Roof Leak Signs You Should Be Aware Of

A leaking roof is one of the biggest frustrations for many homeowners. Unfortunately, many homeowners don't realize that they have a roof leak until water starts visibly leaking through their ceiling. By this time, it's been leaking for quite a while and has already done some damage. If you want to catch a roof leak as early as possible, you need to know what you should be watching for. Here's a look at some of the signs that your home has a leaky roof.

Paint Bubbling

One of the earliest signs that you have a leak in your roof is the presence of bubbled paint on walls or ceilings in your house. When water seeps beyond your roof, it will collect in areas inside your home. This causes moisture to build up in your walls and ceilings. That moisture will actually disrupt the paint's bond to the wall or ceiling, and it will stretch the paint into bubbles or other similar distorted shapes.

If you start seeing bubbling in the paint on a ceiling or wall in your home, there's a good chance that there's moisture that's causing it. You'll want to start thinking about any other signs of roof leaks and reach out to a roofing contractor as soon as possible to minimize or prevent structural damage.

Musty Smells

One of the biggest telltale signs of moisture issues and roof leaks is a musty odor that develops in your house. Usually, that odor will start wherever the moisture is most prevalent, and will then spread. Pay attention to where you first notice a musty or moldy smell in your house, because that's likely the primary area where water is getting in.

If you notice a musty odor, it's important that you respond right away. The longer you allow water damage to remain untreated, the greater structural issues you'll risk as well as the potential for health-related concerns from the presence of mold.

Visible Discolorations

When water seeps into your home through your roof, the areas that become wet will be left with water stains each time they dry. The larger the water stain, the worse the problem. You may start to notice brownish or yellow discolorations on your ceiling or walls if your roof is leaking. This is a sign that your roof is allowing moisture to reach your home's interior.

If you're seeing any of these signs, it's important that you reach out to a roofing contractor right away. You can even minimize your chances of experiencing a roof leak by having your roof inspected and maintained each year. Talk with a roofing contractor today for more help.