How To Tell If Your Shingle Roof Needs Repair

If you haven’t thought about your shingle roof in a while, or if a storm is on the way, now is a good time to check your roof for possible repair or replacement. But how can you tell if your home needs shingle roof repair?

Here are 6 ways to tell:

Visible Leaks

This is the most obvious and common sign that your shingle roof needs a repair or replacement. Normal wear-and-tear and severe weather are the main culprits of a leaky roof. If left unchecked, water can seep into the house through the shingles. Don’t ignore small leaks because those can potentially be repaired by your roofer and will save you money. If small leaks are ignored or unnoticed, they can end up becoming an expensive repair or full replacement.

Interior or Exterior Damage

After a heavy storm hits, it’s not surprising that your roof can suffer interior or exterior damage. This doesn’t always manifest itself as an obvious leak unless the shingles are missing. If you notice any stains, streaks, loose drywall, or water spots in your attic, on your ceiling, or walls then you most likely have interior water damage caused by roof damage.

Moldy Shingles

This is not so prevalent in dry climates like Arizona, however, one of the most dangerous damages to your shingle roof is mold. Left untreated, mold on shingle roofs will spread and can grow in your gutters, awnings, and eaves, eventually getting into your home. Long-term mold in the home can cause health risks. If you suspect or see mold in your attic, have your licensed roofer inspect your home.

Missing, Sun-bleached, or Cracked Shingles 

The first obvious sign of an issue with shingle roofs are missing shingles.  If the shingles are missing from your roof it is open to water intrusion and leaks inside the home.  Sun-bleaching is an issue in the Valley of the Sun.  Over time, shingles can look dingy, faded, and bleached out. In time, sun-bleached shingles can crack and break. Cracked shingles are easy to see, especially if you access your roof using a ladder or drone. Cracked shingles and missing tabs will need to be replaced.

Sagging Roofline

If you notice any dips or curves in your shingle roof, that means your roof can have water damage causing it to sag. If your shingle roof has noticeable sagging, have it inspected as soon as possible to prevent your roof from collapsing.

Thermal Shock and Dried Out Shingles

Check the perimeter of your home for small pebbles, or granules, falling off the shingles. This is a key indicator that your roof has thermal shock damage, or it has dried out. Thermal shock occurs when temperatures are extremely high and then suddenly drop. If you live in a hot and dry climate the shingles can dry out over time and lose their granules. Thermal shock and dried-out shingles cannot be prevented, so check your roof after storms or a long hot summer and call your local roofer if you notice any issues.

As you can see it’s often easy to tell if your shingle roof needs repair. Other times, the damage can be harder to spot. In both cases, if you suspect there may be an issue with your roof, you should call your local roofer to inspect your roof for damages and have them repaired right away to avoid it from getting worse.

If you live in the Valley of the Sun, Overson Roofing is your shingle roofing expert. Fill out the form below or call us at (480) 354-2564 for help with your shingle roof repair or replacement.

Read more: What Are Some Common Types of Roof Shingles?