Storm season can span the entire year, which means that roofs need the strength to protect families and homes from extreme weather events. Scheduling regular professional roof inspections and roof maintenance can help keep your roof storm-ready.
Learn what professional roof inspections entail, what roof care homeowners may be able to DIY, and how preventive maintenance can help.
Saving Money with Roof Inspections
It’s easy to put off scheduling an inspection until there is obvious roof damage. In the long run, this strategy can end up costing you more money. The National Roofing Contractors Association claims that good roof system maintenance is the single most crucial element in determining the lifespan and cost of a roof system (following correct installation).
In other words, small-scale investments in roof inspections and upkeep can help you avoid the expense of a roof replacement. These preventative methods take care of minor concerns before they develop into major ones and cost money.
What Roof Inspectors Look For
What about the subtle hints? It’s simple enough to identify a leak from your ceiling or a tree branch stuck in your roof. Roofers are trained to spot minute indications of potential damage to roofs that may surface years before serious issues arise. Finding possible problems is crucial if your house must resist extreme weather conditions all year long. Three components of a standard roof inspection are listed below:
- Structural Exam: Are your roof’s “bones” in excellent condition? Any sagging roof, uneven roof planes, leaning external walls, or sagging interior ceiling or rafters will be pointed out by experts. Additionally, they’ll look for any signs of damage in your skylights, chimneys, vents, fascia, and soffits.
- What does the surface of your roof indicate about its condition? Moist or mossy places, fasteners that are broken or missing, and flashing are all warning signs of potential issues. A comprehensive examination of the shingles should be part of the inspection to make sure none are missing, damaged, or curling.
- Inspection of the Interior: The interior of your home can reveal information regarding the state of your roof. Roofing professionals will look for symptoms of moisture in the attic or interior walls, appropriate roof ventilation, sagging or discoloured ceilings, and other such indications.
After the Inspection
Following the examination, the roofing expert will communicate the findings verbally or in writing, including any recommendations for repairs. Since roof problems only get worse (and more expensive) with time, scheduling repairs sooner is nearly always preferable to scheduling them later.
Frequency of Inspection
A good guideline for roof inspections is once a year. Nevertheless, based on your location and the frequency of storms your roof experiences annually, you might plan further appointments. For instance, despite the fact that your Florida coast property seems to be unharmed by a hurricane, a roof check may still be necessary. Without a professional examination, extreme winds and weather could cause shingle lifting or minor leaks to go undetected.
Safety is of the utmost importance, and having specialists conduct inspections eliminates accidental roof damage and/or physical injuries because too much foot traffic may damage your shingles. There are easy steps you can take to select a reliable contractor, file an insurance claim, and start your roof repair if a storm damages your roof.
