Having your roof repaired as soon as you see any sign of damage is cheaper than having a new one (or part of it) reinstalled, as the damage can extend unimpeded to other parts of your house, creating a new batch of problems that are both time consuming to stop and expensive to fix. Nobody likes to hear that their roof needs work, of course, but remember that the longer you wait on bad news, the worse they can get.

But, when does a roof need to be repaired? Well, today we present to you the urgent signs that yours might need it. Pay attention, and if you detect any of these signs, be sure to call a professional and get it repaired soon; it can be the difference between spending thousands and tens of thousands.

1. Signs of moisture

Depending on a lot of factors, water may be leaking into your house without your knowledge. Check your attic and crawl spaces for any sign of moisture, such as mildew, water stains, mold and even pools of water. You should do this regularly, especially during rain season, or if you leave in a very humid area with foggy nights/mornings.

Think of your roof as your house’s hat, helmet, hairdo and umbrella all at once. Water is a dangerous element to leave unchecked inside your home because of the structural damage it can cause, and without your roof’s protection, the repair bills can stack up.

It’s a good idea to keep a clean, tidy attic to make inspections easier.

2. Damaged shingles

Any cracked, curled, dented or missing shingles are a sure sign that fixes are urgently needed; a complete replacement might be needed already, but repairs can buy you some time. If the damage is localized to a small area, however, then you can probably have those replaced for cheap.

If you have gutters, check for clumps or granules of black sand or other pieces of detritus. These are the result of your shingles deteriorating over time, and are another surefire way to tell that your roof is in need of big repairs or a replacement.

3. Higher energy bills

A sudden spike in your air conditioning or heating costs probably means that the air inside your house is leaking, and the roof is one place where it might be happening. Check your attic for signs of a leak or improper installation, and you’ll find the culprit of your high energy bills.

4. Wet spots and algae on the outside

Dark spots and streaks on your roof can be symptoms of algae growth, which means that water is not being properly kept out by your shingles and moisture is being trapped in between them, so you’ll probably have to fix or replace it.

Keep in mind that this humidity might not be under the exact shingle that looks the darkest, so the damage might extend beyond what’s apparent at first sight.

5. Peeling or blistering on the exterior paint

A poorly ventilated attic means that humidity will build up near the roofline, causing your outside paint to blister or peel, which can also be costly to repair. This might also because not by your attic, but a failing gutter system, which can in turn also damage your roof deck, so it’s all connected in the end.

6. Sagging ceiling

While an outside inspection might show no signs of damage, and a cursory interior check might not reveal any pools of water, mold or mildew, sagging spots in your ceiling are a definite sign that there is at least some rot or water damage in your roof.

7. Stains on interior walls

Again, an outside inspection might not reveal anything, but if you see any staining on your ceiling or walls means that at least some water is leaking through, or humidity is building up under the roof. This, of course, is one of the most notable signs that your roof needs repairs, and could mean that the damage is extending both upward and downward.

Regular checks can let you know that your roof (or part of it) needs repair, and the sooner you learn of this, the more you can cut down on time and money spent having it fixed. Keep in mind that, even if you already have to get the whole roof replaced, mold and mildew can make the bill all that much higher. Don’t wait too much!