Everything You Should Learn about Roof Inspections

Oct 18

The first line of protection against weather extremes and storms is your home's roof regardless of whether there's a foot or more of snow falling from the sky over night or the force of high winds ripping through the town. If homeowners trust their roof to the point of ignoring any leaks until they notice it this could be a sign that there's more serious problems. To prevent any further issues make sure that your roof is inspected often.

Roof inspections should never be underestimated, but they can save your from expensive and long-term damages that may seem impossible to prevent.

When should Roof Inspections be Conducted?

A lot of homeowners understand the importance of having an inspection of their roof after the occurrence of a hailstorm to determine whether their roof has been damaged. But, this isn't the only opportunity to consider the health of your roof.

The fall season is probably the most important time of the year to have your roof inspected prior to the cold winter weather is set to arrive. It is essential to keep your schedule. It is crucial to be punctual. It is dangerous to try to repair a roof that is frozen. Roof problems discovered too late in the year may require attention in spring.

Another rationale for an autumn inspection is that repairs to the roof, such as moss and lichen treatment, must be initiated in the fall, and finished the following spring. The treatment methods used to fight the invasive species can take up to 180 days to complete. If moss or lichen are found in an inspection of the roof in autumn, there is still time to remove it before the winter months arrive. It is possible to continue the treatment through the winter months by the dead lichen being swept off or washed away in spring.

Professional vs. Homeowner Inspections

Many roofers can spot roof problems , but they don't get onto the roof. Other sorts of damage, in contrast aren't as obvious to the untrained eye this is the reason it's so important to seek professional advice. If your roof is less than 5 years old, there ought to be no evidence of leaks inside. A quick inspection from below is enough. A roofing professional should examine the roof for other problems.

Contact a reputable roofing company such as alliance exteriors to conduct a periodic roof inspection particularly if your roof is more than 10 years old. If you're scheduled for a roof inspection with the expectation that your roof has been damaged in any way contact your insurance company prior to the inspection to determine if they will pay the cost of repairs. An experienced roof inspector will inspect the roof and provide a recommendation to your agent.

What to Expect From Roof Inspections by professionals

An inspector of the roof will look for leaks, excessive wear and tear windblown damage, organic growth concerns and issues that could have occurred during shingle installation or subsequent repairs. A roof inspection covers four elements of the structure material, interiors, and work.

Inspections of the Soffit and Fascia and gutters: The inspector will look over the roof to find uneven roof surfaces, as well as signs of sliding. The inspector will also look at the fascia, gutter, and soffit. At this stage, masonry chimneys must be inspected for signs of cracks, crumbling grout and damage to chimney caps. The attic venting could be examined by an inspector. Insufficient venting could cause heat buildup and water damage, which can reduce the lifespan of your roof and increase the chance of ice dams.

Inspectors will search for curled or missing roofing shingles, as well as corrosion and stains. Flashing or fasteners could be absent. Shingle aggregate found in roof valleys as well as at the gutter downspouts' bottom suggests that roofs are approaching the final days of use. Inspectors will examine the rubber boots and seals surrounding vent pipe pipes for any signs of deterioration.

Roof leaks could cause the destruction of your home. Inspectors will look for mould and water stains in the attic and interior walls.

Workmanship Inspection A skilled inspector will inspect your roof for any problems that could lead to leaks or other damage to the roof. An indication of trouble is inadequate flashing around roof openings, such as skylights, vent pipes or chimneys. Skylights are also a problem.

Checklist for the Exterior Roof Area

Roof inspectors may notice an unusual thing when inspecting the exterior roofing. This could require an additional inspection, even if it's not mentioned below. It could mean that they have to remove an area of a roof to examine what's beneath. Our roof inspectors have a vast experience in identifying potential issues that could need major repairs in the future. It is better to address these issues early, before they get more serious.

Here's a list of issues which can be identified and fixed during an external roof inspection.

Shingles that have been twisted, curled, fractured, or split have blisters that are severe.
Roof roofing shingles that are not present or loose, along with the hips and ridgelines can cause roof shingles get damaged.
Broken seals in connection places on the shingles
Shingles with lots of granule shedding
Eaves and gutters that aren't have enough overhangs for shingle
Nails that are visible or removed
Nails that have appeared as a result of being installed incorrectly.
Flashing isn't an option.
Flashing indicates that more caulk is required to properly protect the area.
Metal flashings that have been corroded or has extensive corrosion
Chimneys with cracks
Rubber boots with vent pipes which are damaged or worn out
If you get your hands on the vent pipes, they simply move (this may indicate dry rot underneath the roof surface)
Gutter and downspouts damaged
Fascia board with rotting or damaged surface
The siding extends above the roofline

Roof Evaluation

After the inspection, you'll get an in-depth report of the state of your roof and the repairs are required to ensure it's in good working order. Repairs should be completed as soon as possible as possible, and in the best case scenario before snow begins to fall. If your neighborhood is covered in snow, you'll know that your roofing is in great condition.