Northern Delaware weather can have a negative impact on your roofing system, from humidity to hail and heavy rain and snowstorms to high winds. As a result, you need to keep an eye on your roof between seasons with regular roof inspections. Roof inspectors check for issues, perform necessary repairs, and optimize your roof’s performance, ensuring your home can stand up to whatever Mother Nature sends your way.
Here, we look at how roof inspections keep your roof and home safe, explaining the why, what and when of the inspection process.
Why are Roof Inspections So Important?
Roof inspections are your best defense against the elements. Instead of waiting until you experience issues like leaks, pests, or algae, taking a proactive approach helps prevent issues from happening in the first place. By arranging professional roof inspections, you can spot roofing issues in their initial stages, invest a minimal amount of money to repair the issue and avoid far more costly damage in the future. Roof inspections make sure your roof functions properly to avoid leaks, structural damage, and moisture damage like mold that impacts your home’s interior. It can also help prolong the life of your roof, saving you money in the long run.
What Does a Roof Inspection Include?
Roof inspections look at your home inside and out, including the following:
Structure
Your roof’s structure ensures it maintains its integrity and can manage the weight of the roof as well as additional weight such as snow. In this case, signs the inspector looks for would include:
- Sagging
- Damage to the rafters or trusses in the attic
- Damaged or missing collar or rafter ties
- Tilting of the exterior walls
Exterior Roofing Components
Your inspector goes up on your roof to look at the exterior components of your roofing system, including parts you might not realize impact your roof’s structure and function such as:
- Soffit, fascia, and eavestroughs
- Skylights
- Chimneys
- Vents
- Grout and seals
Roofing Materials
These are the most visible materials on your roof that can show common signs of damage, including:
- Staining, moss, algae, and signs of water damage on your shingles
- Missing shingles or other materials, depending on your roof type
- Leaks, cracks, or pests impacting the flashing underneath the roofing material
Interior
Interior inspections reveal issues not detected outside. Water is tricky and can leak into your home even though there aren’t obvious signs of damage on the exterior. An inspection of your attic, ceilings and walls will find telltale signs of roof issues such as water stains, wood rot in the attic, mold (or even a musty, moldy smell), holes, tiny light rays in the attic, and pests.
When Do You Need Roof Inspections?
You should have your roof inspected every spring and fall to look for damage that occurs between the cold and warm seasons. If this isn’t possible, arranging an annual roof inspection either in the early spring or fall will detect damage that should be repaired before the full brunt of the winter or summer weather arrives. That said, there are also specific occasions you should call in the experts, including:
- Leaks in the ceiling, especially on your top floor
- Following a major storm with high winds, hail, or heavy rain or snow
- Before listing your home for sale
- When refinancing your home
- You purchased a home without an inspection
- Your insurance provider requires it
What Results Does the Roof Inspector Provide?
Your roof inspector provides you with a report explaining what damage they spot now, the recommended repairs (usually along with the costs), and a list of likely damage that will occur in the near future. This includes expectations for the life of your roof based on the current condition. Inspection reports allow you to prioritize the repairs and set aside money so you’re prepared for a total roof replacement when the time comes.
What Happens Without Annual Roof Inspections?
The longer you wait between roofing inspections, the more serious and costly roof damage becomes. As mentioned above, your roofing system consists of several components working together to protect your home. It just takes one component to fail to cause considerable damage. Even something that seems harmless, such as cracking sealants, can cause leaks that infiltrate your attic, slowly damaging the wood, allowing mold to grow, and providing a convenient entry for pests. Regular roof inspections protect your home and ensure your roof is sound.
Although you might feel you can inspect your roof on your own, it is not only dangerous but also requires expertise to identify issues you might not recognize.
Learn more about our roof repair services or schedule an appointment with Best Choice Roofing in Northern Delaware today!
