Your roof is the protector of your home. But the truth is that many homeowners don’t give it the attention it deserves until a problem occurs, such as water leaking onto the furniture or floor. This can potentially lead to mold infestation and compromise structural integrity. There is even more trouble if water seeps down into the electrical system. Wires can short or catch fire. To avoid spending thousands of dollars on home repairs, you must catch roofing problems early before they have a chance to really get out of control and wreak some major havoc.
Inspect Your Roof From Inside Your Attic
You may believe that you must climb a ladder to inspect your roof. But you can learn much of what you need to know by going into your attic. When the sun is bright, turn off all lights and look up at your rafters. You shouldn’t see any light coming through at all. If you do, you can best believe that water is finding its way inside your home.
Look for Stains on the Wood Beams and Ceiling
No matter how it runs, water will always leave a trail. Though this is a pain, it actually makes your job easy. Once the water penetrates your roof, it continues to drip onto the beams. Then, it seeps down through the ceiling below the attic. Look for stains or dark streaks. If you see them, moisture is definitely inside your home. Mold can develop, drywall will collapse, and the floors can cave. This can eventually make your home uninhabitable.
Go Outside and Inspect Your Roof With Binoculars
Go outside with a pair of binoculars and inspect your roof from your driveway, yard, or the street. All your shingles should lie flat. Your roof is no longer protecting your home if you notice that any of your shingles are curling, missing, or buckling.
Look in Your Gutters or on the Ground Near Your House for Granules
Asphalt granules protect your shingles from sun damage. Your roof is in trouble the moment you spot a sand-like substance clogging the gutters. Keep an eye out for piles of it on the ground or bald spots on your shingles, too. You must consider replacing your shingles at this point.
Make Sure There Are No Cracks in the Flashing
The flashing seals the cracks around skylights, ventilation pipes, and chimneys. As time goes on, the tar or caulking holding the flashing tight will degrade, letting water slide right into your home. Structural integrity weakens. This problem alone causes some of the most expensive structural repairs. Use your binoculars to check these areas of your roof. You have a serious issue that means that you need to act fast if you see gaps in your roof where the chimney, ventilation pipe, or skylights meet.
Try to run through these quick checks at least once every season, especially right after a severe storm rolls through. Spending twenty minutes checking your roof right now keeps your home dry and your money in the bank. If you have concerns or require roof inspection services, contact Home Roofing Solutions in Etna, ME.
