Although you may not think about it, your roof takes a lot of abuse over the course of its lifespan. In particular, the weather we experience in New England can be very difficult. It isn’t totally uncommon for us to have 80-degree days and snowstorms within a week! As we approach spring, let our Connecticut roofers fill you in on what to look out for with a ten-point roof inspection checklist.
In-home inspection
Let us start this roof inspection checklist with the inside of your home. This part of the inspection is easy enough for you to do yourself without the help of Connecticut roofers!
Stains on your roof sheathing. When you are inside your attic, use a flashlight to take a close look at the roof boards above your head. Be on the lookout for water damage, this will often be dark, and the boards may be soft to the touch. This is a sign that there is a problem with your roof that is letting water through into your attic. Also, be sure to look for stains, mold, water damage on the ceilings inside your home – not just in your attic.
Rusty nails. This means that water is escaping through the shingles and dripping down the nail holes or that there is condensation in your attic.
Condensation or water leaks. This means that water is leaking through your roof and getting into the attic. Contact a local roofing contractor immediately to inspect where the leak is coming from. Condensation happens when hot air meets cold air, which usually means heat loss from inside your home.
Outdoor inspection from the ground
We’re now moving on to the outdoor portion of our roof inspection checklist. It is important to walk all-around your home and get a good view of your roof to assess it. Try backing up as far as you can while still in good viewing range to get an idea of the condition of your roof. We recommend looking from many different angles because shadows can change how you see the roof. Here are some of the signs you should be on the lookout for.
Dark spots. The black or gray streaks you see on your roof are typically thought of as dirt, but most of the time these spots are algae growth. You should have this mold cleaned if it sits too long it will work its way between your shingles and could damage the structural integrity of the roof. These dark spots on your roof could also mean a shingle manufacturer defect.
Missing or misplaced shingles. Missing shingles are hazardous because they expose your bare roof to the elements. This means that rain, wind, hail, and snow can get to your roof sheathing and cause damage. It is important to get these shingles replaced before your home suffers severe damage.
Unsecure gutters. As time passes, gutters will likely begin to pull away from your roofline. This is especially the case if your gutters are heavily weighed down by snow, ice, debris, and leaves. Make sure you clean your gutters and attach them properly. If you aren’t up to the job yourself, be sure to contact Connecticut roofers for help.
Trees that could endanger your roof. We commonly see roof damage due to trees that haven’t been properly trimmed. Assess the area around your home by looking for trees and branches that could fall on your roof. We highly recommend having a professional arborist visit your home to give you a price to trim troublesome trees. Trust us, this will likely be cheaper than having to repair extensive home damage from a tree falling on your house.
Rooftop inspection
Here we are, the last section of our roof inspection checklist. Let us start with this, never get on your roof if you don’t feel comfortable or if it isn’t safely walkable. Your safety is the most important thing to consider for your roof inspection. If you haven’t had any formal training, we recommend to not walk your roof and contact Connecticut roofers to inspect it for you. Here are some things they should look for while inspecting your roof at roof level.
Cracked, loose, worn, curling, and deformed shingles. Any of these signs typically mean that the roof is at the end of its lifespan and will require replacement soon. Contact licensed and insured Connecticut roofers for a roof replacement quote.
Worn down roof boots. It is quite common to see roof boots that are worn down and don’t create a good seal to avoid water leaking into your home. Fortunately, you can typically have these replaced to alleviate the problem without roof replacement. However, look for other signs of roof wear that may mean you need Connecticut roofers for further assistance.
Flashings at siding, chimneys, vents, and fans. Here is the last item on our roof inspection checklist. It isn’t uncommon for flashing to be improperly installed or just be worn down enough to cause a roof leak. This can typically be fixed by roof repair.
There you have it, your Ten Point Roof Inspection Checklist! Although it may slip your mind easily, you want to conduct yearly roof inspections to ensure you avoid critical damage to your roof. Feel free to download our safe Ten Point Roof Inspection Checklist for you to use and make notes on. Your roof health is the first line of defense your home has against the elements. If you have any questions or would like to address any damage you find with our roof inspection checklist, be sure to contact our Connecticut roofers for assistance.
Click the link below to download our Connecticut roofers roof inspection checklist.
It is important to hire a professional roofing contractor for your home maintenance. All situations can vary greatly, this article is meant as a guide to assist you in situations that may occur. This is not a complete list or statement of every possible scenario that could happen. We are not to be held liable for any damage or injury sustained directly or indirectly from the information provided in this or any of our other articles/posts.
