There are a few warning signs to look out for with your roof. It’s not always obvious when something is wrong, the issue may develop gradually or the real cause may actually be far away from where you see the problem.

 If you spot these 5 things, your roof is definitely trying to tell you something.

1. Water marks on your ceiling

You’ll usually find watermarks in the corners of ceilings, with dark or yellowing patches of paint. They can be hard to spot at first as they usually spread gradually over time. 

The issue with watermarks on your ceilings is that it means you have a leak somewhere in your roof.

Once you spot the watermark, finding the leak causing it presents another problem. Water can trickle down and pool in areas a long way from the actual leak, so it’s a good idea to get a roofing professional to locate the leak and fix it quickly before it causes more damage.

2. Water marks down exterior walls

Again, watermarks indicate a roof leak somewhere. When they’re on exterior walls, it might be easier to spot the source. Things like dripping air conditioning units, clogged drains or gutters, and issues with tiles or shingles can lead to water leaks and damage to the surrounding area.

As soon as you notice the watermarks, try to locate the source. If it’s not an easy fix, then you should enlist a professional to fix the issue. It’s much safer and will save you time and peace of mind.

3. There are dark stains on your roof 

Whether it’s metal, concrete, terracotta, or shingle roofing, if there are dark or discoloured patches emerging, it could mean you have an algae problem.

It might not seem like a big roof issue now, but algae and other things growing on your roof can lead to the degradation of your roofing material and potentially lead to bigger problems and leaks in the future.

4. Shingles are cupping

When shingles start to cup (the corners turn up or the shingles start to look wavy) it could mean that there is a ventilation issue in your attic or the shingles are becoming old.

If your attic doesn’t have enough ventilation, it can get too hot and heat up the underside of the shingles, causing them to warp. Finding out if this is the issue (or if they’re just aging and deteriorating) can be hard.

If you’re unsure, call in a roofing professional to assess the roof shingles and the attic ventilation.

5. Water is pooling on your roof 

If you notice areas of water pooling on your roof, it could mean many things, such as crushed insulation causing low spots, major structural problems, improperly installed drains or gutters, or improperly installed skylights.

Pooling water can be detrimental to your roof, it can cause issues to the roofing material, the structural integrity of your roof, and be prime breeding grounds for mosquitos (which is an issue leading into summer).

If you notice pooling water on your roof, it’s a sign that there could be a bigger issue. Call in a roofer to take a closer look at the problem.