HUD Articles
Be Alert to Early Signs of a Roof Leak
August 17, 2022
If you check your roof's condition at least annually, you should be able to plan for necessary repairs. Early signs of trouble include:
Dark areas on ceilings
Peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs
Damp spots alongside fireplaces
Water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace
From the outside, you can assess your roof's health by viewing it through binoculars. Warning signs include:
Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing
Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering
Worn areas around chimneys, pipes, and skylights
If you find piles of grit from asphalt roof tiles in the gutters, that's a bad sign. The granules shield the roof from the sun's damaging ultraviolet rays. Black algae stains are just cosmetic, but masses of moss and lichen could signal decay underneath the roof.
