The 7 Most Common Roof Problems We See In Central Arkansas (And How to Spot Them Early)

Every week our crew at 2J’s Custom Roofs is on rooftops across White, Independence, Jackson and Cleburne counties and the surrounding areas. Over the years we have seen the same problems appear again and again. This year in particular has shown how unpredictable and intense Arkansas weather can be. The storms that rolled through in March and April brought everything from large hail to powerful tornadoes. These events left many homeowners with roof issues that went undetected until weeks and months later because most roof issues begin small. With the right knowledge you can spot them early and protect your home long before the repair becomes expensive.

Below are the most common problems we find along with real examples from recent storms that affected our neighbors:

Undetected Roof Leaks

Roof leaks often begin long before water is dripping and a bucket is needed. The combination of humidity, heat and frequent storms in Arkansas puts pressure on the weakest points of a roof.

Watch for discoloration on ceilings, musty smells in the attic or shingles that appear dark or wet even on a clear day. Early detection is important because a minor leak today can easily grow into major structural damage later.

Worn or Cracked Pipe Boots

Pipe boots are the rubber seals around the vents on your roof. Over time the sun and heat will cause them to dry out and crack which creates a direct entry point for water. This is one of the most common sources of slow leaks in Arkansas homes.

Look for pipe boots that appear brittle or split. Stains on kitchen, bathroom or laundry room ceilings after a rain can be a good indication the seal has failed. Because these leaks often go unnoticed, regular inspections are helpful.

Missing or Damaged Shingles

High winds are one of the most common causes of early roof damage. Many areas across central Arkansas have regularly seen gusts over 60 miles per hour in 2025. Even if a roof looks fine from the ground, often strong winds have lifted shingles just enough to break their seal and sometimes pulling them loose from the nails. Once the seal is broken water can (and usually will) work its way into the home.

Look for shingles that appear lifted or curled, bare spots on your roof or loose granules and even shingles in the driveway or gutters. After any strong wind event it is wise to walk around your home and give both the roof and the ground a closer look.

Hail Damage

Hail was a major problem across our region this year. Several towns in and around the counties we serve were hit by damaging hail during March and early April. Here are some examples:

On March 31st, Viola in Fulton County reported hail as large as 1.75 inches. The previous day that area experienced stones up to 2.75 inches. On March 30th, Salem in Fulton County saw hail up to 1.5 inches. Cave City in Sharp County was hit twice, with 1.75-inch hail on March 14th and 3-inch hail on March 30th. On March 31st, Strawberry in Lawrence County reported hail measuring 1.75 inches. That same day Olyphant and Saffell in Jackson County saw stones up to 3 inches. Near Worden in White County hail reached 2.75 inches on April 2nd.

Hail of this size can bruise or crack shingles even if the roof looks normal at first glance. The damage often appears as small circular areas where granules are missing or as soft bruised spots you can feel with your hand. Metal vents, gutters and trim may also show dents.

*Because hail damage can shorten the life of a roof, we strongly encourage homeowners to schedule an inspection after any hail event.

Improper Installation

It is common for us to see roofs that were not installed correctly. Poor workmanship often shows up years later through leaks, loose shingles or exposed nails. Another common issue is improper ventilation. When a roof cannot breathe the trapped heat and moisture shorten the life of the shingles and weaken the entire system. This can lead to premature aging, soft decking, mold in the attic and higher energy bills.

Look for signs such as uneven shingle lines, nails sticking up, loose ridge caps, shingles that do not lay flat or attic spaces that feel unusually hot or stale.

Improper installation in any of these areas makes a roof more vulnerable during storms. The severe weather this spring revealed installation and ventilation mistakes on several homes we inspected. A roof can only perform as well as it was installed.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under the shingles. After the heavy rain events this year we found several homes with damaged fascia boards caused by overflowing gutters.

Look for standing water in your gutters, sagging sections or water spilling over the edges during a storm.

Gutter maintenance is a simple way to extend the life of your roof and prevent expensive repairs.

Aging Roof Systems

Every roof has a lifespan. Heat, humidity and seasonal changes slowly break down roofing materials. Older roofs often show thin or brittle shingles, missing granules or dark streaks from algae. Even without hail or wind an older roof can become vulnerable. If your roof is more than ten to fifteen years old it is wise to have it inspected, especially after the kind of extreme weather our community experienced this year.

Tornado and High Wind Damage in Our Community

Several tornadoes touched down in or near the areas we serve this spring. On March 14th a tornado struck north of Augusta in Woodruff County. That same day tornadoes also hit Diaz and Campbell Station near Newport in Jackson County. Cave City in Sharp County suffered significant destruction from an EF3 tornado on that day and our team spent a great deal of time helping homeowners there and in Melbourne in Izard County and Cushman in Independence County in the weeks that followed.

These events along with numerous reports of winds exceeding 60 miles per hour throughout the year created widespread roof stress that was not always obvious from the ground. Even if your home did not take a direct hit, strong winds can loosen shingles, damage flashing or lift ridge caps. If you live near any of these affected areas your roof may have experienced more strain than you realize.

When to Call a Professional

Catching roof problems early can save you thousands of dollars and protect the long-term health of your home. If you notice anything unusual, especially after major hail or wind events, scheduling an inspection is wise decision. At 2J’s Custom Roofs we take pride in serving our neighbors. We live here, worship here and raise our families here and all inspections are free with no obligation. When storms impact our communities, we show up to help.

Whether you need a small repair or a full replacement you can count on honest guidance and quality work from our local team that calls this same place home.