The Hearld-News Home life
 |
| Flickr |
Many homeowners overlook their roofs, but it is important to inspect your roof twice a year in order to catch potentially costly problems early.
- Start with the interior: Before heading outside, check the interior of your home for signs pointing to potential roof damage. Look for marks on the ceiling which could indicate leaks. Attics should be inspected for wet insulation as well. Even if no visible water damage is found, a musty smell can signal moisture issues.
- Look at the roof: Using binoculars, check the exterior of the roof. Pay close attention to roof flashing and check to see if the flashing is damaged in any way; this can mean that moisture has settled in underneath. Sealant surrounding skylights or dormers can wear down, causing leaks. Check any masonry for spalling-porous materials can allow water to get it.
- Get on the roof: With an assistant, climb onto the roof while your partner holds the ladder. Carefully go around the perimeter of the roof and check for damaged shingles that are warped or coming apart, missing shingles, scrapes, or holes. If the roof is damaged at all, it needs to be fixed. Any issues found that are left alone can become much more expensive down the road. Some roof repairs are simply a matter of replacing a shingle using roof cement.
- Speak with a roofing expert: If you have any questions as to whether or not your roof needs to be repaired or replaced-call a roofing contractor. They will be able to analyze your roof and offer a professional opinion as to what the next steps should be.
- Don’t forget about the gutters: While inspecting the roof, look at the gutters and downspouts and check for damaged gutters. Damaged gutters can cause water to run down the side of your home which could cause foundation damage. Clear any leaves or other debris out of the gutters to allow rain water to go through the gutters successfully.