Exteriors

Roof Inspection – What to Consider

Keeping your roof in tip-top condition should be an important part of your home maintenance as a homeowner. Your roof will be assaulted daily by the elements and the bright sunshine as well as rain, hail, and snow can begin to deteriorate the roofs conditions.

Without intervention, the conditions of the roof can deteriorate to the point of needing important repair work or even replacement. Once the roof is no longer keeping the rain and moisture out of your home, the interior structure is at risk. Avoid all this by following the simple guide to practical roof inspections.

You don’t have to be a professional to tell a roof is in good working order, but you may have to call in a professional if the damage is apparent but you can’t determine the extent. As you execute the following inspection, jot down some notes to discuss with your professional, should you feel it necessary to call one.

Here are some of the more important areas of the roof that will require close regular inspection.

Exterior Roof

Pull out a pair of binoculars from your bird-watching pack and get a closer look for the details, where the real destruction likes to hide. Get a good vantage point and begin looking over the roof from one end to the other. Pay special attention to these details.

Shingles

They should all look neat and uniform, look out for curls, bubbles, cracks and other signs of disrepair.

Nails

Nails should be driven down flush with the roofing materials. Look out for exposed heads.

Structural irregularities

The roof should be perfect in its dimensions, sagging, pooling water and such are all bad signs.

Flashing

It should be snug and in good conditions. If rusty loose flashing appears, moisture can enter around the chimney vents and other skylights.

Interior Roof

Sometimes the damage to the exterior can be subtle, but there are signs that can be found in the interior that indicate damage to the outside. Take a closer look at these specific areas before calling in a professional inspection team.

Attic

Attic leaks that will happen will most often happen in the attic. Take a look at each inch of the roof for dark spots that can indicate moisture. If it has rained recently these may even be damp. Prod gently at wet looking wood with a screwdriver, rotting wood will give way easily and indicate a prolonged condition.

Ceilings

Examine the ceilings for spots of discoloration, this shows the passing of water. There may also be bubbling in the plaster or wallpaper that is a sign of water damage.

Professional Inspection

The regular inspection should ensure that all major home repair works are well-anticipated. Nevertheless, many potential hazards may be subtle and only the professional eye of a roof repair company will reveal the menace.

Bring along the notes you have been keeping from your regular inspections. After the professional has completed his inspection, be prepared to discuss the findings and decide the best course of action for preserving your roof.

Some of the things your professional roofer will look for include:

Mold

This is a sign of moisture entering and probably for a prolonged time now, Mold along the chimney and attic insulation is a bad sign.

Gutter Residue

A professional inspector may decide to check the residue in your gutters. If there is a presence of asphalt granules this could be a sign of deteriorating shingles and replacement needs.

Loose Seams

The seams along the roof are typically made of metal and therefore subject to the temperature changes in your regions. If there are extremes of hot and cold these can become loose quickly and begin to lose their functionality.

Final Notes on Roof Inspections

Take full advantage of your professional inspection and ask as many questions as you can about your roof, structure, and plans for preservations. It is always a better idea to apply small repairs before bigger repairs are required. Nevertheless, a professional may also advise that you save cash by getting a damaged roof replaced or partially replaced. This will avoid a long stream of repairs that will only prolong the inevitable.

As always, practice extreme caution when performing inspections and don’t attempt moving about on the roof without proper protective gears.

If you have any questions, please ask below!