• Current leaks. These leaks are most likely caused by inadequate or missing underlayment, deteriorated and/or missing flashing, or poor overall workmanship by the original roofing contractor. Many apparent roof leaks are actually flashing leaks. Without good, tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall/roof junctions, water can enter a home or building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and electrical systems. Flashings should be checked as part of a biannual roof inspection and gutter cleaning.

• The appearance of water stains on interior ceilings and walls over the winter months. The most likely cause of these stains is an ice dam. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms either at the eave of the roof or where a side wall meets a roof edge. Once an ice dam forms, it prevents water from draining off the roof and into the gutter. The ice creates a dam, and the water backs up and gets under and behind the roof shingles and/or the flashing.  This water can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, floors, etc. Properly insulating your attic and crawl spaces will help prevent ice dams from forming and also help stop precious money from going out through your roof in the form of heat.

• Roof shingle, sheathing and siding decay. This is usually caused by poor attic ventilation. Proper ventilation is one of the most critical factors in a roof system’s durability. An ideal attic ventilation system includes an exhaust vent at the ridge of the roof (ridge vents) and an intake vent at the eaves (soffit vents). When ridge vents and soffit vents are not an option, then gable vents and other venting options should be employed. Without such vents, heat and moisture build up in an attic area, combine, and cause rafters and sheathing to rot, shingles to buckle, and insulation to lose its effectiveness; therefore, it is important never to block off sources of roof ventilation, such as louvers, ridge vents, or soffit vents, even in winter. Proper attic ventilation prevents structural damage caused by moisture, increases roofing material life, reduces energy consumption, and enhances the comfort level of the rooms below the attic. Inadequate attic ventilation will shorten your roof’s life expectancy faster than any other factor. Insulation also plays a key role in proper attic ventilation.

• Blistering and/or peeling of interior and/or exterior paint.These conditions are usually caused by excessive temperature or high humidity as a result of poor attic ventilation

• Missing, cracked or curling shingles. When roofing shingles show such wear, it’s a sign that they have reached the end of their useful life. When shingles are old and worn out, they curl, split, and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. Weakened shingles easily are blown off, torn, or lifted by wind gusts. The end result is structural rot and interior damage.

• Discolored or dirty-looking shingles. These conditions are caused by several factors, including the loss of granules because of environmental pollution, vegetation, fungus, or the age of roofing shingles, just to name a few. Moss can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. Once it grows, moss holds even more moisture to a roof system's surface, causing rot. In addition, moss roots can work their way into a wood deck and structure. Algae also grow in damp, shaded areas on wood or asphalt shingle roof systems. Besides creating a black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from homes and buildings to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage. Also, tree branches touching a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage or even puncture shingles and other roofing materials. Leaves on a roof system's surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the gutters block drainage.

• Excessive energy costs.Insufficient attic ventilation causes heating and cooling systems to run excessively. In warm weather, inadequate ventilation will trap hot air in the attic, causing air conditioning systems to work harder or leaving your home interior hotter and less comfortable. In both hot and cold weather, insufficient attic ventilation may cause moisture in the attic to become trapped and condense on the rafters. This condensed moisture can drip onto the insulation and reduce its effectiveness.

Erica Edwards is a client manager for Michael J. Turner Roofing & Siding in Middletown, Connecticut, and a member of NERCA, BTA, NAHB, and Big 50. She can be reached at eedwards@turnerexteriors.com or 860-346-0044.