Spots on Your Ceiling May Mean Roof Problems

Things are looking up for the economy. So now might be a good time to look up at home, as well. That’s right – take a look at the ceilings in your Vancouver area home. What do you see?

If you notice discolored spots in a circular or lengthwise stain pattern, that’s a sure sign there is water leaking in from above. Don’t get upset! A ceiling stain is actually a warning sign that could save you thousands of dollars in the long run.

The water stains on your ceiling are most likely caused by leaks in your roofing system. The source could be any one of a number of places: loose or missing shingles, loose flashing, ice dams, clogged gutters. The problem is, water that seeps in often “travels” away from the source and show up many meters away.

Once you notice ceiling spots or stains, it is important to have your roofing system inspected by a qualified Vancouver roofing contractor to identify and correct the original source of the leak. Ignoring, or even delaying action, may result in a widening of the leak and additional, more expensive damage. Remember: leaks never get smaller!

A professional roofing contractor who inspects your roof will examine several critical areas:

• Attic and crawl space, to trace back to the source of the leak
• Rafters and roof deck, to identify the route water may have traveled
• Chimney and roof vents, to make sure flashing is properly seated and sealed
• Eaves and soffits, to see if water is backing up from gutters into the attic area
• Gutters, to make sure rainwater can flow easily; or, in cold weather, to determine if ice dams are forming
• Shingles, to located cracked, curling or missing shingles

After a careful inspection, the roofing contractor should be able to provide you with specific details about the leak, along with a remediation plan for repairing it. A roof that is leaking does not necessarily need to be replaced, but may be able to be repaired at a lower cost.

So look up! It could keep you safer, dryer and cost you less money than ignoring a leak problem in your Vancouver home.