Things to Look Out For In a Roof Inspection

July 30, 2019

Inspecting your roof can be a daunting task that needs to be done by every responsible homeowner. These inspections can uncover problems before they even become a threat to the integrity of your roof and by extension, your home. Knowing what to look out for during a roof inspection can save you time and money down the line.

Remember, patching thumb sized hole is easier and cheaper than fixing a waterfall flowing into your home from a hole the size of a fist.

Over time it is normal for a roof to age and deteriorate but certain things will make your roof deteriorate faster. Knowing what these things are will help you take note of their presence on your roof and help you to create a plan of action to fix those issues in the future.

Know What to Look Out For

Going up on your roof and looking for holes may be the easiest way to conduct an “inspection” . However, an inspection looking for nothing but holes is a plan with a lot of holes in it as well. You need to be aware of some signs of wear and tear that aren’t just holes.

Holes

Starting things off, we have the usual hole in your roof. This is what every homeowner tends to look for as they start regular roof inspections. This is the most obvious problem as holes are almost always linked to leaks in the home.

Plant Life

Specifically, weeds that can grow on your roof and large overhead trees. Algae and mold are considered weeds of the roof and will corrode your roof as their roots dig into it. Trees can cause damage to your roof directly by dropping branches on top of it. Leaves also clog up downspouts and gutters.

Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts help water get off of your roof quickly and avoid it from pooling on or in your roof. Clear gutters and downspouts also slow down the growth of roof weeds because there’s less water on the roof.

Missing or Damaged Pieces

Having a few pieces of your roof missing is something that should always be noted down. These pieces were there for a reason and they should be replaced as soon as possible, otherwise the rest of the roof can suffer and end up failing in a chain reaction. These include shingles and tiles on your roof. They can also buckle, break and curl over time so these shingles should also be noted down for replacement in the future.

Roof Sagging

Sagging roofs quickly deteriorate over time as water pools in the sagging areas. As the water weighs down on your roof it will eventually break through and it will not only create a hole the size of your fist but a hole that could be the size of your fridge. If you’re roof looks like it’s starting to sink into your home, it is a clear sign that your roof needs professional help at this point and scheduling a meeting with one can save you a lot of grief down the line.