When should you get your roof inspected? According to Bob Vila, you should do that if your roof is more than 10 years old. That’s just one sign, though. There are plenty of others that you can miss until it’s too late and there’s a lot of expensive damage to your place. Here are five things that you should look out for before getting in touch with some roofing companies.

1. Your Shingles Are Damaged

Walk around your place and look at the roof. Are there shingles that are bent out of shape, missing, or sagging? If that’s the case, then there’s a good chance that there’s water that got in through the missing spots. It’s also possible that this leaking water is causing significant damage to your place. You don’t want to wait to call any roofing companies, since the damage could be getting compounded every time that it rains. Plus, the water that’s already inside could be causing your wood to rot or for mold to grow and weaken the structure of your home over time. Have someone come take a look. You could wind up saving a lot of money with a minor repair instead of having to get a whole new roof.

2. You Have Stained Walls or Ceilings

Are there dark spots on the walls or ceilings? That could be a sign of mold growing from a water leak. This isn’t something that happens spontaneously. When you see these things, it means that the leak has been there for a while. The leak is affecting the drywall in the room where the leak is occurring. Have a professional come by to determine what is causing the leak so that they can fix it. Otherwise, you’re looking at having to pay a lot more for extensive repairs, while also running the risk of having some health problems, like allergic reactions.

3. You Have Peeling Paint Near the Roofline

This time, you notice that the problems are with the paint on the outside. Look at your roofline. It should have a nice coat of paint on it. If there’s peeling, that means that something’s going on with the ventilation of your attic. This is a relatively mild problem to have, but you want to have a roofing contractor come take a look and fix it before it becomes a very large problem. A lot of people might not think about this particular part of the home before it’s too late. Addressing this problem is a proactive move that lets you save a good amount of money in the process.

4. You Have Recent Gutter Issues

You should pay attention to your gutters even when you aren’t cleaning them out after each season. If your gutters get clogged, then it’s possible for water to go into your attic and wreak all kinds of havoc. Should you find that the gutters have fallen off the roof, then that can also let water into the attic. If you think this is happening, have a roofing professional come take a look as soon as you can. If you’re a homeowner who lives in an area prone to rainy weather, you should prioritize having functional gutters that keep rainwater from damaging your home.

5. You Have Damage After a Severe Storm

Are you in an area that is prone to large storms, especially the torrential summer thunderstorms with heavy winds? If so, then you’re going to want to have your roof regularly looked at. Those winds can rip off tiles easier than you could imagine. If you don’t have it inspected, then you’re setting yourself up for major water damage to the roof, attic, and eventually the rest of your home. Be proactive and contact roofing companies in your area as soon as possible.

6. Cracked Drywall

These are far from the only things that you need to look out for. They just happen to be the five most common things that roofers see when they inspect your place. Another thing to keep your eyes peeled for is cracked drywall. This could be due to water getting into the roof and causing a leak, which causes moisture to get into your drywall. This isn’t something that you should DIY, though. If you don’t know what is causing the problem, you could have a wall with a hole where drywall used to be and something causing even more damage. Have a professional come inspect your place, including your roof.

7. Missing or Damaged Flashing and Nails

Another sign of roof damage is missing flashing, which is what keeps your roof watertight. If parts of the flashing are missing, then your roof is no longer watertight. You do need to have a professional come by and inspect the roof and confirm that the flashing is indeed gone. They will assess whether or not other aspects of your roof need to be repaired.

The nails on your roof can tell you quite the story about the state of your roof. Are they popped or rusted? Do you notice that there are stains around them? This usually happens if your home is in a place that has a very volatile climate, which makes the nails in your shingles pop up. This then creates space for any water to make its way into your roof and cause some leaks. Even two nails that have popped up can be an indicator that something’s wrong and that you need an inspection from a professional. Consult roofing companies around you to find a team capable of amending this issue.

8. The Current Homeowner Doesn’t Want an Inspection

A major reason to have someone inspect the roof is the “For Sale” right in front of the place that you intend to buy. You want to make sure that it’s in the best shape possible since you’re going to be spending a significant amount of money to get the place. This is especially important if you have a much older roof. If it turns out that there needs to be work done, you can either ask to have the cost of any roof repair work deducted from the price of the home or ask that the seller gets repairs done themselves. The second one depends on if you’ve already sold your home and are looking to move in fairly quickly.

As you can see, there are a lot of signs to look out for when it comes to your roof. Sadly, none of them come in the form of neon signs that flash “FIX ME!” You just need to keep your eyes open and have a good contractor on speed dial. This is nothing unusual, though, as it’s all part of owning a home. At least when you live in a co-op, your maintenance costs go toward things like fixing a roof. Consider it part of making your neighborhood look nice too. Having homes with roofs in disrepair can be an eyesore and can even drive down the price of other surrounding homes. Be a good neighbor and take care of your roof.

Are you looking for top-tier roofing companies in your area to supply you with a comprehensive roof inspection? If so, then connect with the reliable team of contractors at Billings Roofing! We’re more than happy to give you a fair price for our exceptional roofing work and answer any questions you may have for us. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today!