It's a good idea to give your roof a cursory visual inspection once or twice a year so you can spot developing damage, but occasionally you need to schedule a professional roof inspection. Here are four reasons to schedule a roofing inspection.
1. After a Major Storm
Storms are one of the main causes of roof damage. If your area has recently experienced high winds or hail, then a full roof inspection needs to be performed. Hail damage, in particular, can be severe but almost undetectable if you don't know what to look for. This is because the strikes of hailstones cause something called compression damage on the shingles. This damage isn't visible to the naked eye but it destroys the structure of the shingles. A roof inspection can determine if there is any hidden storm damage on your roof so you can make repair plans.
2. When Purchasing a Home
A roof inspection is a must if you are purchasing a new home. The inspector will actually climb up on the roof to check the status of the shingles, flashing and seals, and ventilation. Most inspectors are also skilled at finding leaks in or around chimneys and other rooftop penetrations like skylights. They will also inspect the eaves and soffits for any damages or age-related issues. The inspection doesn't stop there, though. Roof inspectors also enter the attic so they can look for signs of current leaks or past leaks, as well as ongoing issues from roof damage like mold.
3. If There Are Visible Concerns
If you can see a potential issue with your roof, schedule a professional inspection just to be safe. For example, watch for sagging roof expanses or ridgelines, loose or missing shingles, and warping and curling. Sometimes these damages are localized and only require a small repair, but in other instances, they can be the result of major issues with either the shingles or the roof structure. An inspection can pinpoint the cause so you can make the best decision on how to proceed.
4. When Moss Has Grown on the Roof
A roof overgrown with moss can hide a lot of potential problems, such as damaged shingles and roof leaks. The best course of action is to have the roof professionally cleaned to remove the moss layer and then schedule an inspection to make sure there is no other damage. Moss, for example, can sometimes grow under and lift shingles. This leads to water damage beneath the shingles, but you may not notice the damage after cleaning because now the shingles are laying flat again. An inspector can find the damage so you can have it repaired.
Contact a new home roof inspection service if you need a set of professional eyes to check out your roof.
One day when we were all sitting in our living room, I thought I felt a drop of water fall onto my arm. At first, I figured it was my imagination, but when the second one fell, I knew we had an issue. Although it wasn't raining that day, it had rained the day before, so I started looking for the source of the problem. After looking in my attic, I could tell what the problem was, and I knew I had to fix it. I started looking for ways to stop the water immediately, but it just wasn't working for me. Fortunately, roofers came out, fixed the problem, and showed me what I needed to do to clean up the mess. Read more on this blog.