People usually overlook roof inspection, but it is an essential preventive maintenance for your home. After all, it is your first line of defense against weather conditions such as rain, storms, snow, and extreme heat.
When roofs are not regularly inspected and maintained, you and your house could be facing issues such as leaks, mold growth, damaged insulation, etc. which could put the structural integrity of your roof into question.
That is why there is a need to inspect your roof twice a year during spring and fall, as the National Roofing Contractors Association suggests. So go ahead and pencil in roof inspection on your calendar to check if any roof problems need addressing.
Apart from your routine maintenance, roof inspection should also be done following a major storm to see if your roofing incurred damage from the inclement weather. It should also be done when you are preparing to sell your home.
Doing your own roof inspection
You can start by doing it yourself—from the ground using a pair of binoculars or using a ladder. You don’t have to walk on your roof, though.
What you need to look for is cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing, broken or missing shingles, worn-out rubber boots around the vent pipes, moss and lichen accumulation, among others.
With proper gear and tools, you can replace loose, damaged, or missing shingles by yourself, or hammer back popped nails back in place.
Professional roof inspection is still the best
But there may be damage underneath the exposed areas of your roof. Plus, safety is also an issue when you DIY your roof inspection and maintenance.
So it’s best if the inspection is done by an expert in roof maintenance. It saves you the trouble of going up the roof and putting yourself in danger. Moreover, they know what to do and have the right tools for every roofing problem that you may have.
By having a professional do your roof inspection, you get an accurate assessment of the status of your roof and what repair is needed, an estimate on your roof’s lifespan, and a certificate that states the integrity of your roof.
Part of the roof inspector’s service is to look for leaks, wear and tear, damage caused by windblown debris, and organic growth issues such as molds and moss.
His job will cover the structural or exterior, material, interior, and workmanship aspects of your roof.
In inspecting the roofing material, the inspector will check its general condition and look for wear and tear, damaged, curling, loose or missing shingles and/or fasteners, stains, moss, and rusts.
For the exterior roof structure, the professional will look for sagging, uneven or other deformation, deterioration, staining, damage or rot to flashing, soffit, or fascia, and gutter clog.
The inspection will also cover the roof’s interior condition. This will include water stains, mold, rot, cracks and other water leak signs in your ceilings, the attic, and interior walls.
Finally, inspectors will also examine the workmanship of your roof to assess risks of leaks and other roof damage.
After the inspection process, the inspector will give you a detailed report on the condition of your roof and what repairs are needed to keep it in prime condition.
As an important part of your house, your roof deserves no less. And for roofing inspections and maintenance services in the Bay Area, Yorkshire Roofing is there to help!
We have a proven track record and excellent reputation as we have been serving the roofing needs of Northern California since 1988.
Give us a call, and we’ll be on our way to keep your roof in tip-top shape!