Essential Roof Safety Inspection Checks
Note your Roof’s Age
You don’t even have to go outside for this first one. If your roof is nearly the 25 year mark, it will probably be time to do some serious repairs, especially if you haven’t been good at keeping up with roof maintenance until now. The lifespan of a roof depends on a lot of factors like material, workmanship, and climate so your roof could last longer.
Search for Interior Signs of Roofing Water Damage and/or Attic Leakage
Even if you’re not getting water pouring onto your dining room table, your roof may be leaking and little leaks can eventually build up into big problems, including rotten home infrastructure and mold growth. Check all areas of your attic for any signs of leaks – either old or new – including warped wood, mold or mildew, or anything you store in the attic that appears to have been wet at some point.
Roof Safety Inspection Checks – Look for Light
Make sure you go into your attic on a bright sunny day. While you’re up there, hit the lights and give your eyes a second to adjust to the darkness. Now carefully scan the roof. Do you see any flecks of light peeking through from outside? If you do, you definitely need some roof repair. If light is getting through, so is water, even if you haven’t seen any signs of water inside your attic yet.
Search for Signs of Roof Sagging
If any part of your roof appears to be sagging downward more than another, this is another sign that you need to reach-out to Chicagoland’s top-reviewed Roofing Contractor – right away. A sagging roof can be a sign of a few different problems, all of which need to be treated in order for your home to keep its structural integrity. If you have a pair of binoculars, they may come in handy so you can get a closer look without going up on the roof.
Determine the Condition of your Roofing Shingles
Shingles should lay flush, be relatively straight, and evenly spaced. If you see shingles that have curling edges or that are buckled up in the center, these are areas where water can get in. Missing or cracked shingles are also a sign that you need repairs.
Inspect the Spots where Chimneys, Vents, and Pipes come from the Roof
Do you see any loose, crumbling, or missing material around these penetrations? This includes crumbling or missing bricks on the chimney. These are prime spots where water leaks can begin.
Ensure that your Gutters and Downspouts are Secure
To completely do this job, you would need to get up on the roof, but you can also do a perfunctory check from the ground by giving downspouts a little shake. If anything seems loose or rickety, get it fixed before a big storm overwhelms your system.
Roof Ventilation Damage Check
When your roof is not well ventilated, moisture and condensation will develop and damage your roof from the inside. Check your vents for any blockages like leaves, roof insulation, and moss. All of these will stop air from escaping, which will lead to serious issues with your roof. If you find any blockage, try and remove it, and the air will soon flow freely. It may be difficult to remove on your own, and if you cannot, make sure to contact Apex Exteriors; one of our professional technicians will come right over to examine the ventilation and provide a solution in no time.
Check the Roof Flashing
Flashing is the metal strips that act as a weather-proofing seal on your chimneys, satellite dishes, vents, skylights, and other objects on your roof. When the flashing is damaged, it creates gaps within the roof, allowing for water and debris to flush in. Our team at Apex Exteriors will be able to remove the damaged flashing, add new metal strips, and properly seal it so that there is no risk of water damage to your roof or the inside.
Look for Loose and Damaged Roof Tiles
Roof tiles are prone to cracking, loosening, and breaking. You can inspect any damage yourself if you feel comfortable climbing onto the roof. We generally do not recommend this, do not risk slipping, falling, and injuring yourself; contact Apex Exteriors, and we will bring the proper safety equipment to safely inspect your roof and examine the damages.
When You Experience Problems with your Roof, you Need the Most Trusted Roofing Company in Chicago
Those who live in Chicago and the surrounding area are no strangers to the changing and unpredictable weather. The performance of your roof should never be questioned, especially when you rely on it to keep you, everyone, and everything inside safe. A roof’s purpose is to act as a barrier between the exterior and interior of your property, and that is why a good roof is crucial. Choosing the best roofing company in Chicago will be the difference for the quality and performance of your roof. Something as small as a leak can cause large-scale damages and financial losses.
At Apex Exteriors, we know the importance of having a reliable roof over your head. We conduct complete inspections, ensuring that all aspects regarding the performance of your roof are met. Our entire team of roofing technicians has years of experience dealing with various types of roof systems and knowing how to identify when there is something that poses a risk to your home or building, extensive roof safety inspection knowledge & experience are of the many reasons we are one of Chicagoland’s top roofing companies.
Contact Apex Exteriors Today for Extensive Roof Inspections in Chicagoland
You want to ensure that the roof over your home and or commercial building is safe, secure, and undamaged no matter the stress that it experiences. Keep those leaks at bay and catch potential threats early with this handy guide to checking your roof. Roofs are constantly experiencing the worst out of Illinois weather, such as spring showers, intense summer heat, and horrible winter storms. Simple regular checks by a professional will help keep your home and building free from leaks and protected from unpredictable Illinois weather.
Last Updated on July 15, 2021 by ApexRoofingServices
