Everything You Have to Know about Roof Inspections
The first line of defense against extreme weather and storms is your home's roof, whether it's an inch or more of snow falling from the sky over night or high winds tearing through town. If homeowners put their faith in their roof and ignore it until the very first evidence of a leak appears within the ceiling, they could already be dealing with much more serious concerns--unwanted structural issues and the development of mould or damaged insulation to name some. To prevent any further issues make sure that your roof is inspected regularly.
However roof inspections are underestimated however they are essential and could prevent your home from a long and hectic damage that seems uncontrollable at the end.
When should roof inspections be done?
Many homeowners know the importance of an inspection of their roof after a hailstorm to determine if their roof has been damaged. However, this is not the only time to think about your roof's health.
Fall is the best time to get your roof inspected before the cold winter months set in. It is important to keep your schedule. When it's too cold out the new shingles will not be properly secured, which could affect the success of new roof installation and maintenance, such as shingle replacement. It is dangerous to try to repair a frozen roof. Roof issues discovered too late in the year could require attention during spring.
Another rationale for an autumn inspection is that repairs to the roof, such as the treatment of lichen and moss should be completed in the fall and completed next spring. It can take between 180 and 180 days before treatments become effective against either one of these pests. If moss or even lichen are discovered in the fall roof inspection it is possible to get rid of it before the winter weather arrives. It is possible to continue the treatment during the winter months with the dead lichen being swept off or washed away in spring.
Professional Vs. Homeowner Inspections
Without going to the roof, many people will notice obvious roofing issues like the shingles being damaged or missing. However, other types of damage are harder to spot, so it's important to seek professional advice. If your roof is relatively old (less than 5 years old) and there isn't indications of leaks inside and it hasn't exposed to big weather events in the past time that it was examined and inspected visually from below and a quick check for leaks in your attic will be enough. A roofing expert should inspect the roof for other problems.
Alliance Exteriors is a reputable roofing company that can carry out a seasonal roof inspection, particularly if your roof is more than 10 years old. If you're scheduled for a roof inspection with the belief that your roof is damaged in some manner, call your insurance provider beforehand to see if they'll pay the cost of repairs. The insurance company will assign a competent roof inspector check the roof and draw the decision.
What to Expect From Roof Inspections performed by professional roofers
An inspector of the roof will look for leaks or abnormal wear and tear, windblown debris damage, organic growth concerns, and difficulties that may have arisen during the installation of shingles or repairs that follow. Structure, materials, interiors, and workmanship are the four aspects of a roof examination.
Inspections of the Soffit, Fascia and the gutters: The inspector will inspect the roof for any uneven roof surfaces or indications of sliding. He or she will also look at the fascia, gutter, and the soffit. At this stage the chimneys made of masonry must be examined for cracks, crumbling grout or damages to chimney caps. The attic venting could also be checked by the inspector. Insufficient venting could cause the buildup of heat and damage from water that can decrease the life of the roof and increase the chance of ice dams.
The inspector will look for missing, loose or curly shingle, along with stains, moss, rust, and missing flashing or fasteners. Shingle aggregate found in roof valleys and at the bottom of the gutter downspouts indicates roofs are nearing their final days of use. Vent pipes and rubber boots will be examined for any gaps or signs of deterioration by the inspector.
As roof leaks ultimately cause damage to your property The inspector will search for water-based stains, mould or rot as well as other indicators of water penetration in the interior ceilings, attic and walls inside.
Workmanship Inspection: An experienced inspector will examine your roof for flaws in the structure that could lead to leaks or other damage to your roof in the future. A red flag would be insufficient flashing around roof openings, such as vent pipes, skylights or chimneys. Skylights are also a problem.
Checklist to the Exterior Roof Area
Roof inspectors could spot an unusual thing when inspecting the exterior roofing. This could require an investigation that is more thorough even though it's not noted below. Taking a section of a roof covering off to inspect the underneath is an example of this. Roof inspectors are adept at finding potential issues and making recommendations for fixes. These concerns are better dealt with early on before they turn into a greater problem.
The following is a list of some of the issues that are analyzed and identified when conducting a thorough exterior roofing inspection
- Brittles can grow on shingles that have been bent, curled or fractured.
- Roof roofing shingles that are not present or loose, as well as hips or ridgelines could cause roof shingles to get damaged.
- Broken seals in connection points on shingles
- Shingles that have a lot of loss of granules
- Eaves and gutters that do not give adequate overhang for shingle
- Nails that are visible or have been removed
- Incorrectly installed nails can cause nail growth.
- There is no flashing.
- Flashing indicates that more caulk is needed to cover the area.
- Metal flashings that have been corroded or has extensive corrosion
- Chimneys with cracks
- Vent pipes in rubber boots which are damaged or worn out
- When you touch the vent pipes, they will simply move (this could indicate dry rot underneath the roof surface)
- Gutters and downspouts that have been damaged
- Fascia board that is damaged or rotting
- The siding extends above the roofline to the point of its apex
Evaluation of Roofing
After the inspection, you'll receive a detailed report about the roof's condition and any repairs that may be required. Repairs should be completed promptly and preferably prior to the snow begins to fall. If snow is covering the area around you, it can be an indication that your roof is in good condition.
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