Your Roof Inspection Checklist

Always inspect your roof after a storm to ensure no damage has occurred.

Now is the time to determine if you need to replace or repair your roof – before winter sets in. Don't wait for the snow, heavy rains, and winds to make that decision for you. 

Many things can affect a roof's lifespan. Location and materials make a difference in longevity; take them into consideration in your assessment. If you live in a wet, humid region and there are plenty of shade trees around your property, your roof may suffer from moss growth. If you live in a drier climate, your roof is probably not a stranger to hail or heat. Windy conditions also put constant stress on your roof.

Here is a list that may help you decide if your roof needs repair or replacing:

• Blistered interior walls or ceiling
• Dark spots on the ceiling or attic spaces
• Obvious leaking in the interior after a hard rain
• Sagging or rotten soffits
• Curling or cracked shingles
• Signs of algae buildup or otherwise "dirty" shingles
• Rising energy costs over a typical winter (without the utility company raising their prices)
• Signs of decay in shingles, sheathing, and soffits
• Water entering and possibly running down walls and entering the soffit

Once you have determined if the roof needs repairs or even replacing, a few simple things will extend the life of your roof for years to come:

•  Regularly inspect your roof for small problems and damages and immediately make repairs. This is especially true for a roof that has little or no slope. Inspect gutters, skylights, and the insulation regularly to be sure of a secure attachment to the roof deck.
• Inspect your roof after wind damage. Lost nails, loosened nails, or even missing granules can cause further damage to the roof when that stronger wind comes along.
• Check your roof for weather damage. Most roofing materials do suffer damage over time by exposure to various weather conditions, like large snow accumulations, hailstorms, sun damage, pollutants in the air, and chemicals in the air or rain. Again, regular inspections for minor damages will save in big repair problems later.
• Another item to check for is problems with flashing. The purpose of flashing is to create a water-tight boundary between roof sections, roofing materials, and other parts of the house. Bad design or installation can cause this problem, and if you are a new homeowner, this will assuredly be on your checklist for your inspector.

Each major cause of roof damage can be minimized with regular and careful inspections before the heavy weather sets in. Give immediate attention to any problems that may arise and cause a simple repair to become a full-on replacement.  Always seek help and advice from a professional roofing contractor or inspector.

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