The small, dark spot may end up being the least of your problems. A worn roof can lead to leaks and ruined plaster or drywall. If not corrected, it can lead to rot in the rafters, walls and ceilings, and even the floors. It is a good idea to inspect your ceilings regularly for stains or discolorations that often indicate roof problems.
If a shingle roof is more than 20 years old and you notice any leaks, a complete reroofing job is probably best. If it is less than 15 years old, and the leaks are concentrated in only one or two small areas, making repairs is your best option.
Inspect the underside of the roof with a bright flashlight from inside the attic. A few pinholes in the sheathing are normal. These usually swell shut when the roof is wet. If you see signs of water leakage near pinholes, though, stick a piece of wire through the hole to see if it easily penetrates the shingles, too.
You should check your roof twice a year: fall and spring. If extensive work is necessary, the summer months will provide warm, dry weather for the repairs. The heat is particularly helpful when repairing old asphalt shingles.
Scan the ridgeline. It should be perfectly horizontal. You can assess the rafters by looking along the plane of each roof section; they should be straight. If there appears to be any sagging, it could indicate structural problems from a prolonged leak.
Inspect the roof’s surface. Look for obvious damage first: curled shingle edges, cracked tiles, warped wood shakes, or missing shingles. Inspect the flashings for rust spots and broken seals along the edges.
Look for heavy wear around the valleys (the places where water runs off into the gutters). Inspect flashing areas around the chimneys and vent pipes and check for cracks, gaps, and missing caulking. If you have metal gutters and downspouts, look for rust spots and holes.
With asphalt shingle roofs, look for black areas that show the shingles are cracking. If shingles are brittle, they may have lost their protective inner oils and you will need to reroof. Look for thin, weatherworn shingles that have bald spots where the protective granules have worn away.
If there are only a few bad spots, you can probably do the repair work yourself. There are many do-it-yourself books at the library that can guide you through the repair process.
If your house has wooden shingles or shakes, check for curled, warped, and split shingles. Look for any spots where the nails have become loose or rusted. If only a few spots need work, you may be able to attempt the repairs. If wood shakes are dry (crumble easily between your fingers), or extensively warped or cracked, reroofing will be necessary.
With tile or slate that was installed properly, the roof will generally last a lifetime. However, individual tiles can chip or break. If the tile is cracked or broken across its face in either direction, it should be replaced.
Once the inspection is complete, you will need to decide whether to do the repair or reroofing yourself or hire a contractor. Labor usually adds 50 percent to the cost of the job. Just remember that if you attempt the job yourself, it is hot, tiring, difficult, and often dangerous.
