Signs Your Roof Needs Repair or Replacement (and a Safe DIY Inspection)

Inside the house

• Water stains on ceilings or the tops of walls
• Peeling paint near the ceiling
• Damp insulation, daylight or drips in the attic
• A musty smell upstairs after rain

Outside, from the ground

• Missing, cracked, curled or lifted shingles
• Dark patches where granules have worn away
• Granules piling up in gutters or at downspouts
• Rusted, bent or loose flashing around the chimney and vents
• A sagging roofline
• Moss, or dark streaks, on shaded slopes

Binoculars help. Stay off the roof: a fall is a far bigger problem than a leak.

The most common roofing problems

Across Central Indiana, the problems we see most are wind-damaged shingles, leaks around chimneys and vents where flashing has failed, hail damage after spring storms, and ice dams along the eaves in winter. Each is easier and cheaper to fix when it is caught early.

When to call a roofer

Call if you see any sign of water inside, missing shingles, or damage after a storm. A professional inspection costs nothing with many local roofers, and it tells you whether you need a small repair or should start planning a replacement.