Getting your roof inspected on a consistent basis by professionals is essential. They’ll be able to spot issues before they fully develop, and they’ll also fill you in on the best course of action to take for repairs. But these professional inspections don’t occur on a consistent basis. It might be too costly to have a roofer out between each season to make sure things are OK. So what can you do?
Inspect the roof yourself of course! First, let’s start with a disclaimer – safety is paramount. Do not do anything that puts you in the way of harm. Take extreme caution every step of the way.
Tips for Inspecting Your Roof
Now that we got the safety warning out of the way, we can move on to the good stuff. These tips will help you learn what to look for and the steps to take when inspecting your roof.
Take a look:
- Observe from the Ground – This is the first step in any roof inspection. You will simply walk around your home and visually inspect the roof for various warning signs. You might be able to see cracking shingles, sagging, or even worn areas. If you need help seeing, don’t be afraid to break out the binoculars.
- Pay Attention to Leaves and Moss – For this step, you might need a ladder – just make sure you follow the directions and have it placed firmly on the ground before climbing up. There’s no need to walk onto the roof for this either, you should be able to spot piles of leaves, moss, and algae from far away. These buildups can cause costly leaks, so you’ll need to take steps to clear the debris, even if it means asking for help.
- Check Your Counter Flashing – While you’ve got the ladder out, you want to inspect this vital piece of your roof. The counter flashing is a metal strip installed in areas that need additional water protections. Check the flashing and make sure it isn’t damaged, and that the sealant around the edges is still in good repair. If it’s deteriorating, your roof is at risk from serious water damage.
- Missing Shingles, Damaged Shingles, and Granule Loss – Part of your inspection, both from the ground and on the ladder, should be to observe individual shingles. Missing and damaged shingles is the primary cause of roof damage. They also make your roof look ugly. On the other hand, if a shingle has lost its texture (known as granule loss) it isn’t providing the best protection for your home. If this is the case, they need to be replaced.
- Check the Gutters – Clogged gutters can lead to ice dams during the winter. This can in turn cause massive leaks in your home. While you’re cleaning the gutters, you can watch for signs of rot on the edge of your roof, the sign of bigger problems to come.
While you’re performing your inspection, these are the main things you should be on the lookout for:
- Missing, broken, damaged shingles
- Cracked caulking or rusting on the flashing
- Aging shingles (buckling, curling)
- Cracked rubber boots around ventilation
- Large collections of moss, leaves, or algae
- Grit from roof tiles in your gutter
Regular Inspections Save Money
Now, it’s obvious that many of the issues you might discover will need professional attention. Since your roof is so important, you want be vigilant and let a professional know as soon as a problem pops up. By inspecting your roof on a regular basis, you’ll save money in the long run. If you simply ignore it, you won’t be aware of an issue until it’s too late.
For more tips or to have a professional roofer address an issue you’ve noticed, reach out to National Home Improvement – expert Littleton roofers.
