Your roof protects your home from all the elements, helps keep it warm, and plays a role in its structural support, ventilation, and energy efficiency. To ensure your roof continuously serves its purposes and you get the most for your money, yearly roof inspections are necessary. Here is what you should include and what a professional roofer will look for.
The Roof Checklist You Should Follow
Be diligent about performing outdoor inspections after a storm and annual assessments. If you’re looking for a DIY list of what you should look for, while keeping safety in mind, start with a ground-level roof inspection. Look around every side of your home for any missing, curling, or cracked shingles.
Check for any sagging that could indicate structural damage below the surface. Evaluate the fascia, flashing, and soffit for any damage. During this part of the inspection, assess your downspout and gutter for noticeable damage or blockages.
If you’re comfortable, this is a prime time for you to clean out your gutters. Wear gloves and remove any debris. Once done, you can use a garden hose to further remove any sticks, dirt, or other buildup.
Inside, you’ll want to watch for discoloration or water stains on your ceiling. Peeling paint or bubbling drywall also indicates a potential roofing problem. Your attic may have water stains, dark spots, or a moldy odor.
The Checklist a Professional Roofer Will Follow
When you schedule a routine inspection, the professional will assess everything you would in a home inspection and then more. Sometimes, part of their assessment will include looking in the attic if yours is accessible. Beyond that, the roofer will also go up on the roof and provide a thorough inspection, checking the quality of all roofing materials, including the seals around your chimney and roof vents, roof decking, and the underlying structures.
At the end of the inspection, the roofing specialist will let you know the results. You’ll know if any repairs are necessary and if your roof is approaching the end of its lifespan. If needed, you can then decide to repair or replace your roof. If you choose to have work done, the roofer can initiate a repair plan. The roofer can also clean your gutters at this time.
Your roof can last 20 to 40 years, or even longer, depending on the material, if you take care of it properly. Part of that includes regular inspections you perform yourself and professional ones. As a reminder, always do only what you feel comfortable completing and leave roofing specialists to do the rest.
Contact Home Roofing Solutions, serving Etna, ME and the general vicinity, today for a complete roofing inspection from a trained roofer.
