The Importance of Roof Damage Inspections
Sometimes it’s immediately obvious that there’s a problem with your roof, such as broken tiles on the ground after a storm or water leaking through your roof after heavy rain or hail storm. Importantly, it’s not always so simple to spot some of the signs of roofing damage, at first glance. Knowing how to check your roof for roofing damage is very important, as you’ll be able to identify serious problems quickly and stay one step ahead of maintenance concerns when they arise. Once you know how to perform basic checks, it’ll be easier to monitor the health of your roof and catch small problems before they escalate into expensive repairs!
Here are three simple steps for how to check your roof for roofing damage:
Step One: Inspect the Property Exterior
Examining the roof from the ground is the best place to start. You should be able to get a good idea of your roof’s condition this way, just make sure that you make a note of any areas that look abnormal or have clear signs of damage.
Slowly make your way around the exterior of your home, checking the ground and roof for signs of damage like fallen branches and broken/missing shingles. Keep an eye out for moss and algae growth on your roof, as it’ll need removing to prevent moisture damage. If the moss has been in place for a long time, then it may already have caused damage.
Next, you need to take a closer look at the shingles. If you’re not comfortable climbing up to your roof or you don’t have the correct safety equipment, then using binoculars will help you to identify problems. Check for aged, cracked, and sagging shingles, and any signs that the shingles are curling, buckling, or have lost their texture.
If any shingles are missing or have become damaged or separated, the inside of your home will be much more vulnerable to water damage.
Inspecting Metal & Flat Roofs
If your home doesn’t have a shingle roof, then inspecting it can actually be a lot easier. You can quickly inspect metal roofs for dents, holes, rust, and panel separation. For flat roofs, keep an eye out for tears in the material, holes, and standing water.
Step Two: Look Around the Attic
After checking the exterior, it’s time to inspect your attic. If your roof is damaged, then there’ll often be visible signs of the damage on the interior.
First check for any signs of active leaks – using a flashlight will help you to spot water quickly. Then check for holes, making sure that you inspect all parts of the roof carefully for signs of light leaking in.
Water rings on the roof, areas that are darker than others, and sagging are all clear signs that your roof has been damaged.
Step Three: Examine the Flashing, Guttering & Vents
Flashing is a thin metal strip that’s used to seal joints and keep water out of the interior of your home; vents, chimneys and other objects on your roof will have flashing. Using binoculars again if you have them, check the flashing on your roof for gaps, rust, or signs that it has moved – the flashing should be completely flush with the roof.
Next, check your vents for dents or other visible signs of damage. Make sure that they’re not blocked and are working properly.
Finally, you need to inspect your guttering. Blocked and damaged gutters can cause major damage to your roof, so it’s important to check them properly. Check whether the gutters are sagging or have become loose, inspect them for tears and holes, and make sure there are no blockages.
You should also check the gutters and downspouts for signs of granules that may have come off the shingles.
Bonus Tip: Keep an Eye on Your Energy Bill!
If you’ve noticed that your energy bill is a lot higher than it used to be, then roof damage could be to blame. Missing shingles or punctures in your roof will make it much easier for air to escape from the property interior, causing your HVAC systems to work harder and increasing your energy bills.
Discovered a Problem with Your Roof? Here’s What to Do Next…
In the unwelcome event that your roof inspection has highlighted areas of concern or obvious damage, then you need to act fast – small problems can turn into big problems very quickly! You may be able to take on some minor repairs like unblocking your gutters, but you’ll need to call in the professionals if there are any larger problems or you’re not 100% sure how to perform the repairs yourself.
Apex Exteriors – Roof Inspection Services
For professional roofing services in Chicagoland, call Apex Exteriors . Our skilled team can inspect your roof, right any wrongs, and even replace your roof if required – all quickly and affordably. If you’ve noticed any problems, big or small, please don’t hesitate to enlist our help.
Last Updated on November 3, 2020 by ApexRoofingServices
