Spring is here, the snow has melted off your roof, and you may be noticing some stains on the roof shingles. While those stains are unsightly, they don’t necessarily indicate that your roof has been damaged by winter’s severe weather. It’s still a good idea to find out for sure, especially if you have an older roof, or if there have been hail and windstorms in your area in the last several months. Leaks and mold can appear months after the storm that caused the damage. A quick look around, as well as a roof inspection, can help you ensure that your roof is still holding up strong and watertight.

Be on the lookout for these top signs of roof damage:

Shingles on the ground

Now that the ground is clear of snow, you may be seeing pieces of roofing shingles or other roofing material on your grounds, in the street or possibly on your neighbor’s lawn. If shingles have become dislodged, it’s imperative to get up on the roof to assess the extent of the problem and replace those broken shingles at the very least. Otherwise, you are literally inviting water into your home to damage your drywall, ceilings, attic, insulation and more.

Stains on the roof

While definitely not always a sign of a compromised roof, discolored shingles should be investigated anyway. Sometimes the stains can be caused by moss or algae growth — which usually happens near the site of a leak. If the stain is slippery to the touch, it is most likely moss or algae. Find the leak and repair it as quickly as possible.

Water marks or sagging ceiling

Roof leaks can sometimes take a while to cause damage that is visible inside your home. By the time you notice a water mark, mold stain or ceiling damage, the roof may have been leaking for months. You will need to inspect your attic as well as the roof to identify and repair the source of the water. Also, always check your attic after severe weather as any roof damage will show up (in the form of water) there first.

Buckling or bent shingles

Any time your roof appears to have sections that are buckling, or you notice shingles that are folded or bent, you most likely have a serious problem on your hands. Not only is your roof not adequately protecting your home, but your attic most likely is not being ventilated properly, which can lead to another set of issues like mold, dry rot and more. You will probably need a new roof — the sooner, the better.

Practice ladder safety

Roof damage can be impossible to properly assess and diagnose without getting up on a ladder and inspecting the entire roof. But, not everyone should be attempting to get up on their roof by themselves. If you are not used to regularly climbing above 6 feet on an extension ladder, leave the ladder climbing to the professionals. Roofing experts are trained to spot damage in all of its forms and can perform inspections quickly and easily — saving you from back ache, injury and other hazards. For more information and to get a roofing inspection, contact Modern Remodeling today.