My Roof Is Leaking: What Should I Do?
When A Leaky Roof Becomes A Problem,
Calling A Roofing Contractor Is A MUST.
A leaky roof in your Houston area home is not something to put off. Even one small leak can create a massive disaster within your home.
Ten obvious signs point to your home having a leaky roof. Here is what you need to know to clarify if your roof is leaking and in need of a roofing contractor:
1. Discoloration On The Ceiling
Before you start to see water actually pouring from your ceiling, discoloration on the ceiling will be seen. The ceiling actually absorbs the water before you see the leak. This discoloration is often a brown or yellowish color and often appears in a circle.
2. Damage To Drywall
As water leaks through the roof, the drywall in the home will become damaged. You can spot this damage by looking at the seams between the ceiling and the wall. If there seems to be cracking and even flaking of the drywall, water damage is to blame!
3. Mold And Mildew Growth
When you start to see mold and mildew, then this automatically points to water somehow getting into the home. In many cases, you may not notice the mold and mildew until this has taken up a portion of the corners of a room. However, also remember that you can smell mildew in many rooms, so use both sight and smell to diagnose this.
4. Odd Noises From The Roof
If the wind picks up, do you ever hear a noise like something falling and hitting the roof? Unfortunately for many people, this is their first warning sign that their roof is damaged as this sound is shingles being blown up and falling down.
5. Higher Energy Bills
While higher energy bills are not always due to a leaky roof, they can be one of the effects of a leaky roof. Energy bills tend to increase when the roof is not functioning properly. It is allowing moisture and heat/cold to seep into the home, making your Houston AC/HVAC work harder.
6. Damaged Flashing
The flashing is what is seen around the exhaust pipes and chimneys of your home. When flashing is damaged, this can lead to a leaky roof that you may not notice until tons of damage has happened. The flashing is often a forgotten element of the roofing system, but it can be damaged as easily as a roof.
7. Missing Shingles
If you were to walk into your yard and find shingles that have blown off your roof, then it is time to call a roofing contractor! Missing shingles are going to allow water to easily penetrate the roof and leak into your home.
8. Roof Is Sagging Or Uneven
When you look at your roof, does it look uneven in spots or even as if it is sagging down into the home? These are sure signs that you are in need of roof repair and could be how water is entering your home.
9. Obvious Water Coming Into House
This is the most obvious sign that you have a leaky roof: if you find yourself having to use bowls or buckets to catch water in your home when it rains, you have an emergency on your hands. In situations like this, the leak has caused more damage than what you know, including water stains, mold/mildew, wood rot, and much more.
10. Algae On Roof
Another possible issue is algae on your roof. However, with the humidity in the Houston, TX area, this is not always a sign that your roof is leaking. Algae can occur when moisture is getting locked within the roof, causing this growth.
What Happens If You Do Not Fix A Leaky Roof?
When you allow a leak to remain and not get fixed, you are setting yourself up for some major roof repairs in the future. Just what type of damage can a leaky roof cause to your home?
- Drywall can become wet and start to crack throughout your home
- Wallpaper or paint on walls will start to bubble and peel
- Wood beams in the home could become saturated and start to rot, resulting in structural instability in the home
- Large leaks can make the entire roof cave in if left unrepaired
- Mildew and mold can build up in the home, leading to respiratory illnesses of those who live here
Options To Fix A Leaky Roof
When there are signs of a roof leak, it is time to call a roofing contractor for your options. If you continue to let this leak rule your home, the damage is going to become more severe on the interior of your home. What options do you have to stop a leak in your roof?
There are really only two options you have: roof repair or roof replacement. A repair is often the best choice if there is only one small area that is giving you trouble. However, if the leaks are throughout your roof, then a replacement is a better option.
Here in Houston, TX, we are ready to handle whatever roofing issue you may have with years of experience, and free estimates. We will come to your home and inspect your roof to determine what the issue may be, while taking you through your options to fix this.