Having roofing services done is an investment that you make, hoping you can reap the rewards of 25+ years of life from your roof. Do you know the signs of a bad or good roof job? However, there’s always the fear of spending a lot of money on a roof repair or roof replacement only to learn the contractors you hired did a terrible job.

Nightmare!

This makes you out to be just another victim who suffers at the hand of a company’s dishonesty and lack of integrity. You don’t deserve that, and you should be able to feel confident about the work a company does for you. Even better, what if there is something you can do that will help to ensure you are receiving quality roofing services. This way, you can save yourself time and money in the long run.

There are 4 easy signs you can look for to determine whether your roofing contractors did a good job or a bad job. The best part is that you do not need to be a professional roof contractor to understand what to look for. An inexperienced, untrained eye can even notice these 4 signs of a bad or good roof job.

Want to learn more?

Keep on reading.

4 SIGNS OF A BAD ROOF INSTALLATION

1.     Non-Uniformity

A lack of uniformity in your roofing shingles is a good indicator that your roofer cuts corners to save time and/or money while doing the job, thus leaving you short on receiving the quality of work you expect. One sign of nonuniformity includes some asphalt shingles that are different in color compared to others on the same roof. This could be the result of the contractor running out of your preferred shingle choice and replacing it with whatever they had available. This is not acceptable. More should be ordered for a consistent appearance.  If you notice sagging rooflines, then that indicates either part of the roof decking or framing needs to be replaced and it wasn’t. Rooflines should be perfectly straight. The uniformity of roofing shingles is something that can be noticed simply by looking up at your roof from ground level.

2.     Damaged or Missing Shingles

Damaged or missing shingles is a common sign for a poorly done roofing job. All shingles put on your roof should be new, pristine, and in perfect condition. Old, recycled, used shingles should not be re-used onto your new roof. You shouldn’t see any cracked shingles or shingles sticking up on your roof after having your roof replaced. This is something you can easily notice from standing on the ground and looking up at your roof.

3.     Sagging Rooflines

Sagging rooflines indicates that parts of the roof framing or decking were not properly fixed. Rooflines should be perfectly straight. Your roof lines should not have a dip or curve. This is something that can easily be visibly seen after the repair.

4.     No Drip Edge Flashing

All newly installed roofs should have drip edge flashing, as this helps to prevent water from getting beneath the shingles and causing leakage, rotting, staining, mold damage, and erosion alongside the foundation of a house. Drip edge flashing is a metallic sheet that gives protection to the board beneath the roof’s drip edge from water damage. You can easily notice if drip edge flashing is present by looking to see if a small overhang exists on the edge of your roof. See the illustration below.

4 SIGNS OF A GOOD ROOF INSTALLATION

1.     Even and Uniform

Your new roof job should reflect the same shingles being used from start to finish. You should see a uniform appearance in color, appearance, and should not see any sagging. This will be a clear sign that you received quality roofing services.

2.     Flashing is Used

Flashing is a metallic sheet designed to give protection to your roof from leaks. Flashing is typically used around leak-prone areas on the roofs such as around pipes or chimneys. Flashing is also used at the edge of your roof to guide water away into the gutters to be carried away from the house. Good roofers will always install plenty of metal flashing around leak-prone areas as opposed to cutting corners and not using flashing. Also, flashing used should be brand new and not old or used. You will be able to notice the difference in flashing as seen by the picture below. But some flashing will only be noticeable during the process of installation.

3.     Quality Underlayment

Quality underlayment is something that may only be noticed during the installation process. It is something worth looking out for as it signifies that you have received quality roofing services. For quality roofing, underlayment should be placed between the sheathing and the shingles of the home, as it acts as another barrier keeping your home protected from moisture or water leaks. Not just any underlayment will be used, but a high-strength synthetic underlayment will provide quality protection. Synthetic underlayment is known to be much stronger and can lay flatter than its felt-paper counterpart.

4.     Job Areas Left As Found

Any reputable roofing contractor should be leaving the job areas as clean as they found it. No quality roofer should be damaging your landscape, leaving debris and trash in your yard, or leaving trash on top of your roof. Reputable roofing companies should be leaving your yard clean and clear as they found it. Some companies even bring their own dumpster to clean up after a job. You as the customer should have no worries regarding cleanliness at the completion of a job.

What Roof Do You Want on Your Home!

These are just 4 easy signs that you will be able to observe yourself to determine whether the roofing services you received were quality or not. You can now decide with confidence if you were potentially cheated or received a return on your investment Quality roofing services can be hard to come by. Even more so, if you don’t have any type of roofing experience then it can be difficult to determine whether you were the victim of bad roofing services. If you don’t feel comfortable inspecting your own roof, feel free to contact us for free roof inspections.

Are you in need of roofing services? Be sure to get a free quote. We are known to be a reputable roofing company because we provide high-quality roofing services. We believe in covering what you value most, well!

What are the most common roof types used? The most used roofing material used in the US is asphalt roof shingles, and this is primarily because shingles are the most affordable option for most homeowners. There are many advantages to asphalt shingles including their affordability, installation, repair process, and style. At the same time, there are many disadvantages to shingles includes its vulnerability to weather damage, shorter life expectancy, lack of energy efficiency, and susceptibility to moss and mildew.

4 Advantages to Using Asphalt Roof Shingles

• Affordable: Asphalt composite shingles are one of the most affordable roofing materials available. This cost affordable option makes it easy for homeowners on a budget to obtain a new roof without needing to break the bank. Affordability plays a huge roll in the decisions we make, especially as it relates to home projects. Therefore, choosing the most cost affordable option for a roof while at the same time ensuring you receive quality roofing material to get the job done can be a tough balance to hold. Asphalt composite shingles provide both quality and affordability, helping you to achieve that balance.

• Easy-to-Install: Asphalt composite shingles are much easier to handle because they come in smaller and lighter pieces as compared to long sheets of metal or heavy pieces of slate. This helps to reduce labor cost when having a professional install your roofing. Installation also goes a lot faster when easier-to-handle material is being used. This allows you to have time in your day to do other things besides being home to make sure your roofing installation goes right.

• Easy to Replace: With asphalt roofing shingles coming in lighter and smaller pieces, they are far easier to replace. This can save you money in the long run-in case a shingle ever gets damaged. Paying for the repair of a single shingle is far more cost effective than, for example, paying for an entire sheet of metal.

• Fit Any Style: Asphalt shingles come in a variety of styles and colors that you can choose to fit your home’s style. Because of the flexibility of asphalt shingles, it can fit any unique shape of your home. Having asphalt composite shingles does not mean you have to compromise on the aesthetic appeal of your home. Asphalt composite shingles offer you the opportunity to customize the aesthetic appeal of your home by choosing a variety of colors and texture.

4 Disadvantages to Using Asphalt Roof Shingles

• Vulnerable to Wind Damage: Because of the material of asphalt composite shingles, if not installed correctly they are vulnerable to wind damage and could be ripped off your roof by high winds. Cracking and damage can also be caused by large hail and/or extreme heat or cold weather. It may be of value to you to schedule an inspection after a major storm just to ensure no roof damage was done. You can also visibly inspect your roof yourself for roof damage.

• Shorter Life Expectancy: Because of the material of Asphalt Composite Shingles, its overall life expectancy is 15-30 years before a replacement would be needed. Given that most mortgages are either a 15-year or 30-year mortgage, this runs parallel to the expected life expectancy of an asphalt composite roof allowing you to enjoy the full benefit of your roofing materials.

• Not Energy Efficient: Asphalt composite shingles is not as energy efficient as compared to metal roofing. Although, you will get some energy efficiency with brand new shingles, it is not known for being energy efficient.

• Mold & Mildew Issue: If you live in a home that is covered in shade, then your roof could be susceptible to mold and mildew. Asphalt composite shingles can absorb moisture more easily compared to other environments, which can lead to a buildup of mold and mildew especially if there is not enough direct sunlight to dry up the moisture that can sit on your roof shingle.

Overall, asphalt composite shingles make a great option for affordability, style, and installation. If you are looking for a cost affordable option, then Elmer’s Roofing is for you! Want to learn more about roofing, check out our blogs covering a variety of topics as it relates to roofing so that you are informed about your roof as well.

Now that you’ve read this blog. Are you in the market for a new roof or have a roof repair needing fixed? Check out Elmer’s roofing for a free roofing consultation to see what we can do for you!

As a homeowner, your roof is one of the essential parts of your home. It protects you and your family from the elements, regulates indoor temperatures, and adds value to your property. But like most other things in your house, even a good-quality roof will wear out. Whether you love DIY projects or work with our professional team, this blog will answer some of the biggest questions about asphalt roofs.

Your roof’s lifespan depends on the effort you put into maintaining your roof. Knowing how long does an asphalt roof last will help you determine if you need a new roof. If you think your roof is nearing the end of its life, use these tips to determine if it’s time for a roof replacement.

Reasons Your Asphalt Roof Will Need Replacement

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is, “How long do asphalt roofs last?” This is not an easy question as several factors play into the answer, including materials used, installation method, climate, and how well the roof is maintained. 

Quality Of The Materials

The quality of the materials used on your roof directly affects how long your roof will last. Cheaper shingles use cheaper organic materials that will not last very long. Organic shingles can degrade and begin to break down in as little as 10 years, while high-quality shingles can last up to 30 years or more. The asphalt layer’s thickness will also affect how long the shingles last. The thicker the layer of asphalt, the better protection your shingles will have against the elements.

Installation Method

The installation method used for your asphalt roof will impact its lifespan. Shingles that need to be installed correctly are more likely to suffer from wind damage or leaks, which will cause them to fail prematurely. Here at Elmers Roofing, our roofing experts are the best of the best, and we can guarantee the job will be done correctly.

Aged Over 20 Years

Asphalt shingles are made up of base materials, such as fiberglass or felt, coated with a layer of asphalt and topped with granules. The shingles’ quality will significantly affect how long they will last. Asphalt shingles have a lifespan of 20-30 years; after this time, they will start to wear out due to natural aging. Over time being exposed to the weather cycle of sun, rain, and temperature change, they can become brittle and lose their protective properties.

Is Your Roof Leaking?

If you have water leaks from the ceiling inside your home, that is a strong indicator that your shingles are compromised by water damage. Have a professional examine your roof soon to prevent further damage from happening.

Sagging Ceiling

If your ceiling is sagging, you may be having significant roofing damage. A leaky roof lets water seep into your insulation, causing your ceiling to sag. Sagging ceilings can also indicate sitting water or snow on the roof that has compromised the integrity of your shingles, which may be close to causing your roof to cave in. Call a professional to look at it immediately. If you don’t act soon, your roof is susceptible to a cave-in from too much water.

What Is Your Climate

Your climate can affect how long your asphalt roof will last. If your home is exposed to harsh winds, heavy rain, or high temperatures, you may need to replace your roof faster than if you live in a temperate climate. In addition, the orientation of your roof can also affect its lifespan. Roofs facing south or west are more likely to be exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods, which can cause shingles to degrade faster.

Visible Curling or Missing Shingles

Curling or missing shingles is an issue you can spot yourself. If you see shingles curling or missing, damage requires a roof replacement or partial repair at the least.

Here Is How To Make Your Roof Last Longer

Maintenance is a crucial factor in how long your roof will last. If you are consistent in taking care of your roof, it can help extend its life and prevent damage. Here are some tips for maintaining your roof. 

• Clean gutters consistently to prevent water buildup under your shingles, as this could cause damage. The best practice is to clean your gutter every spring and fall. 
• Trim any tree branches that could fall on your roof and cause damage in the future. 
• Ensure you inspect your roof regularly for any signs of damage, such as cracked or broken shingles. 
• Repair any damage as quickly as possible to prevent it from getting worse. 
• Have your roof inspected by a professional every few years to catch any problems early. 

Given all the factors, it is hard to judge exactly how long an asphalt roof will last. Generally, you can expect a well-maintained roof to last 15-30 years. However, so roofs may last longer or shorter depending on the factors we’ve discussed above. If you are unsure of the lifespan of your asphalt roof, call us for an inspection, and our roofing professionals can let you know if you need any repairs done. We care about our customers’ homes and will ensure you feel safe and secure with your roof.

What Will Happen If You Don’t Fix Your Asphalt Roof?

As a homeowner, you know your roof is vital to protecting your family from the elements. But you may wonder, “What are the consequences if I don’t replace my roof?” Here are the top things you can expect if you don’t get your roof replaced. 

Energy Inefficiency 

One of the most important roles of your roof is to provide insulation. If your asphalt roof is old or damaged, it won’t provide the same level of protection as a new, or repaired roof. This will lead to a significant heat loss during the winter and become too hot during the summer. As a result, you will be spending a lot of money on your heating and cooling bills.  

Decreased Curb Appeal

Your roof is the most visible component of your home exterior. If it’s old and damaged, it will detract from your home’s curb appeal. A new asphalt roof will add instant curb appeal and increase the value of your home. This will make it hard to sell your home and reduce its value. 

Structural Damage

Water damage can weaken the structure of your home, causing it to shift or even collapse in extreme cases. When your roof is damaged, it can lead to severe structural problems. This can be dangerous for you and your family. 

Heath Risks

Dealing with a leaky roof can create an environment for mold and mildew to grow. These substances can cause serious health risks, especially for people with allergies or respiratory issues. Taking care of any leaks immediately is essential to avoid these health risks. Investing in an asphalt roof repair or replacement will protect your family, home, and investment.  

What To Consider Before You Repair Your Roof

Do You Plan To Sell Your Home Within The Next 5 Years?

It is essential to take your future plans into consideration when contemplating buying a new roof. If you have settled into your dream home and your roof is 20 + years old, you may want to replace your new roof so you can focus on the important things in your life. However, if your roof is close to that 20-year mark and you plan to sell your home within the next 5 years, we strongly recommend you consider replacing your roof. Not only will this investment add curb appeal for prospective buyers, but you will also likely earn back more than you invested when you sell your home.

Professional Roofing Consultation 

You now have the information you need to decide on your next step. At Elmer’s Roofing, we realize not every roof replacement is the same, and neither are our customer’s situations. Our team at Elmers Roofing is experienced in every area of asphalt roofing, and we can help you no matter the situation you are dealing with. Contact us today for a free estimate, or check out the blogs on our website to learn about roofing and other services we offer.

Are Amish Roofers Cheaper?

You already know that when hiring a residential roofer to replace the roof on your home, you should acquire multiple roof quotes to compare pricing. If you have gone through the process, or you have started to think about it, then you may wonder, “Are Amish Roofers cheaper?” We go over this and look into why Amish Roofers are cheaper but also why that shouldn’t alarm you when you go to sign the contract.

Are Amish Roofers cheaper?

Yes, Amish Roofers are cheaper, and while different variables go into a residential roof replacement, an Amish Roofer will normally be cheaper than the average residential roofing contractor. However don’t let a lower price get confused with inferior quality. While Amish roofers are cheaper, they will provide you with a better experience and do significantly better work than the normal residential roofing contractor. Less equipment, trucks, and insurance are reasons why an Amish Roofer is cheaper.

Why Are Amish Roofers Cheaper?

Owner-Operated

Many Amish Roofing businesses are owner-operated. This is of great advantage to you and affects many aspects of the project you want to be done. If you hire an owner-operated residential roofing business, you can enjoy a significantly lower price due to less overhead. With only a few employees, this requires fewer trucks and fewer tools to complete the job.

An owner-operated business with only a few employees means less money that is spent on insurance. All of these savings get passed on to you and that is why Amish Roofers are cheaper to hire.

Hard Working

Amish Roofers were generally raised on the family farm where they were taught how to work hard from morning to dark. With many summers being spent in the fields working through the hot days without modern farm equipment, replacing your house roof on a hot day is just another day as an Amish Roofer.

With that background in mind, it is no wonder an Amish Roofer can replace your residential roof for cheaper than a lot of your normal residential roofing contractors. Being known for your ability to work hard doesn’t mean that you do quality roofing work, so while you are searching for a roofing contractor, don’t automatically fall for the Amish Roofer line. Do your research.

Well Trained

Still wondering why Amish Roofers tend to be cheaper than other residential roofing contractors?

As we mentioned earlier, many Amish grow up working on farms. This gives them a great advantage when it comes to working. Oftentimes, by the age of 15 or 16, they have built odd things around the farm and are used to working with construction tools. They have also become acquainted with the ability to problem-solve and fix different issues they encounter throughout the day. This is extremely helpful and will potentially save you a lot of money because roofers encounter different things on each roof.

Amish Roofers are easy to train and are usually well-trained because of their background on the farm. This means you are getting a better quality roof while also getting it for cheaper. Well-trained roofers mean they will be able to work more efficiently while still giving you the quality you deserve.

Why Hire an Amish Roofer

When looking for a residential roofing contractor to replace the roof of your home, it is very important that you hire a residential roofer that is known for their quality work. When you hire an Amish Roofer there is a very good chance that there are known to do quality roofing work. This doesn’t excuse you from doing your own research. Look at their Google reviews or their reviews page on their website to see what everyone else is saying about these Amish Roofers. You should also look them up on Angie’s List to see if they have a profile there.

While being known for high-quality workmanship, Amish Roofer’s are also able to do a lot of roofing projects for cheaper than most roofing contractors.

Honest Workmanship

Hiring an Amish Roofer to do your residential roof, gives you the peace of mind that you are partnering with a roofing contractor that is founded on honest workmanship. It is a part of the Amish lifestyle to operate their businesses and lives with honesty at the forefront.

For us at Elmer’s Roofing, this means that our “New Roof No Mess Guarantee” is truly a guarantee and when we say we don’t consider the job complete until you are 100% satisfied, we are committed to it.

While we do understand that in the world we live in, false promises are made by people and businesses each and every day, you need to find a business you feel you can trust. We hope that what our past customers have said about us will help you to be able to trust us as a business.

Less Hassle

When you hire an owner-operated Amish Roofer to do your residential roof, you get the opportunity to work directly with the owner of the business. This is considerably less hassle for you. When the owner of the business comes to your home to check on the job, orders the materials for the job, and communicates directly with or even works alongside his crew that puts a new roof on your home, this can save you a lot of money and hassle. After the job is completed you also will get a bill that the owner of the business compiled specifically for you and your project instead of someone that sits in the office and only knows you as a name on a paper.

So are Amish Roofers cheaper? Yes, they are but don’t sound the alarm because you get the chance to work with an honest roofing crew that cares about your home and your property. Like we have said before, do your research before you sign any contracts.

What Are The Pros Of Hiring An Amish Roofer? 

Small Crew

When you partner with an Amish roofing crew, you get a smaller crew working on your project. This means that many times, the owner or project manager is working alongside the rest of the crew. By having a small crew, you get the benefits of a dedicated team with years of experience. 

Reliable

Amish companies like ours take our commitment to our customers very seriously. When we give you a date, we promise to be there. We know that sometimes roofing companies get a bad reputation for not doing the job the whole way through. To take it a step further, we promise the reliability of our work by giving all of our clients a 7-year workmanship warranty.

Cleanliness

When an Amish roofing company comes to your home, we focus on making your property look like we were never even there—other than the new roof, of course. We make sure that we take caution with our tools and equipment to not damage your property. In addition, we take a final inspection each day to ensure that all of your property is just how we found it.

Ethical Pricing

We know that pricing is at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to pricing. Amish roofing companies prioritize offering our clients a top-quality product for a reasonable price. We always offer a price that is fair and affordable for the job. 

Can Do Attitude

Amish roofing companies have a can-do attitude. We love a good challenge and figuring out how to put the pieces together for your roof. No challenge is too great, and no job is too small.

Are There Any Cons To Hiring An Amish Roofer?

There are not really any “cons” to hiring any Amish roofing company. However, there are some differences between how the Amish community and people outside the Amish community operate. So, let’s take a look at how some of these differences may affect having a company like ours complete your roofing.  

Different Communication Style

It is commonly known that the Amish communities do not use as much technology as those outside of their community. At Elmer’s Roofing, we use a wide range of communication options to communicate directly with our clients so that you receive timely communication. On the other hand, some Amish roofing companies may not use the same communication avenues that we use. 

Different Holiday Schedule 

Amish roofing companies oftentimes observe different holidays in comparison to those outside of their community. Many times this means that they will observe holidays that they believe have significance due to their religious beliefs. This also relates to the observation of government holidays. Many times Amish companies do not observe government holidays like Memorial Day and Labor Day. This is great if you are okay with them working on that day and can lead to your project being completed sooner. 

Limited Payment Options

Some Amish Roofing companies may not have multiple payment methods. This means that your options may be limited to cash, or check. Yet, this is not true of all companies, and we suggest that you talk specifically with your Amish roofing company to see which forms of payment they are willing to accept. 

What’s the top complaint about roofers? Well, it’s not the price. It’s not even the quality of work (even though there should be more complaints about that!).

No, it’s about the mess left behind when the roofing job is done.

All too many roofers seem to forget that what they leave behind says a lot about what they put on their customer’s house.  Tar paper in bushes, nails in the yard or driveway, pieces of shingles and metal in garden beds or ponds… these all add up to an unhappy customer.  They also mean that the roofer could not possibly have been as careful as he should have been on the installation of the roof itself.  After all, if he doesn’t care about what you CAN see, how much do you think he cares about what you can’t see under the shingles.

We learned a long time ago that cleanup is every bit as important as the work we do on the roof.  We train our teams to do the best possible job installing. Naturally, we also train them to do the best possible job of clean up.

We don’t want to ever get that phone call that says a child or pet got a nail in his foot. With that in mind, we go over your property the same as we would at our own homes.

Here’s a tip for how you can find out how good a job a roofer does: Ask for references, and then ask that customer what they found in their bushes, plants, and gardens after the job was done. If you’re really serious, find out where they are about to do some work, and go by when the job is done and ask that customer the same question.  (That way the roofer is not filtering out the problem jobs.)

Sure, everyone makes a mistake once in a while. It is impossible to guarantee that every nail, every scrap of paper, and every tiny piece of metal is cleaned up, but it is possible to guarantee that in the rare event of a mistake you will get back within 24 hours and make sure it is done right.

If you already have chosen a roofer, be sure to do this: Before they leave at the end of the job, make them go around your property with you and carefully inspect every bush, every garden, and every pond for any sign of left trash. Don’t let them leave until they have taken care of everything and if you find more later, make them come back to take care of it. Many will resist coming back because that’s a costly trip, but don’t give up. It’s your yard and your safety. Make them care as much as you do.

Old man winter can become too “oh man” winter when an old or damaged roof can’t compete with the cold, wet seasonal climate. While a new roof can be a significant investment, being proactive about replacing or fixing your roof can save you from expensive home repairs due to leaks and mold, especially when paired with the cost of the roof itself.

Why are the winter months so hard on your roof you might ask? Snow and ice, that is the problem! When these heavy elements accumulate on your roof, it can lead to water leaks because of the added weight each brings with it.

How to Evaluate Your Roof

Instead of waiting for a problem to develop, evaluate the condition of your roof and replace or repair it before it gets worse than it is.

Look for cracked, broken, or curled shingles as these are warning signs of an aging roof. Be sure you are ready because we are!

When cleaning the leaves out of your gutters, watch for granular (small stones that adhere to the surface of roof shingles to protect them from weather) because they indicate a wearing roof. Clear gutters can not only prevent heavy fall debris from damaging your gutter and your roof but help reduce the formation of icicles and ice dams.

Proper insulation and ventilation in your attic can also minimize the damaging effects of winter weather.

While we provided a few of the telltale indicators above, only an expert can spot all the signs of an aging or deteriorating roof. Don’t let the winter get the best of your roof this year! 

Contact Elmer’s Roofing for a free estimate. We’ll help you evaluate the quality of your roof, identify problem areas, tell you when it should be replaced, and offer an affordable solution. We will answer your question, is my roof ready for winter?

When you plan ahead and replace or repair your roof before winter, you can avoid the headache of fixing leaks this year and for many seasons to come.

Hey friends,

Yes, it is safe to say a vast majority of us are ready to say goodbye to old man winter and hello to the spring weather. We understand that with the excitement of warmer weather and bright sunshine in the air, your roof, and its condition is the furthest thing from your mind. That is, of course, until your roof starts leaking.

As the warmer temperatures arrive, rain usually comes with it. Rain means a significant increase in the chances that your roof will leak.

During the winter, high winds and cold weather can greatly affect the integrity of your roof. Lifted shingles, broken “flashings”, and poorly sealed vents are just the beginning of how water can start to leak into your home.

The Good News – Roof leaks, if caught right away, can usually be fixed easily and at an affordable cost. They do need to be recognized and taken care of right away because you don’t need to give water much time to cause a big mess.

The Bad News – If you wait to do anything about a leak in your roof you are pretty much asking for a big mess. The water you could have to replace water-damaged wood, walls, or ceilings. Trust us, this is no fun for you or for anyone involved. It can also put quite a hurting on your wallet.

We didn’t mean to scare you or make you paranoid about your roof leaking, we just want to inform you that it is a serious problem and should not be taken lightly. If you aren’t sure about what to look for to see if your roof is leaking then you are in luck because we compiled a list below to give you the information you need to identify a leak before it gets out of hand and costs you thousands of dollars.

Here are some common roof leak signs to look for:

• Discoloration on your ceiling or walls (that’s where water has already started to soak into the ceiling material, so there’s more damage than you think) – especially watch bathrooms where special vent pipes go through the roof and can be a source of leaking
• Light fixtures that mysteriously blow out periodically (that’s where water is leaking in and causing a short – NOT GOOD!)
• Lifting shingles on the roof (we can fix them relatively easily if you catch them early)
• Sagging parts of the roof, especially along the leading edge above the gutters or in “valleys” (the places where two roof lines meet to channel water down to the gutter)
• Missing shingles (that’s an easy one)
• Metal flashing around the outside base of chimneys that is bent or pulled away from the chimney, allowing water to get behind it (this is typically caused by ice expanding outward)

If you see any of these signs, don’t wait to give us a call. Any of these can be signs of growing damage that will increase in cost to repair. Like a bad disease, catch them early and fix them, and you can save yourself a lot of heartache and money!

Enjoy your spring but keep your eyes open for potential roof problems. That way you won’t ruin your spring with expensive roof leak repairs.