.

A cold winter can also lead to curled shingles. Specifically, a sharp drop in temperature can cause your shingles to curl.

Shingles that have been poorly installed, or installed directly over the old shingles, may not be properly sealed, and over time may begin to curl around the edges as the seal comes loose.

While curled shingles can be individually replaced, this won’t fix the root of the problem. Instead, you’ll likely need to have your roof replaced to stop the curling.

5. Holes

If a tree branch lands on your roof or a wind storm tears away a section, a large hole will be an obvious sign of damage.

But holes in your roof aren’t always so obvious. Because they can occur under shingles or around the edges of your roof, they aren’t always easy to see. And even a very small hole can cause extensive damage.

Depending on where the hole is located, water could leak into the interior of your home’s walls, so you won’t notice any damage on the inside of your home right away.

6. Leaks

Few signs of a leaking roof are as easy to spot as a leak in your ceiling.

Water dripping from your roof, whether as a slow drip or steady stream, almost always means that your roof has a leak. Unfortunately, this often indicates severe damage to your roof, which will need to be quickly replaced to prevent even more destruction inside your home.

7. Water Spots on Interior Walls

If a water leak starts somewhere other than the middle of a room, you might wind up with water spots instead of dripping water.

Dark brown stains or patches on the walls of your home often indicates that you have leak running down the inside of your walls from your roof.

8. Sagging

Before water starts leaking from your ceilings, it may collect above it. Soaking into the wood or pooling in your attic, this may cause your ceilings to sag, which is another sign of a leak.

Alternatively, if your roof has water damage or structural damage, it may sag on the outside as well.

9. Rising Energy Bills

Your roof does more than just keep the elements out of your home; it also helps keep cool air inside in the summer and warm air in the winter.

If you notice that your energy bills are creeping up month after month while nothing else has changed, you could have roof damage.

Damaged shingles won’t properly seal your roof, so you may lose heat or cool air more quickly than you did before. Your air conditioner or heater will have to work overtime, causing your bills to go up.

Spotting the Signs of Roof Damage

If you’ve spotted one of these signs of roof damage, it’s important to get your roof repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could be dealing with thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the rest of your home.

Whether your roof is in need of replacement or a simple repair, contact us today for a free quote on all of your roofing needs.