The signs you need a roof inspection fall into three groups: water where it should not be (ceiling stains, drips, damp attic insulation), roof pieces out of place (missing shingles, slipped tiles, loose metal, bent flashing), and wear showing up around the house (granules in the gutters, a sagging roof line, rotting fascia). Any one of them is a reason to book a professional look. An active leak is a reason to call today: 866-631-3366.
Which signs mean you should call the same day?
- Water dripping from a ceiling, or running down an inside wall during rain.
- Water in or around a light fixture or ceiling fan. Switch that circuit off at the breaker before anything else.
- A ceiling that bulges or sags. Water may be pooling above it.
- A large section of shingles, tiles or panels gone after wind, or a tree limb resting on the roof.
While you wait, move furniture and electronics out of the way, catch the water in a bucket and photograph everything. Stay off the roof, especially when it is wet. Our emergency roof repair service covers leaks that cannot wait for a scheduled visit.
What signs show up inside the house?
| What you notice | What it often points to | When to book |
|---|---|---|
| A brown ring or yellow stain on a ceiling | A past or slow leak; the entry point is often uphill of the stain | Before the next rain |
| Peeling or bubbling paint high on an outside wall | Water getting in at the roof edge, gutter or wall flashing | Soon, while the weather is dry |
| A musty smell in upstairs rooms or closets | Damp in the attic from a leak or from poor ventilation | Soon, while the weather is dry |
| Stains around a skylight, chimney or bathroom fan | Failed flashing or seals at that opening | Before the next rain |
| Hearing scratching or birds overhead | A gap at the eaves, a vent or the ridge big enough for animals, and for rain | Soon, while the weather is dry |
What can you spot from the yard?
Walk around the house on a clear day with binoculars; never climb up to look. Signs worth booking an inspection for:
- Shingles that are missing, curled at the edges or cracked across; bare, dark patches where the granules have gone.
- Tiles that have slipped out of line, cracked tiles, or mortar missing at the ridge and hips.
- Metal panels with lifted edges, rust streaks below fasteners, or trim that has come loose.
- A ridge that dips, or a roof plane that looks wavy instead of flat.
- Flashing at walls and chimneys that is bent, lifted or smeared with sealant.
- Gutters full of shingle granules, which look like coarse sand.
What should you look for in the attic?
Take a flashlight into the attic after a rain if you can do it safely, stepping only on the framing:
- Dark stains or wet spots on the underside of the roof boards and on rafters.
- Points of daylight coming through the roof deck.
- Insulation that is flattened, stained or damp to the touch.
- Rusty nail tips, beads of condensation or mold spots, which point to trapped moisture.
Any of these is worth a professional inspection, even if no stain has reached the rooms below yet.
Signs around the outside of the house
- Fascia boards that are soft, stained or peeling behind the gutter.
- Gutters that overflow in moderate rain or pull away from the house.
- Water stains on the siding or stucco just below the eaves.
- Moss or heavy debris building up in valleys, where water should run freely.
No signs at all: when should you still book?
Many roof problems give no sign until they are well along. Book an inspection anyway after strong wind or a heavy storm, before buying or selling a home, before solar panels go on, and after other crews have worked on the roof. Otherwise once a year is the usual schedule; our post on annual roof inspections explains the timing. If the signs you see are widespread, compare them with the signs a roof needs replacing.
What happens after you call?
A NEMA Roofing inspection covers shingles, tile, metal or flat membranes on the outside, including flashing, chimneys and gutters, and the attic on the inside for leaks, stains and ventilation problems. Findings are photographed and you receive a written report with repair recommendations and advice on keeping the roof in good shape. We believe in transparency and education: no scare tactics, just honest information so you can make an informed decision about your roof. For the ground and attic checks you can repeat yourself, keep our roofing inspection checklist.
Book an inspection
With five locations across Southern California (Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Woodland Hills, Tarzana and Downey), NEMA Roofing reaches homes in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties alike; our service areas list the towns. Learn more on the roof inspection service page, or call 866-631-3366 and tell us what you have noticed.
