Water damage is common in roofs. Due to receiving rain or snow, roofs get damaged if the material of the roof is not that good to resist moisture damage. Also old and worn out roofing material gives in a way to moisture absorption into the structure. This brings on water damage.
The commonly found early signs of water damage in roofs
Damages can be sensed by simply viewing and smelling. The sense of sight and smell and also sometimes the feeling on skin tells you that you havae water damaged part in your house or building. There are some signs to look for to know the early signs of water damage in roofs. Look for the following:
Spots of water on the ceiling
You may spot a part of the roof showing leaky spots or damp spots. The spot may form due to the wall or ceiling paint at that part getting spoilt by water. The paint may look patchy, damp, forming air pockets, etc. at that part, which indicates that it’s the action of slowly seeping in moisture. And where is this moisture coming from? Obviously from the roof which is giving in a way to water. Small leaks and large leaks both may be there. There may be one point of a leak or multiple points. And a small leak often is hard to find. That’s because the point of leak you see migrates from the original leak or crack on the roof. It’s the work of the roof inspector to find it out by inspecting the whole roof and that part. Hence, if you see spots on the roof which suggest moisture absorption there, do not ignore it as a probable roof damage indication.
Shingle granules shedding off
If you see the shingles losing their granules a lot, then it’s a clear indication of wearing out of shingles which happens due to water damage. When shingles wear off due to precipitation, then granules from the shingles fall off. And when granules fall off, the shingles look bald and smooth at spots or patches. If you find this state of the roof at one or more parts, do call for a roofing expert, who is the best to tell if this is due to bad quality shingles or water damage. Often some shingles are covered by warranty from the manufacturer. If so, and your new shingles are dropping granules, then you may contact the maker. Else look for the consultation of the roofing expert and see if you are suggested patch repairs for the affected shingles or what.
Blistered cracked shingles
Blistered, faded, cracked and dull looking shingles only indicate aesthetic damage brought by harmful and harsh sun rays. But this damage also bringsin water damage which you should understand. When harsh UV rays from sun daily fall on shingles, then some shingles of particular materials, quality, thickness, etc. shows early signs of damage. The UV rays damage the shingles internally and make then crack from inside and outside both, thereby reducing their structural strength along with their color, shine, and glamour. Such sun blistered shingles which may have cracks on the outside and inside will let water seep in. And the seeped in water droplets will slowly affect the construction, the ceiling, and also bring on signs and feelings of water damage. Hence, when you see the crack and blistered shingles, do not just think of the aesthetic appeal going away, but also realize it’s about forthcoming or ongoing water damage too.
Deck damage due to water
If you have a deck on the roof made of timber, then soft and spongy timber indicates water damage. When water stands on the wooden deck after a rain shower, then a long-standing pool of water can rot the wood over time. As a result, the whole or part of the deck can turn soft and spongy. This state of the wood is highly unreliable. The wood may break badly under pressure. You must not walk on sucha deck, and also must not put pressure of any deck or patio furniture over it. Rather, you must get the part of the roof under that softwood portion inspected for any water damage. The deck would be the first barrier to water. If it rots, thenmoisture will seep through and reach the ceiling part underneath. Hence, you would need experts to see if there is any roof damage in construction. Accordingly, the roof material, as well as the wooden part, will have to be removed and repaired in patches.
Water spots on exterior walls
If you see water spots on the exterior walls of your building. This indicates a special type of problem. It’s a problem with the step flashing, which is that part of the building where the roof meets the exterior walls upper parts. This part demands tricky repairs. If this part of the roof gets damaged, then water will seep in and create wet spots. This happens due to the aging of the roof, sun damage, etc., which causes the step flashing to get loose or rust. Only services from a reputed company for roof repair St Louis Alignment can be trusted for such complicated, tricky repairs.
Why roofs get damaged?
Roofs get damaged for main weather. It’s the weather against which roofs protect you by defending from natural elements. And it’s that weather which inflicts damage to the roof over a prolonged period to damage it in whole or parts. Sun damage and water damage are connected somehow because one brings in another. People often ignore these early signs of water damage, and continue to use the roof until a part of the roof sheds off, breaks, or starts showing molds and moss growth and gives off a bad smell, which are even more serious than the early signs of damage.
Finally
If you find out any of these early signs of water damage in your roof, then do not waste time, and always get a consultation of a roofing expert. Small problems in early stages can be repaired at a much affordable cost compared to what you will spend later when the problems get too big.
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