Probably. Most water damage in homes that is not from a burst pipe or other appliance malfunction is from a roof leak. It’s a common misconception that a roof leak shows itself only on your ceiling or in a damp area in your attic. The truth is that a roof leak can lead to damage around your windows, floorboards, under your floors and even in your basement or crawlspace.
Signs of Water Damage
First, if you have missing shingles or misaligned shingles, you need to call your roofer. If you don’t already have a roof leak, you will very soon. As we’ve said in previous blogs, the signs that you need roof repair aren’t always that easy to spot. Sometimes the first sign you see is water damage in your home. Although many people assume that water damage will show as a stain on their ceiling, which is true, it’s not the only sign of water damage. Another common sign is bubbling or peeling paint on your ceiling or walls. You may also notice your baseboards warping or are discolored. Even warped wood floors or peeling laminate around your exterior walls can be a sign of water damage from a roof leak. Finally, a sign you can’t see if a musty smell in one part of your home. That musty smell is often from a roof leak that is above that room in the attic.
Why Water Damage Can Show Itself Almost Anywhere
Water follows the path of least resistance. If the water enters your home from your roof, that water will go wherever gravity takes it. That may mean down your wall and out around a window or door. This is because if the water isn’t stopped by framing or insulation, it keeps going. Other times the water drips from your roof into your attic insulation and then through to your ceiling. We’ve also seen roof leaks around a chimney lead to water around the fireplace. If there is enough water it will come out where it wants to, not necessarily where you think it will.
Call Cooley Roofing if You Have Water Damage
We’ll find the source of your roof leak and repair it. With our decades of experience in roof repair, we know how to find the leak and ensure that we stop further water damage to your home. If your roof leak is the result of storm damage, we’ll let you know that and provide all the information you need for your storm damage insurance claim. Call us today to schedule your roofing inspection at (336) 766-6488 or fill out our contact form and we’ll call you.
