6 Checklist Items for a Roof Inspection
You are not alone if you often forget to inspect your roof during home maintenance checks. A leaky roof catches most people by surprise because they forgot to check the roof for damage. The roof is your home's first defense against extreme weather conditions. Therefore, you should regularly inspect it to repair any damages before they cause problems.
A leaky roof can cause mold growth, damaged insulation, and structural damage to your house. So, it is important to be on top of inspections to avoid such problems. Apart from after storms, it would also help to inspect your roof before winter for timely repairs. Discover 6 things to include in your roof inspection checklist below.
1. Check for Damaged Shingles
Most water leaks result from damaged shingles. If you have clay or slate tiles on your roof, check them for cracks, chips, and breakage. For wooden or wood shake shingles, look out for signs of wood rot. On the other hand, check for corrosion, stress wrinkling, and rust if you have a metal roof. It would be best if you also looked out for loose or worn-out roofing and missing shingles.
Afterward, check your gutter for shingle pieces. Asphalt shingles break down into granules that look like gravel as they age. Therefore, look out for such granules in your gutters if your roof has asphalt shingles. If you find many shingle pieces in your gutters, it means your roof is quite worn out and may require a replacement.
2. Check for Algae, Moss, and Leaf Piles
Algae feed off the limestone in asphalt shingles, weakening their structural integrity. Eventually, some shingles may fall off. Additionally, damage from algae may affect your roof's ability to reflect sunlight, weakening its thermal insulation properties.
On the other hand, moss soaks up moisture like a sponge. Too much moisture can cause the wood under your roof to start rotting and molding, thus weakening your roof. Leaf piles may also tray moisture which can seep under the shingles or even into the roof.
You can apply moss killer to your roof to get rid of moss. If the damage from moss and algae forces you to have your roof re-shingled, consider investing in algae and moss-resistant shingles.
3. Check for Warped Shingles
Hot air from the attic may warp asphalt shingles. Warped shingles can cause poor ventilation. They may also let in water, causing a leaky roof. If you find that more than a third of the shingles on your roof are warped, you should consider re-shingling the entire roof.
4. Check Your Chimney
When inspecting your chimney, look out for cracks. Remember to also check for anything growing in the mortar. If anything is growing there, that's a sign that moisture is starting to seep into your chimney.
5. Check the Drainage
Next, you should inspect the gutters, downspouts, and drainpipes. If you find that a lot of water has accumulated on the drainage system, that may be a sign that it needs to be cleaned out. However, if your drainage is clean, you may need to snake the drainpipes and downspouts to pull out or break any obstructions.
6. Check the Attic
Inspecting your attic is a good way to spot signs of water leakage from the roof. When inspecting the attic, you may not be able to see damage that is otherwise out of sight from the exterior. While inspecting the attic, check the rafters for signs of mold or rot. This can also clue you in on the existence of water damage to your roof.
A roof inspection is a necessary home maintenance check. Therefore, try and inspect your roof a least twice every year. If you are afraid of heights, you can hire a roofing contractor to inspect your roof. The best thing about hiring a roofing contractor is they may spot damages that you may overlook and repair them before they cause problems.
If you're looking to have your roof inspected, look no further. Contact us today for an expert roof inspection, repair, and replacement services.
