Houses must be maintained, and the roof is one of the most significant failure points for any house. If your roof fails, your entire house will be in big trouble in short order. To protect your roof, you need to make routine inspections that include checking your attic for clues to your roof’s condition.

Signs of a Leak

One of the biggest problems you can detect in an attic is a leak. A leak can do extensive and extremely expensive damage to your entire home. It can cause wood to rot and create significant structural issues for your house. It can also lead to the growth of black mold, which can make your home too dangerous to live in. Thankfully, there are signs you can check for in your attic to detect a possible leak in your roof. These include:

• Damp air
• Damp or shrinking insulation
• Dripping water
• Peeling paint or wallpaper
• Puddles
• Warped decking
• Water stains

The Dangers of Ice Dams

One of the most dangerous things that can happen to your roof is the formation of an ice dam during the winter. Ice dams occur when a ridge of ice forms on the edge of a roof. They are a serious problem because they don’t allow water resulting from thawing ice and snow on your roof to drain away safely through your gutter and downspout system. Instead, this water often ends up inside the house, where it can cause extensive damage, including structural instability and mold growth.

Thankfully, there are signs you can look for to determine if the formation of an ice dam is possible. These include:

• Attic hatch not sealed
• Ceiling plane not sealed
• Draftiness
• Lack of insulation
• Lack of roof ventilation
• Leaks
• Moisture stains
• Puddles

Alterations to the attic, such as installing new insulation, may help prevent ice dams. However, you may also need to fix the roof itself. This could include installing new gutters, downspouts, flashing, ridge vents, and more.

Repairing a Damaged Roof

Unfortunately, it’s often too late to prevent roof damage. If you have detected signs in your attic and elsewhere that your roof is leaking, could produce ice dams, or is otherwise damaged, you need to take immediate action by hiring professionals to make the appropriate repairs. They could include:

• Installing new shingles
• Repairing flashing
• Repairing leaks
• Replacing fascia

The roof repairs you need may be even more extensive than the ones listed, but our roofing professionals can help. With years of experience and many satisfied customers, we can do whatever is necessary to protect your roof and home.

Call our team at Washita Roofing & Construction today if you need roofing services, including roof repair and shingle replacement, in Norman, OK.