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A roof on a Tampa Bay area home takes a beating year round. This is why it is essential for Florida homeowners to pay attention to the sneaky signs of potential roof damage. Having these signs and symptoms of roof damage inspected right away could save you hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars.
PAY ATTENTION TO THE INDICATORS OF ROOF PROBLEMS
There are many indicators that a roof is in need of repair. Several of these you might not even associate with your roof, but they are related. If you notice any of the items listed below, you should call for a roof estimate right away.
1. RISING ELECTRIC BILL
In southwest Florida, the air conditioning is running nearly year round. Have you noticed a steady rise in your electric bill that is not due to an increase in rate? If so, and your HVAC system is in good shape, then you may be losing cool air through the roof. A roof estimate will identify if the age the roof, poor workmanship, storm damage, or even wildlife are the root cause of your rising electric bill. Then, you can discuss appropriate steps for repair or replacement of the roof.
2. LIGHT IN THE ATTIC, DAMAGE TO THE ROOF
If you don’t check your attic often, you might want to rethink taking a peek up there once in a while. In general, an attic should be dark and cool (well, as cool as can be in Florida!) If there is light entering the attic, then there it is likely you have gaps in the roof. Where those gaps are and what repair needs to be made can be determined by investing in a roof estimate.
3. FURRY “GUESTS” LIVING IN THE ATTIC
Do you hear the pitter-patter of small feet in your walls or ceiling? Don’t assume those sounds are coming from outside your home. There may be animals living inside your home. Rats, squirrels, birds, and even raccoons can find their way through openings or damaged areas of a roof. If you have furry guests living in your attic, call the exterminator and call Legend Roofing to make sure your roof is properly repaired to prevent unwanted critters from getting back inside your home.
4. GARDENS SHOULD NOT GROW ON YOUR ROOF
Your roof should not be growing a garden…of moss, fungi, or mold. At the first sign of green, black, or any other color of growth on the roof, call a roofing professional to assess the cause and identify options for remediation. Typically, the cause is trapped moisture between or under the shingles. Mold not only grows quickly, it can penetrate to the interior of your home and can present health hazards to your family members. Mold on a roof is not to be ignored.
5. PAINT BLISTERS OR PEELING PAINT
Is the paint on your ceiling or walls peeling or blistering? If so, your roof may have moisture build-up. Not only does that moisture cause unsightly damage inside the home, it also deteriorates roofing material, making your home more at risk for damage and other costly problems.
6. SAGGING ROOF
Do you notice dips in the surface of your roof? That is sagging, which means the deck material your roof is constructed from are losing their durability. Every roof is engineered to support a specific weight; once that weight threshold is crossed, the roof begins to sag. A common cause is water, but cheap materials, age, poor quality craftsmanship also contribute to sag. This puts your roof at risk for caving in and causing damage to the interior of the home as well as the people inside it. If roof sag is identified early enough, you may be able to repair, rather than replace the roof.
7. SHINGLES ARE CURLING, LIFTING, OR CRACKED
Before shingles crack, they curl and lift from the underlying roof material. At the first sight of curling/lifting, contact a roofing professional so the case of the problem can be assessed and remediated before it spreads across the entire roof.
8. STAINS ON THE INTERIOR HOUSE WALLS
Ah, the tell-tale sign of a leaky roof is the rust-colored water stain. The thing about water, though, is it can be coming in from anywhere on the roof, not necessarily the place directly above or adjacent to the stain you see. You’ll need a roofer to performa a leak detection service and assess for if repair or replacement of the roof is necessary.
9. FLASHING IS MISSING
Look up at the areas where your roof vents…or, if you have a chimney for a fireplace, notice the joint where the roof and chimney meet. There should be flashing made of aluminum or galvanized steel, around that area. If you have skylights, flashing is also used around the window. Flashing keeps water from penetrating the roof and getting into the house. If you notice the flashing is cracked, broken, or missing, then you need a roof repair.
10. GUTTER TROUBLE
If your roof doesn’t have gutters, have them put on. Gutters direct water away from the roof so it cannot pool and cause problems. If you have gutters, make it part of your home maintenance routine to visual inspect them for cracks, broken sections, or missing sections. Replace the gutters as needed.
11. TILE ROOF TROUBLES
One of the most popular roofing materials for Florida homes is tile. Tile roof materials are more prone to slipping and cracking, which compromises the protective later underneath and creates an invitation for water to enter the home. Also, tile roofs are more likely to have water dam behind the first row of tile, especially if the installation wasn’t done properly. This will cause rot and will damage the roofs’ supportive structure. If you see rot around the soffit, you likely have damage around the perimeter. Lastly, if Florida gets a freeze in the weather, tile is more likely to freeze. When frozen tiles thaw, they are prone to cracking.
12. DOUBLE ROOF EQUALS DOUBLE TROUBLE
Though rare in Florida homes, it can happen where one homeowner takes the cheap road to roof repair and installs a second roof over the house’s original asphalt roof. This is a problem for many reasons, the least of which is whatever problems existed on the old roof are not fixed by putting a a new roof overtop. A single layer roof lasts longer, doesn’t add unnecessary weight to the roof, and simply looks better. If you have a double roof and you don’t know much about the original roof’s condition, contact Legend Roofing for an estimate of roof condition.
13. WAIT, THE ROOF ISN’T THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK?!
Just as often as the source of a leak is attributed to one of the causes listed above, there are just as many times when a roofer, after estimate tells you that a leak has nothing to do with the roof, itself. Instead, the leak is connected to the building systems that interact with the roof. If there’s a problem with or damage to pipes, structures, or specialized components such as those found in green roofs, you may need to look beyond the roof.
DON’T PANIC! CALL A ROOFING PROFESSIONAL
If you find a few damaged shingles or a leak, don’t try to repair it yourself. You may just be putting a bandaid on a bigger problem. If you have kept a paper trail on your roof and you know it is under 15 years of age, check the warranty to see what, if any repairs are covered. A young roof constructed of quality materials and workmanship rarely needs a full replacement. When it doubt, contact the experts at Legend Roofing for a professional roof estimate.
A PILLAR OF THE TAMPA BAY ROOFING COMMUNITY
Legend Roofing has served Hillsborough County area for over 34 years. Our company is built on family values and mission to provide excellence in service and a connection with our neighbors. Adam Stevens, our owner, is a devoted husband and father of three children. Adam followed in his father’s footsteps in the roofing industry. The experience of our team, our reputation for fair and professional service, and our commitment to the community are what make Legend Roofing shine above other roofing contractors in Hillsborough County.
Resources
This Old House: “31 of Your Toughest Roofing Questions Answered”
Today’s Homeowner:“3 common Roof Problems and What You can Do about Them”
BobVila: “7 Signs You Need a New Roof”
National Roofing Contractors Association
Architecture Magazine:“When it Leaks, It Pours”article on water intrusion attributed to faulty architecture, posted June 06, 2011.