Spot It Before It Leaks: 6 Early Signs Your Roof Needs Attention

1. Shingles that look tired or weird

You don’t have to be a roofer to spot shingle problems. Just stand back, squint a little, and look up.

Common warning signs:

• Curling or buckling shingles

• Shingles that look cracked or dried out

• Patches that are noticeably darker or missing granules

• Missing shingles entirely (a big red flag!)

Your shingles are like armor for your roof. If they’re worn, water will find its way in eventually.

2. A sagging roofline

Your roof should be straight and strong. If parts of it look droopy or wavy, that’s not just a cosmetic issue—it could mean structural damage.

Sagging often points to:

• Waterlogged decking

• Rotting wood under the surface

• Long-term weight from snow or pooling water

If your roofline is sagging, don’t wait. Get a professional to check it out quickly.

3. Stains on ceilings or walls

That little yellow-brown spot on your ceiling? Yep, it’s probably a leak. And it didn’t show up overnight.

Water stains usually mean:

• A slow, consistent leak

• Damaged insulation

• Mold or mildew building up behind the scenes

Sometimes, leaks travel far from the original entry point—so the stain you see might not be directly below the roof damage.

4. Dripping sounds (when it’s not raining)

This one’s sneaky. If you hear drip… drip… drip… when the skies are clear, it might be water trapped inside your ceiling or walls from a previous storm.

Listen for:

• Random drips inside walls

• Strange wet or musty smells

• Discoloration that appears even when it's dry outside

It’s one of the most subtle early signs that your roof isn’t holding up.

5. Flashing that’s cracked or rusted

Flashing is the thin metal that seals the joints around chimneys, vents, skylights, and valleys. When it fails, water finds the fast track inside.

Check your flashing for:

• Visible rust

• Cracks or gaps

• Loose edges or peeling sealant

Even a small flaw in the flashing can lead to a big problem over time.

6. Granules in the gutter

Asphalt shingles naturally lose granules over time—but if your gutters look like they’ve been sprinkled with black sand, that’s not good.

Granule loss means:

• Your shingles are aging fast

• The protective layer is wearing off

• UV and water damage are next in line

Check your downspouts after a storm—you’d be surprised what ends up there.

Final thought

Roofs don’t fail overnight. They whisper their warnings before they shout. The good news? If you catch those whispers early, you can fix small issues before they turn into major headaches.

Need help with a quick roof check or not sure if what you're seeing is serious? Reach out—we’ll give it a look and let you know if it's “all good” or “let’s fix it before the rain comes.”