Roof Damage and Roof Leak Terms

Key terms in this topic

Algae Stains

Dark streaks on shingles from algae. Mostly cosmetic, though they trap moisture.

Blistering

Raised bubbles on the surface from trapped moisture or heat.

Buckling Shingles

Ridges or waves across shingles, often from deck movement or trapped moisture.

Ceiling Water Stain

A brown ring on the ceiling, usually the first sign of a roof leak.

Cracked Shingles

Splits across the shingle from age, hail or cold.

Creased Shingle

A shingle folded by wind, leaving a horizontal line across it.

Curling Shingles

Shingles whose edges or centers turn up or down. Usually age, heat or poor ventilation.

Emergency Tarp

A temporary cover that stops a leak until permanent repairs can be made.

Exposed Nails

Nail heads left uncovered, which can rust and let water in.

Fallen Tree Damage

Punctures or structural damage from a tree or limb hitting the roof.

Flashing Failure

Flashing that has rusted, cracked, lifted or come unsealed.

Granule Loss

Bare asphalt where granules have worn off. Often shows up as grit in the gutters.

Hail Bruise

A soft spot where hail broke the mat under the granules, even if the surface looks intact.

Hail Damage

Dents, cracks or bruises in the roof surface from hail strikes.

Missing Shingles

Bare spots where shingles blew off, leaving the underlayment exposed.

Moss Growth

Moss on a roof holds moisture and can lift shingle edges.

Nail Pop

A nail backing out and pushing up the shingle above it.

Ponding Water

Water that stays on a flat roof long after the rain stops.

Roof Leak

Water getting through the roof into the attic or living space. The drip is often far from the entry point.

Sagging Roof

A dip along the ridge or across a slope, often from deck rot or structural damage.

Storm Damage

Damage to the roof from hail, wind, falling limbs or debris.

Unsealed Shingle

A shingle whose sealant strip let go, so it can lift in the wind.

Water Intrusion

Water entering the home through the roof or walls, including slow leaks that don't drip.

Wind Damage

Shingles that are creased, lifted, torn or missing after high wind.

See Roof Damage & Leaks terms in the A to Z glossary