When you live in an apartment, your roof is probably not yours. That means you won’t have access to it when you need to make repairs or replace the roof tiles because they are broken or have been damaged by raccoons, squirrels, or some other animal that found its way into the attic. If your roof is common property, then you’ll need to check with your landlord before attempting any kind of repair work on it. You can also ask them for advice on what repairs are necessary and how much they might cost – so that when you see water stains appear or hear strange noises coming from above, you know exactly what needs fixing and whether it’s worth doing the job yourself or hiring someone else to do it. Here are some common problems related to roofing that may indicate bigger issues lurking beneath the surface. If any of these problems sound familiar, take action soon to prevent further damage and repair the problem as soon as possible.

Roofing Repairs May Be Necessary

The first thing to check when you notice a potential problem with your roof is the sheathing. Sheathing is the layer of plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) that lies directly beneath the roof tiles and is what you walk on when you go to the roof. If the sheathing has been damaged, it needs to be repaired as soon as possible because it can affect the integrity of the roof. The roof tiles are held down by nails that are driven through the sheathing into the roof rafters, so if the sheathing is damaged or rotted, it will need to be replaced before new tiles can be installed. If the roof tiles are cracked or broken, they will need to be removed and replaced before the sheathing can be repaired.

Rainwater May Be Causing Rot and Mold

After checking the sheathing, look for signs of excess water on the roof, like water stains or mold growth on the roof tiles. If you see water stains on the roof tiles, it’s a good sign that the roof is not properly draining. If you see mold or mildew growth, that water is probably coming in from above and getting trapped in the framing. If you don’t have gutters, or they are clogged or broken, water could be getting into the framing from above and causing rot and mold, as well as weakening the structure of the roof. If you’re seeing water stains, check your gutters and make sure they’re clean, unclogged, and in good condition. If you do have mold growth, it will need to be removed before it spreads and damages the roof tiles.

You’ll Hear Strange Noises Coming From Above

If you hear strange noises coming from above, like a scuttling noise, it’s likely that squirrels or raccoons have found their way into the attic. If you see that raccoons or squirrels have made holes in the roof tiles and are chewing through the sheathing as they go, your best bet is to call a pest control company to have them removed so they don’t cause any more damage. If you don’t see any signs of animal activity above, you’ll just hear noise coming from the attic, and it’s likely that the roof decking is just groaning and creaking as it expands and contracts in the heat and cold. If you hear noises from above that don’t seem to be related to animals, it could be that the framing is rotting or the roof decking is contracting and expanding in ways that cause strange noises.

Check For Animal Infestation

If you’ve found raccoons or squirrels in your attic, you can check for signs of animal infestation by removing the roof tiles and inspecting the framing. If you don’t see any visible signs of infestation but you do see signs of water damage and rot, it’s likely that the animals have caused the problem. If you see signs of insect infestation, you’ll need to get a professional exterminator to remove the pests, treat the roof for infestation and repair the damage the pests have caused. If you see signs of rodent infestation, you’ll need to hire a professional exterminator to kill the pests and repair the damage they’ve caused.

Moonrocks Are Visible from Below

If you notice that the moonrocks are visibly weathered, damaged, or missing, your roof needs to be repaired before the tiles fall off and cause damage to the building below. If the moonrocks are missing, you’ll need to replace the roof tiles, but if they are damaged but still attached, they’ll need to be repaired. If the roof tiles are visibly weathered, they’ll need to be replaced, and if the roof decking is damaged, it will need to be repaired.

Conclusion

If you’re living in an apartment building and noticing any of the above problems, you may need to hire a roofing contractor to come and evaluate the damage and repair the roof. If you’re on a fixed income and can’t afford to hire a contractor, you can contact your local housing department or social services department and ask if they offer any resources for low-income residents. If you’re on the owner’s side of the coin, you can learn about these problems and how to fix them by doing some research online. Be sure to ask other owners if they’ve had any problems with their roofs so you can be on the lookout and make repairs before they become serious problems.