Roof damage - it’s a very serious issue. If left unaccounted for it can cost you a lot in the long run. But what are some of the common signs you should look out for? We've broken them up into three sections to help you know what to keep an eye on throughout your home.

The roof

Discolouration

Have you spotted any discolouration on your roof? If you have, this may be a sign of developing damage - particularly with tiled roofs. Of course, discolouration may also be the result of something relatively benign, but if the discolouration is clearly occurring at a material level (e.g. the tile or metal itself has discoloured) then this could be the result of developing mould or algae, which can further damage your roof in the long run.

Dents, cracks, loose materials

While on the roof, keep an eye out for any signs of cracks or dents. Over time, even the most minor of cracks or dents can worsen and lead to more substantial damage. Also keep an eye out for loose materials or anything missing from your roof (e.g. a segment of a tile is gone). Loosened or lost tiles are a very clear sign that you need some repairs ASAP. 

Inside the home

The ceiling

Damage to your roof can sometimes manifest itself via the ceiling. Every now then, look up to see if your ceiling has any unusual marks or is sagging. When a ceiling sags, this is typically the result of water damage, often because water has managed to get in via the roof and progressively weakened the ceiling. This, in turn, is a fairly clear sign that there may be a leak in your roof that needs to be addressed.

Warping and/or dark stains

Following on from the last point, water that seeps in from the roof can also cause visible warping (as with the sagging ceiling) and stains that start out light but progressively darken as time goes on. This kind of damage typically will show up along the ceiling and walls around your home. If you notice any such damage, inspect your ceiling space and the top of your roof for cracks, missing tiles/sheets, etc.

A less considered sign

Is your home colder/hotter than usual or have your energy bills gone up?

If you answered 'yes' to the above, then it could have something to do with your roof. As the weather heats up, if you're finding your home doesn't seem to be maintaining a more consistent internal temperature as usual, then perhaps some of the insulation your roof offers has been undermined due to a crack or hole. When your roof isn't insulating as well as usual, this can then require you to rely more heavily on your air conditioner and other cooling technologies which, in turn, have to work more intensely to keep things cool.

The result? The possibility of higher energy bills. There are a lot of variables to this, however, so any presumed problems with temperature control or energy bills shouldn't be immediately tied to a problem with your roof. But it also shouldn't be entirely dismissed.