What should I look for when inspecting my roof?

25 May What should I look for when inspecting my roof?

Not all roofing problems can be averted but you can always be a little proactive to limit the extent of damage. Serious roofing problems are often due to negligence and lack of maintenance.

It is recommended that you inspect your roof at least once every few months, the more frequent the better. If you have a fear of heights or you don’t like the idea of climbing onto your roof, then you can hire a roofer or get someone you know to do the inspection for you.

Once you are up on the roof, you need to look for signs that will indicate some damage or problem.

Here are some tips to help you with roof inspection.

·      Look for cracked caulk or any kind of rust on the flashing.

·      See if there are any missing or damaged shingles. If you have some kind of membrane roofing then you must look for seams that may have worn out or some peeling. If you have shingles, then see if they have blistered, curled or buckles. Some shingles may be broken or they may look aged and cosmetically damaged.

·      Look for lichen, moss and algae. Growth of algae isn’t always indicative of a damaged or deteriorating roof but it is a concern. Black stains aren’t always a threat as they are simply cosmetic in nature, in most cases. But you should worry if there is some substantial moss. This is a sign of a decaying roof. The decay may not be apparent on the surface but the roof is decaying underneath.

·      Then there are some obvious signs of damage such as a dent, crack, a small crater, chipping and peeling and discoloration in certain parts which indicate natural deterioration of a roof.

·      You may find some grit in the gutters. This indicates the wearing off the granules on the shingles which are the protective coating against ultraviolet rays.

·      Leaks are the most common problem with roofs and you must be able to pre-empt such instances or at least spot the signs sooner than later. Look for any dark areas on the roof or the ceilings just beneath the roof. You may spot some peeling paint, damp spots on the roof or on the ceilings and walls, and water stains on pipes. All these are signs of an impending leak or an obvious leak.

If you find anything concerning while inspecting your roof, contact your roofer immediately. Don’t allow the problem to get worse.

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