It’s very easy to mistake signs of water damage something else. Roof water damage or interior ceiling water damage is a big concern for homeowners, particularly during the winter. If a home’s exterior walls or roof is damaged water can seep in and cause a variety of problems from mould to rot and more.

Identifying the early signs of water damage can help to save you from a number of later problems and these signs are some of the more common ones to keep more than just money, so take a look at these signs of roof and ceiling water damage to watch out for. 

It’s very important not to make assumptions about what may have caused any of these problems. Give us a call and let us take a closer look to get to the roof cause of the problem.

Even the smallest watermarks and mould could mean that water has seeped in from your roof, or that your roof has a hole or a crack.

When finding signs of water damage, check your roof. Don’t delay; doing so could be very well prove to be costly and require you to have your roof replaced entirely.

One of the easier problems to identify relates to roof tiles. During a regular maintenance check, it will be easy for us to see whether any of your roof tiles are loose. By simply stepping on them and checking their state, we’ll be able to assess whether repairs are needed.

Missing or loose tiles can open up the possibility to much greater problems (as well as being dangerous for passers-by) and it is important that action is taken quickly.

Did you know that gutters becoming clogged can rot fascia boards and make it easier for water to enter the property and cause damage to ceilings, windows, woodwork and walls? These are all serious issues with the ability to impact the structural integrity of your home and potentially cause £1000s of damage.

Blocked gutters are a common problem, but because of the height of most gutters, it’s not always easy to tell without having a ladder to check yourself. Because of this, it tends to be something home or business owners largely ignore. It is vital that you inspect your gutters regularly to ensure that they are not clogged. If you are unable to do this yourself, many window cleaners offer this service and we can help as well.

The result is peace of mind for you and a winter free from worry.

For a number of reasons, overhanging trees can be a big problem for your roof. Not only is there the danger that a strong wind will blow it over, but its branches can rub on your roof tiles which can wear away the top layer.

If this is the case, tiles are more likely to succumb to weather damage, and general wear and tear. If you have a tree with limbs that hang over your roof, you should think about asking a professional tree surgeon to clip back overhanging branches.

We would be happy to check your roof to see if any problems need correcting.

Any sign of pooling water can be a sign that your roof is not performing efficiently. A roof in full working order will have been designed to help transport rainwater away from your home, and into drainage pipes to help reduce the risk of damage being caused.

However, if the drainage system on your roof is not functioning properly and is not transporting water away as it should, the water will start to pool resulting in an increase of the load that your roof has to bear. When left alone, pooling water can cause the load to exceed the overall threshold of your roof and possibly lead to a collapse.

If you are concerned that you are suffering from this problem, it is advisable that you call us as a matter of urgency to allow us to carry out a thorough assessment of why pooling water is happening.

Another area to check relates to moss and mould. If either of them grow outside your roof, then tiles could force themselves apart, creating a gap that lets in water.

It is therefore important to check your roof and look for tiles that show signs of rotting, moss or mildew.

Failure to address this as soon as possible will result in bacteria and fungi growing and causing water damage to your roof. If you find lots of problematic mouldy areas, a roof replacement may even be necessary.

The majority of roofs have space near the base (near the soffits) and at the top (near the ridge) to provide ventilation for the warm air that naturally rises.

Ineffective ventilation with mean that the moisture and temperature in your roof become unregulated, which has the potential to cause serious problems.

Moisture and temperature build up can cause damage to the components of your roof, lead to a build-up of mould and mildew, and even influence your energy costs.

With such a huge range of materials that have been used to construct roofs in the UK, not all of them had the qualities to stand the test of time.

The age of your roof will determine which materials were used during construction, how the roof was built and what steps need to be taken to maintain it.

Furthermore, as roofs are constantly exposed to the elements, we believe that if your roof is 15 years or older, it could be time to have it looked by a professional.

When you have vents, skylights, chimneys, or satellite dishes on the roof, they will need to be enclosed with something called flashing.

Flashing is a metal strip surrounding the inserts which will help to ensure that water does not leak in. As time passes, this flashing will begin to degrade, allowing water to enter your roof structure.

As such, it must be maintained with regular inspections for your home’s protection. Age, exposure and poor-quality installation can be the biggest enemies for the flashing installed at your home.

This overhang on the home is one of the main weaknesses with regard to water damage. Ice during the winter can easily cause enough disruption to the soffit or fascia board that it can begin to detach from the larger structure.

From there, it only takes a short period of time before the rot quickly spreads. This is how you can end up with birds and other pests making nests in eaves of your home.

These are just a small number of the potential issues that need to monitored. Should you have any concerns about any of the problems outlined above, give us a call and we’ll be happy to come and provide a comprehensive assessment.