Most roof problems start small. If you catch them early, the fix is usually simple. Here are the signs you need roof repair that we look for when we inspect homes around Sacramento.
Signs on a shingle roof
Curling shingles
Shingles should lie flat. When the edges curl up, wind and water can get under them. Curling can come from age, which may mean it’s time to look at a roof replacement. It can also come from poor attic ventilation, where moist air builds up under the roof.
Missing shingles
Strong wind or falling branches can knock shingles loose. One missing shingle leaves an open spot for water. It can quickly turn into two or three.
Cracked shingles
Shingles crack with age and from things hitting the roof, like branches. Cracks let water through. See our shingle roof repair page for what a repair looks like.
Signs on a tile roof
On a tile roof, the underlayment under the tile usually wears out before the tile does. Most tile roofs need their first repairs around 15 to 20 years, especially when the drainage channels haven’t been cleaned. Look for:
- Broken or slipped tiles
- Gaps along the hips and ridges, where water gets in most often
- Valleys or drainage channels packed with leaves and dirt
Learn more about tile roof repair.
Signs you need roof repair you can see from inside
Sunlight in the attic
Go into the attic on a sunny day and look for light coming through the roof. If light can get through, so can water.
Damaged flashing
Flashing seals the roof around chimneys, skylights, vent pipes and walls. When it lifts, cracks or goes missing, water gets in. With skylights, it’s often the flashing that leaks, not the skylight itself.
Water stains on ceilings or walls
A brown stain on a ceiling or wall usually means a leak. It is often the first sign homeowners notice. Read about roof leak repair.
Bubbling or peeling paint
Paint damage can mean water is getting into the wall. It isn’t always the roof. A leaky pipe or poor ventilation can cause it too. An inspection tells you which.
Soft or rotted wood
Water that gets in over time can cause dry rot in the roof deck and trim. We fix dry rot at a fixed price per piece of wood, not by the hour, and we show you photos of what we found.
What a repair usually costs
Most repairs cost about $2,000 to $3,000. Bigger problems that are left alone for a while average around $5,500. That’s why it pays to call early.
Inspections are usually available within a few days. After you approve the work, most repairs are scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks. Most smaller repairs are finished in one day. Repairs come with a workmanship warranty of 2 to 10 years, depending on the repair.
Related: Roof inspection · Dry rot repair · Roof repair
Seeing any of these signs? We’ll inspect your roof for free, take photos, and give you a written quote the same day. Call (916) 678-9786 or request a free inspection.
