Clues a Roof Needs Immediate Attention This Spring Season

Your roof may have taken more damage after a long winter in Alpha, NJ than you realize. Cold temperatures, ice, and heavy snow can wear down shingles, while winter storms bring sleet, freezing rain, and strong winds that leave behind hidden problems. As spring arrives, it’s essential to check for signs of trouble before minor damage turns into costly repairs. Here are some key indicators that your roof needs immediate attention this season.

Missing or Damaged Shingles

Perhaps the most obvious sign that your roof needs some attention is missing or damaged shingles. Shingles can be ripped off or damaged by severe winds and weather, but missing ones can also indicate underlying issues.

One potential underlying problem is rotting roof decking. Roofers fasten shingles to the decking with roofing nails, which have large, flat heads to keep them secure. However, even moderately strong winter winds can easily tear the nails out if the wood beneath the shingles has started to rot. This will lead to loose or missing shingles. In such cases, the solution typically involves removing and replacing the affected decking and shingles to repair your roof.

Alternatively, ventilation issues during frigid weather can cause damage to shingles. When your attic is not properly ventilated, warm air from inside your home can become trapped in the attic, causing snow on the roof to melt. The resulting meltwater can refreeze at the roof’s edge, forming ice dams that prevent proper water drainage. As the water backs up under the shingles, it can lead to shingle warping, curling, and loosening.

In addition to replacing the missing and damaged shingles, you should ask your roofer to inspect and address any ventilation issues in your attic. Proper attic ventilation helps regulate this space’s temperature and moisture levels year-round. This project typically involves installing or adjusting vents to ensure adequate air circulation. Proper air circulation can help prevent shingles from overheating in the summer and stop ice dams from forming in winter.

The Roof Is Sagging

Another key clue that your roof needs to be repaired quickly is the presence of sagging. As with missing shingles, you’ll likely be able to notice that the roof is sagging without any need to call a professional.

Homeowners can spot sagging by looking for dips or uneven areas along the roofline from the ground. Inside the home, look for signs like bowed ceilings or warped beams in the attic. A less obvious sign is sticking doors and windows. When a roof sags, it puts uneven pressure on the walls and framing, causing them to shift out of alignment. This movement can slightly warp door and window frames, making them difficult to open or close properly. Call a professional as soon as you notice sagging, as even small shifts in the roof’s structure can eventually lead to more serious damage or a collapse if left unaddressed.

The Roof Has a Leak

A roof leak is one of the most common issues that can arise after winter. Even if you don’t notice water dripping from the ceiling or walls, it’s still possible that water has entered your home. This is because water can travel along beams, walls, and insulation, often spreading far from where it penetrated your roof.

Other times, water only begins to drip once ice buildup on your roof melts or there is a heavy rainstorm. However, you may notice stains on your walls or ceilings. These stains may be large, dark patches but can also be small and hard to notice unless you’re looking for them.

Another subtle sign of a roof leak is peeling or discolored paint on the wood trim along your ceilings or the top of your door frames. This typically happens when moisture from a leak gets trapped behind the paint, causing it to lift or discolor. If you notice areas where the paint is flaking, it may indicate that water has been seeping in for an extended time period. This can signal a persistent leak that needs attention to prevent further damage to your home’s structure.

A musty smell emanating from the top of your house can also indicate hidden leaks. Inspect the insulation in your attic. If it’s damp and has small black spots, you may be dealing with mildew growth caused by water infiltrating your home. This type of damage may require replacing your attic’s insulation because it loses its effectiveness once wet.

Damp insulation no longer provides a good thermal barrier, which can lead to higher energy bills and temperature fluctuations in your home. Additionally, persistent moisture creates the perfect environment for mold growth, which can spread and impact indoor air quality. If the insulation remains wet for too long, it may also contribute to rot in the surrounding wood, leading to further damage over time.

Have Your Roof Inspected Annually

While DIY inspections can help homeowners spot obvious roof issues like leaks, sagging, or visible damage, you may not catch all the underlying problems that can compromise your roof’s integrity. Many roof-related issues are challenging to spot with an untrained eye.

A professional roofing services team has the experience and tools necessary to look beyond surface-level damage and identify more subtle issues that might be overlooked during your spring inspection. One of the first things a professional will examine is the flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents. Flashing is a critical part of your roof’s defense against water intrusion, as it creates a waterproof seal around these areas. Winter storms can bend or loosen flashing, allowing water to seep into vulnerable points on your roof. A roofer will check for rust, gaps, or any other signs that the flashing is no longer creating a proper seal.

Another important check a professional will perform is examining the condition of the underlayment, the layer of material beneath your shingles that provides an additional barrier against water. To accomplish this task, a roofer will carefully lift a few shingles in strategic locations on your roof with a flat pry bar. Over time, the underlayment can become damaged or worn down from weather exposure, which may not be immediately visible from the surface. Roofers can access this layer to assess whether it still provides adequate protection or needs to be replaced.

Additionally, a roofer will check the structural integrity of the roof’s support system. This includes examining the trusses, rafters, and decking to ensure they are sturdy and free from rot or damage caused by moisture. These components can weaken over time without visible signs of damage, but a professional roofer has the knowledge to spot issues that could lead to long-term structural problems.

Contact Your Local Professionals

At Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding, we have been serving the residents of Alpha, NJ and the surrounding areas since 1973. We install, repair, and maintain roofs. You can also count on us for a thorough roof inspection and all your gutter or siding needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced roofers.