- Wind Damage
Wind may damage the shingles by pulling them off or lifting the edge enough to break the seal between the shingles. Both issues will allow water to enter the attic area and may travel through to the sheetrock.
- Hail Damage
When Hail hits your shingles, it damages the granules on the shingles. The purpose of the granules is to reflect the sun’s rays. Once hail has damaged the granules, most manufacturer warranties are void. Over time, the asphalt holding the granules in place will deteriorate leaving just the fiberglass mat, which will not protect against a leak.
- Interior Stain on Ceiling or Walls
The ceiling and interior walls may show signs of a leak in the form of a stain or deteriorated sheet rock. The stains will show as a discoloration on the ceiling or walls. Deteriorated sheetrock will show the paint coming loose and the sheetrock will be soft.
- Water Marks on the Decking / Framing
The decking is the wood under the shingles. If you can safely move through your attic with a good flashlight, you may see dark areas on the decking and on the framing. Sections of the decking may need replacing depending on the severity and duration of the leak. Typically, the framing will not require replacement.
- Damage from Wildlife
Various animals will cause damage to the shingles and components by gnawing and scratching on them trying to gain access to your attic. Should you hear the pitty-patter of little feet running across your ceiling, call a roofing company and have them inspect for any damages.
- Missing Shingles
Shingles overlap one another. Missing or torn shingles will expose the nails in the shingle below the one that is damaged. Without the overlapping shingle, water may easily move past the nail and into the attic. Addressing the missing shingles would prevent further damage.
- Excessive Granular Loss
Excessive granular loss is typically a sign of poor attic ventilation. Due to improper attic ventilation, the shingles heat up excessively and the granules start to come loose, blow off and wash away with wind and rain. Should you see granules in your gutters, below your downspouts, or on concrete areas, have a thorough inspection of the roof and attic ventilation. The majority of homes have inadequate or improper attic ventilation.
- Age of the Roof
You may be fortunate not to have had any storm damage, however, shingles and roof components only last for a certain period. Shingles typically last between 20 to 50 years depending on the type and according to manufacturer guidelines.
- Flashings
Most leaks result from flashings (Chimneys, skylights, attic vents) and other flashing on the roof. Typically, when I see this issue, it is due to the reusing of the old flashing. The flashing is metal, once a nail goes in you have a hole in it. The homeowner may end up with a leak when a roofing company does not replace the flashing. When a company reuses the flashing and roof vents, this only saves a couple of dollars on each item. Unfortunately, these lowball companies will not include the flashing and vents on the contract; therefore, the company says that the leak is not under warranty due to those items not being replaced with the roof.
- Damage from Trees
Trimming your trees is important if they hang over your house, especially during a storm. The branches scrape off the granules, go through the entire shingle, and down to the decking. Undoubtedly, this will result in a leak.
- Deteriorated Decking
The decking will deteriorate naturally over time since it is wood. Heat and humidity will cause the deterioration to accelerate resulting in wavy areas on the roof. This goes back to improper attic ventilation. Without proper ventilation, the heat and humidity build up in the attic causing the decking to warp and become brittle to walk across. Water from a leak may cause the same effect.
- Attic Ventilation
Along with the before mentioned issues, poor ventilation will contribute to mold in the attic due to condensation. The condensation is from the AC system running and the system not being correctly sealed. The cooler air hits a surface heated by the hot attic temperatures and forms water droplets on the framing and decking as well as other components. The reverse happens in the winter. Over time, this repetitive condensation will result in mold in the attic as well as deteriorated decking. Anyone who inspects your roof should always inspect your attic and the intake and exhaust ventilation. The intake and exhaust ventilation should be a balanced system.
