When you've installed a brand-new roof on your home, it's essential to conduct inspections at least annually. Implementing a regular inspection routine, possibly bi-annual or at least once a year, enables you to identify potential problems and address them before they escalate into significant and costly repairs. Being a homeowner, you can often detect numerous underlying issues simply by taking a casual walk around your property, inspecting your roof from ground level, or noticing any signs of internal damage.
So, what's the best approach to examine your roof without having to climb up, and what can professional roofers like Matador Exteriors identify that might not be immediately apparent?
Guide to Homeowner's Roof Inspection
Here's an expanded list of elements you can evaluate regarding your roof from ground level or within your home:
Signs of Water Damage Look for discolored patches or circles on your home's interior ceilings or walls. This could be an indication that your roof has leaks, allowing water to infiltrate and cause damage.
Presence of Mold Take note of any clusters of spots in shades of black, dark green, brown, grey, or white inside your home. These could be a clear indication of mold growth, typically resulting from excessive moisture within your home, possibly originating from the underlayment beneath your roof.
Ceiling Sagging or Light Penetration If your home's ceiling appears to sag or if you notice light coming through the rafters, it's a potential sign that there's a hole in your roof or that moisture damage has led to the ceiling sagging. Both issues are severe and require prompt attention and repair.
What Might Not Be Immediately Apparent
At Matador Exteriors, we follow a comprehensive checklist to assess your roof from top to bottom, inside and out. It's strongly advised not to attempt climbing onto your roof to inspect for damage yourself. Instead, rely on professional assistance. Here are some common signs of damage a professional roofer might find on your roof:
Shingle Cracks and Blisters Shingle cracks and blisters are common signs of damage often resulting from excessive water accumulation behind the roofing layers. These signs can also emerge due to poor attic ventilation, causing an increase in roof temperature, thereby triggering shingle cracks and blisters.
Loose Nails Checking for loose nails is another crucial element. Moisture and high temperatures on the roof can cause nails to loosen, posing a potential hazard as they can cause roof components to separate and fail.
Granule Loss Roofing shingles have embedded mineral granules that shield them from direct sunlight and help maintain their color. Intense rainstorms can dislodge these granules, which can accelerate shingle wear. Therefore, it's crucial to check for granule loss during your roof inspection.
Damaged Flashing Flashing, a protective metal sheet placed beneath the shingles, prevents snow and water from seeping through openings and cracks in the roof. It's important to have your roof inspected for dented or missing flashing and repair it promptly to prevent more serious problems like wood rot and water infiltration.
Investing a substantial amount in your home's roofing should ensure its longevity. This durability, however, is guaranteed only with regular roof inspections, timely identification of potential damage, and immediate repairs. We trust that our comprehensive roof inspection guide will assist you in identifying any irregularities with your roof. If you suspect an issue, don't hesitate to contact us at Matador Exteriors. We're always ready to assist both online, over the phone, and in person.
Comments