7 Easy Ways to Check for Roof Damage Without Getting On It

Buckling shingles curl upwards, as if they're being pushed up from underneath. Sometimes this is caused by poor insulation, poor attic ventilation, or even improper installation.

The problem is that when shingles buckle, they pull adhesive up with them and create a vulnerable spot for driving rain to penetrate. If you spot buckling shingles, it's best to contact a roofing contractor to take a look.

If serious damage hasn't already occurred under your shingles, you may be able to solve the problem with a roof repair rather than having your entire roof replaced.

Water stains on ceilings or walls can be from a variety of causes (like plumbing leaks, attic condensation, and other issues.) That being said, one common cause is a roof leak.

Damaged shingles, missing shingles, and faulty flashing can all be culprits. Flashing is a thin sheet of metal that surrounds roof features like vents, chimneys, and skylights. If flashing is damaged, or isn't installed properly in the first place, water can creep in. (For more help with roof terms, check out this page.)

If you see water stains, check with a roofer to see if it's a one-time issue or an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.

A great way to spot roof damage is to check for leaks in your attic. Most often leaks form near vents, chimneys, skylights, cable wires, and other features on your roof, so check those areas first. After that, check your rafters for water runs and dripping.

If you can see exposed plywood on your roof from the ground, you probably already have a leak. It's best to call a licensed roofing contractor immediately to perform a thorough inspection.

Fortunately, missing shingles don't always mean that you already have a leak. Hopefully you've caught the problem early! That being said, missing shingles means that water is being allowed to go where it shouldn't. If water gets under your shingles it can cause the decking on your roof to rot - leading to much bigger problems!

If you find shingles in your yard or can see from the ground that some shingles are missing from the roof, get it handled as soon as you can. Depending on how early you've caught the problem, you may just need a small repair.

Moss may seem harmless but it can disrupt the matting between shingles, making your roof more susceptible to leaks and wood rot. If your roof has heavy moss growing, have a roofer come out.

Fortunately, if it hasn't caused other issues, moss itself can usually be cleaned off with household cleaning items. Here's a video on how to clean the moss off your roof for under $15:

Hailstones can cause punctures or tares in your shingles. But smaller, lighter hailstones usually just knock granules off the surface of the shingle.

Granules are a special substance that protect shingles from the sun's harmful UV rays and when they get knocked off, the sun begins to destroy the shingle. This causes more granules to fall off, which weakens the shingle further, and so on.

Damage to granules may not look like anything serious from the ground, but can be an expensive problem later on. That's why we recommend having your roof inspected after a hail storm, even if you don't spot any obvious damage!