Our roofs take care of us every day. We need to return the favor by doing a yearly roof inspection that will stop moisture damage and head off expensive repairs. Doing a yearly roof inspection is easy to overlook. This is a great preventative measure you can take to save money in the future. You should choose a warm day once a year and fix any problems you find. You don’t even need to go onto the roof. You can do a thorough inspection from the ground with a pair of binoculars.
What to Look for During a Roof Inspection?
If heights don’t bother you, you can get up close and personal with your ladder. Don’t rush up there just yet, the less time you spend on your roof, the safer it is for the roof, and you. Walk around the house and look for any potential problems. You should be in the lookout for cracked caulk or rust spots on the flashing, shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering, missing or broken shingles, cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes, or the accumulation of moss and lichen, which could be a sign the roof is decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic. If you come across piles of colored grit from asphalt roof tiles or the gutters, it’s a bad sign. These sand-like granules cover the surface of roof shingles and shields them from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Find out what the age your roof is to see if it’s near the end of its lifespan.
Easy Ways to Fix Roofing Problems
You should replace any loose, damaged, or missing shingles immediately. Popped nails need to be hammered back into place. If you are comfortable on the roof, you can replace shingles and caulk flashing yourself. A few shingle repairs should take you about half a day. Metal or vinyl flashing around the chimney, skylights and attic vents can be fixed with caulk if they have lost their seal. If flashing and vent boots have begun to rust, they will need to be replaced. Clearing moss from your roof can be done by applying a moss killer intended for roofs.
Watch for Early Signs Your Roof is Leaking
Scheduling a yearly roof inspection is a great idea, but problems can occur at any time. Some early signs of a roof leak are; dark areas on ceilings, peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs, damp spots alongside fireplaces and water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnaces. If you discover any of these signs, especially if the roof is old or there has been a storm with heavy rain, wind or hail. You will need a professional assessment.
Hiring a Professional Roofer
There are two good reason to hire a professional to inspect your roof. The first is because climbing a ladder and getting on the roof can be dangerous and second, there could be subtle signs of a problem that only an expert can notice. Make sure you are aware of roofing scams and do your homework. Only hire an established and reputable company.
Roof Inspections in Truckee, Mystic, Floriston, Olympic Valley, Alpine Meadows, Tahoe City, Dollar Point, Ridgewood, Carnelian Bay, Kings Beach, Eder, Norden, Soda Springs & The North Lake Tahoe Basin of California
Professional roof inspections provided by Nickerson Roofing can provide you with a roof inspection and save you time and the backache of doing it yourself. Call us today!
