How can you tell something is wrong with your roof? The reality is that, for the most part, roofing issues don’t appear when they’re relatively minor. It’s only the damage caused by roof damage that is going to grab your attention and make you take notice — the small stain appearing on the ceiling, the extra breeze when you head upstairs — and by this point, the damage is already done.
But knowing the signs so you can catch issues early can save you a lot in repair costs and help you get your roof back in top condition to deliver the support and protection you need it to.
Let’s take a look at some signs your roof has sustained damage.
Tiles Look Wrong
You might not always notice a missing tile, especially if it’s not in a clear line of sight, but you might notice those around a missing one looking slightly off. Because damage doesn’t just affect one tile alone, there will also be visible signs around the problem area.
So have a quick glance upwards once in a while and look for anything that doesn’t seem “normal” — missing tiles, wonky tiles, something lifting or just not looking right. These could be signs that you need your roof checked for more serious damage.
The Roofline Isn’t Flat
Your roof should sit straight and confident. If the ridge bows, dips or looks tired in the middle, something underneath has shifted. It could be rotten timbers, trapped moisture weighing things down — even subtle sagging tells you structural support needs a second look.
Tap the ceiling edges upstairs — hollow sounds plus slight cracking near coving can mean the roof weight isn’t being held evenly anymore. This is when you need to get someone in to check the structure.
Gutters Are Full
And not just of leaves and debris, but the roof. Your gutters are there to catch rainfall, but if your roof is falling apart, it will catch roofing materials too. If you’re noticing blocked gutters, get them cleaned to identify what is blocking them. If it’s part of your roof or signs of roof materials disintegrating, you need some roofing repairs or a replacement carried out.
Stains Inside
Water is sneaky. It travels along beams until it finds the lowest, weakest point. So you might see a stain on the hall while the breach is in the bathroom or vice versa. Chinments, flashing and valleys are usually the real culprits.
If your ceiling starts bubbling, or there’s a damp shadow by a light fitting, that’s moisture arriving, and that will be present before any dripping starts. This is your sign to find out where the problem is and get it rectified before your roof adds a lovely water feature inside your home.
When your roof is failing or has sustained damage, it will give out small warning signs. Knowing what to look for and what these signs could be can help you understand what is going on, so you can get the right people in to sort things out and get your roof back to doing what it needs to — protecting your home.
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