9 Ways to Tell if Your Roof is Leaking

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. As your roof ages, it will become more prone to leaks. Having your roof checked annually is the best way to catch leaks before they cause damage. Additionally, knowing the warning signs of a leaky roof will hopefully help you catch a leak before it causes expensive water damage and even mold to your home.

We’ve earned best-in-class accolades from serving the Bixby community and surrounding areas. We’re proud that we’ve earned a reputation for honest work and fair pricing amongst Bixby homeowners. We strive to provide homeowners transparent information so they can make informed decisions when it comes to their roof. We want to help you extend the life of your roof for as long as possible. Which is why we want you to be cognizant of the red flags associated with a leaking roof.

In this article, we round up the nine most common ways to tell if your roof is leaking. If you notice one of these warning signs in your home, its important to act quickly. The longer a roof leak is left unchecked, the more damage it will cause.

The most common signs of a leaking roof

If your roof is leaking, it’s not always cause for panic. Although you’ll need to act quickly, in many cases a leaking roof can be fixed with a couple hundred dollar repair. If left unchecked, roof leaks can quickly wrack up thousands in water damage and even mold. These are the most common signs of a leak you should be on the lookout for.

1. Sagging Ceiling

Don’t ignore this one! A sagging ceiling is an advanced sign of a roof leak. These are typically due to large amounts of water that have leaked through your roof and will soon cause your ceiling to fall through in some places. Even if your roof leak is advanced, you don’t want to put it off. Water is an extremel destruction force to a home and if left unchecked, can quickly snowball into thousands of dollars in damage.

2. Ceiling Stains

If you notice a light or dark brown spot on your ceiling (especially on your top floor) its due to water intrusion. While there are other sources, it’s likely that a roof leak is causing the brown spots on your ceiling. Regardless of the cause, you’ll want to get to the root issue of these ceiling stains to avoid costly damage. Acting quickly is important to ensure these issues do not create more damage.

3. Wall Stains

4. Missing Shingles

When looking at your roof from the ground, if you notice any missing shingles (they can look like dark rectangle shaped spots) on your roof, this is an easy way for water to penetrate your home. Missing shingles expose the most base layers of your roof to the elements. This will inevitably cause your roof to leak. Checking out your roof from down below is important to ensuring your roof is in good health.

5. Icicles on your roof and gutters

This may seem like a strange way to tell if your roof is leaking – but if you notice icicles on your roof, this is due to an ice dam. Ice damming can be detrimental to your roof. An ice dam occurs when water from the top of your roof melts, but is unable to drain. The water then becomes trapped by ice on the eaves of your roof. The longer standing water is trapped on your roof, the more likely it is that your roof will leak.

6. Rusted Gutters

Gutters are a critical piece of your home’s water displacement system. If your gutters are rusted or have bubbling/peeling paint, they could be failing. If your gutters aren’t functioning properly, it can expose your home’s foundation, fascia boards and roof to water damage. If you notice rusty gutters – be sure to contact a roofer right away to inspect the functionality of your gutter system.

7. Musty Smell lingering in your home

In addition to sight, smell is another way to detect a roof leak. If you notice a musty smell in your home, but have trouble finding an obvious source, the culprit could be a leaky roof. Water leaking through your roof can cause mold and mildew growth in your attic, insulation and/or walls. Mold and mildew have a distinct musty smell. If you notice a persistent odor in your home, be sure to have your roof inspected to rule out the possibly of a roof leak.

8. Busted Pipe Boot Seal

Plumbing vents are found in every home. They penetrate the top of your roof and are covered with a protective seal called a pipe boot. Overtime time this seal can become damage, letting in water. Fixing a pipe boot seal is a fairly simple fix if caught early. We recommend annual inspections to ensure your seals are functioning properly.

9. Leaks around your skylight

Skylights are a common cause of leaks. Whether its due to a broken seal or an improperly installed skylight, if you notice any discoloration or active leaks in your skylight – contact a roofer immediately. Its important to contact a roofer if you experience issues with your skylight because a roofing company will have more experience the proper sealing of a skylight.

When can a roof be repaired vs replaced

Calling a roofer is like going to a mechanic. You’re not sure you will get an honest answer, and you fear the issue could be costly. Don’t let the fear keep you from repairing your roof. Putting off repairs will cost you more money in the long run.

Many roofing issues can be repaired and do not warrant a full replacement. If you notice a leak, acting quickly is important. Putting off or ignoring the issue can quickly cause costly damage in wood rot and even mold remediation. Catching and repairing these issues quickly helps prevent damage.

If your roof is less than 15-20 years old, and you’re just noticing a small warning sign – you are likely a good candidate for a repair. Alternatively, if your roof is over 15-20 years or if it was very badly damaged due to severe weather, a replacement may be more cost effective.

Next Steps – Fixing a Roof Leak

If you think you notice the warning signs of a leak – don’t put off getting roof inspected. The more water that penetrates through your roof, the more damage you’re risking to your roof decking, insulation, fascia boards and more. Getting your roof inspected and an estimate on repairs is free. We recommend getting your roof inspected annually – to catch any leaks before they cause costly water damage.

Native Roofing and Construction serves Bixby, Oklahoma and the surrounding areas. We are proud of the stellar reputation we’ve earned from Bixby homeowners. Whether you’ve noticed some warning signs of a leak, or if you’re due for an annual inspection – contact us today to schedule!

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