A home’s roof requires regular inspection and maintenance to ensure that warranty requirements are maintained. Routine roof inspections tend to only need to be performed once a year or after a significant weather event allow you to learn of any current or potential issues with the roof that can be addressed before an emergency crops up.
Even if you believe your roof is strong and durable, it can still have issues that are only able to be identified by an expert during an inspection. Having your roof undergo an inspection can help it last as much as twice as long because possible issues are found and repaired before they have a chance to become much larger and more costly issues.
When You Need to Get a Roof Inspection
It is recommended to receive a roof inspection each year and after significant storms that consist of strong winds, hail, or flying debris. By getting routine roof inspections, you can help prevent structural damage to your house. Almost 50 percent of roofs must be prematurely replaced as a result of workmanship errors during the installation. With regular inspections, installation defects can be found early on and you can have the option to repair them before they get worse.
What to Expect During an Inspection
With a roof inspection, a roofer will follow a detailed and specific checklist to get an overview of the roof. The roofer will start inside in the attic, as this is the best location to find leaks early on. Moisture is often soaked up by the insulation in the attic, similar to that of a sponge. The water will then dry out prior to the next rain without a single mark being left on the ceiling. This can happen for several years before you ever are aware of an issue. By the time you notice a leak, it is far too late, as there is rotted wood, the decking has been damaged, and mold is likely present.
The roofer will also inspect the metal flashing, also known as the drip edge, where leaks can also occur. He or she will be keeping an eye out for black streaks on the soffit areas or fascia board.
Once the perimeter inspection is complete, the roofer will examine the roof. Some things that the roofer will look for include the following:
- Signs of leaks
- Rusted metal
- Cracks/missing mortar
- Penetrations
- Damage or deficiencies
- Damaged flashings
- Damaged drainage system
- Excess wear
- Signs of needed cleaning
- Signs of foot traffic
After the Roof Inspection
As soon as the inspection of the roof is complete, any problems that are existing will have a recommendation for repair made for them. Potential problem areas will be detailed for a future inspection. All roofing systems are different, which means that each system will have its own unique set of areas to inspect. Roof inspections tend to help with record keeping in the event a defect occurs.
If you are due for a roof inspection, get in touch with us at C & K Roofing.