​If your roof is old and you haven't inspected it within the last year, you should check it now! To avoid expensive and structural damage, follow our guide of issues to look for in your attic and roof.

Five Things To Inspect Your Attic For

Sure, it can be scary to go up in your attic, but the consequences of ignoring it are even more terrifying. Here are five things to check on: 

1. Your electrical, heating, and plumbing systems. If these systems break down or leak, your house will face adverse conditions that are not caused by your roof.
2. Your vents. If your ducts are blocked, your attic ventilation will come into contact with moisture, allowing mold and mildew to grow. Not only that, proper air flow is essential for a healthy roof.
3. Your insulation. Unfortunately, mice, bats, rats, squirrels, and other pests typically see insulation as a home.
4. Your roof sheathing. You may notice sawdust and broken parts of your sheathing in the attic right away. With broken sheathing, your roof is prone to leaks, sagging, and structural damage.
5. Signs of mold and mildew. Mold and mildew love to grow in your insulation or under a leak anywhere else in the attic. You may be able to smell or see it. It's essential to care for because mold is a health hazard to humans and pets. Mold can also be a sign that there is not enough ventilation in your roof.

Three Roofing Concerns and How To Detect Them

Additionally, here are three roofing concerns you can detect on your own:

1. A leaky roof. If you spot water running down your walls, it's a tell-tale sign.
2. Weak shingles. Check your downspout for granules. If your roof is new, this is normal. If it's old, you may need to replace your shingles.
3. Damaged flashing. Look at all areas of your flashing, and if you see any cracks, it's not providing the protection the creases in your roof need.

It doesn't cost anything to walk up to your attic and look around, but it's expensive to make significant repairs or replacements, and now you know what to look for. So, if you find issues that need repair or a closer look, call Town Corners Roofing and Exteriors at (616) 772-9700 or fill out our contact form for a FREE estimate.

Great. So, a tree branch or piece of debris punctured your roof. You should stop what you're doing and get it fixed ASAP. If you live in West Michigan, Town Corners Roofing and Exteriors will prevent further damage from occurring.

Damage Will Get Worse With Time.
Is a perforated roof an exigent situation? Yes. As time goes on, the damage will get worse, and the repair costs will go up.

When debris breaks your roof, it can expose leaks that cause interior damage, like water stains and mold. Mold and mildew are dangerous for breathing and allergies. Additionally, you may notice a draft and higher utility bills.

Fix Your Roof Immediately.
Since fixing a fractured roof is urgent, call a roofing professional immediately. If you're unsure if the damage is there, book an inspection with a roofer. They can determine the source of the puncture, so it doesn't reoccur.

Roof repair is cost-efficient because it prevents replacement fees and a spike in energy bills, and you can choose only to repair the affected area.

In the meantime, minimize foot traffic on your roof, or avoid walking on it to prevent further exterior and interior damage.

If you suspect a hole in your roof, call Town Corners Roofing and Exteriors at 616-732-9700, or fill out our form for a FREE estimate. It's a pressing matter that requires a professional roofer.

What are a safe house and low energy bills worth to you?​

You first notice discoloration on the ceiling in your kitchen. Maybe it’s just grease or condensation. You try to clean it off and notice it feels wet to the touch. Oh no! Your roof is leaking! Or maybe not. How is one to know?

For any household leak, keep in mind water flows down from the highest point, so the first step in the investigation is to check the space above the leak. If that’s your attic, inspect it during daylight so if there are any holes or cracks in your roof, you can see sunlight peeking through them. Also, bring a flashlight so you can see well enough to detect moisture above your problem spot, both in the attic ceiling and along the floor. Finally, look for pipes running above or near the leaky area. Inspect them to see if they are wet to the touch or the area around them is wet.

Plumbing Leak?
It is possible the problem is not your roof; it could be a pipe that has come loose, lost its seal, or is cracked. Pipe leaks don’t happen just in the attic. For example, if there is a bathroom above the leak stain, your toilet could be leaking, or the drain in the bathtub may not be sealed tight.

Gutter Overflow?
If you don’t find any obvious signs in the attic, observe whether the discolored area on your ceiling dries. Then, when it rains, check to see if it is wet to the touch again. This could indicate your gutters are clogged or leaking, which can spill over water into your walls and ceiling.

Standing and overflowing water rots the wooden fascia the gutters are installed on, which creates leaks and even mold in your home. To check for cracks in your gutters, besides the visually obvious, look for streaks or stains on your siding behind and under the gutters, or if your house is painted, look for peeling paint in the same area.

Roof Top?
If you still need clarification on your persistent leaky spot, the top of your roof needs to be inspected for missing or loose shingles, air vents that have come loose, or improperly sealed flashing around the chimney or ventilation pipes.

If you have ruled out a plumbing issue, have found your gutters have created roof rot, or would like a professional roof inspection, contact Town Corners Roofing and Exteriors to solve the leaky spot mystery and stop it!