If You See These, You Are Already Late.
Most homeowners think a “roof emergency” is a tree falling on the house. But in Peoria, the most expensive disasters start silently. A small drip behind a wall. A missing shingle you didn’t notice.
In 2026, the stakes are higher. Insurance companies are increasingly denying claims under the “Failure to Maintain” clause. This means if you notice a problem and wait 6 months to fix it, the resulting mold and rot is 100% your bill.
Here are the top 5 red flags that mean you need immediate roof repair today—not next week.
1. The “Daylight” Test (Attic Check)
Go into your attic during the day and turn off the lights.
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The Sign: Do you see pinpricks of light shining through the roof deck?
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The Verdict: CRITICAL. If light can get in, water is definitely getting in. This usually means your shingles have blown off or the decking has rotted through. This is an active breach that needs an emergency tarp immediately.
2. The “Bruised Apple” Shingles
You might look up and think your shingles are fine because they aren’t missing. Look closer.
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The Sign: Dark, round spots on your shingles where the granules (sand) are missing.
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The Verdict: This is hail damage. Think of it like a bruise on an apple—it looks okay on the surface, but the structure underneath is mush.
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Why it’s immediate: UV rays will burn through these bald spots in weeks, leading to leaks.
3. Granules in the Gutter (The “Sunburn” Sign)
Next time you clean your gutters, look at the muck in the bottom.
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The Sign: Is it filled with black sandy grit?
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The Verdict: Those are the protective granules from your shingles. Once they wash off, your asphalt is exposed to the sun. It dries out, cracks, and curls. This signals your roof is at the very end of its life.
4. The “Bubble” on Your Ceiling
We see this often in bathrooms and bedrooms.
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The Sign: A ring of brown water stain on your drywall, or worse, a paint bubble that looks like a blister.
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The Verdict: DO NOT POP IT. That bubble is holding gallons of dirty water. This means water has already soaked your insulation and is pooling on the drywall.
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The Action: Put a bucket underneath and call us immediately.
5. Gaps Around the “Boots”
The rubber boots around your plumbing vents (the pipes sticking out of your roof) are the #1 cause of leaks in Illinois.
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The Sign: From the ground (with binoculars), does the rubber look cracked, torn, or rotted away?
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The Verdict: This is an open hole into your home. It’s a cheap repair ($300-$500), but if ignored, it causes thousands in drywall damage.
The Cost of Waiting
According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage is the second most common insurance claim. However, standard policies often exclude damage caused by “gradual seepage.”
The Math is simple:
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Immediate Repair: ~$400 – $900
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Ignored Leak (Rot + Mold + Drywall): $5,000 – $12,000+ (Out of Pocket)
Don’t gamble with your biggest investment. If you see any of these 5 signs, contact SNS Roofing immediately for an emergency inspection. We will stop the water before it stops you.
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