How to Conduct Your Own Annual Roof Inspection
As a homeowner, you are the first line of defense in protecting and preserving your roof.
Yet, a surprising number of homeowners don’t know that an annual roof inspection is a good idea. After all, when you bought your home, it’s unlikely anyone handed you an Owner’s Manual for your home and all the systems within. The good news is you don't need to hire a roofing company to inspect your roof every year. You yourself can make an evaluation of your roof to uncover obvious signs of distress and decide if it's time for a more professional inspection.
How to Inspect Your Own Roof
Many homeowners don’t inspect their roofs simply because they are hard to access. Some are harder than others, depending on the style of the house and the pitch and height of the roof. Here are three ways to get a look at the state of your roof:
Native Eye and Binoculars – Walking around the perimeter of your home with binoculars, you should be able to spot obvious issues, such as moss growing on the roof or fallen branches after a storm. If your home is situated on sloping land, some portions of the roof may be easier to inspect than others. This option is limited: you will not be able to conduct a detailed analysis of the state of the shingles or flashing. Bear in mind that if you do spot loose or bald shingles, it’s likely the problem is even worse than what you can see.
Ladder – You can clearly inspect more of the roof if you're able to access it via a ladder and walk around. However, it’s important to use good judgment! Do not attempt going up on the roof if the roof is pitched at a high angle, there are slippery conditions, or there is visible roof damage making it unsafe.
Drone – Your annual roof inspection gives you a good excuse to indulge in a drone purchase (if you haven’t done so already). At Erin's Roofing, we find this footage can be useful when it's time for a professional repair or replacement.
What to Look For
- Shingles that are obviously distressed: curling, loose, cracked or even absent.
- Bald patches, indicating erosion of the granules
- Moss, lichen, staining
- Corroding or damaged flashing
- Signs of sagging, standing water, obvious gaps and holes
- Debris, such as loose nails, branches, leaves, lost Frisbees!
Look Inside the Home Too!
If a roof has one or more leaks, there is usually evidence inside the house. Take a look on the upper floor of your home and attic, looking for dark spots on the walls, peeling paint or wallpaper, and other obvious signs of leaks.
Consider the Entire Roofing System
If your gutters, downspouts, fascia, soffits and other elements of your roofing “system” show obvious signs of damage, don’t delay! These are connected to your roof and play a role in protecting your home against structural damage.
Keep a Record and Take Pictures
Keep track of your findings each year, even if your roof shows no sign of damage. You will be able to measure any damage by comparing this year's photos to past years. These will also be helpful to the roofing company you hire when it comes time for a repair or roof replacement.
Maintaining your roof proactively is always a wise investment. The value of doing an annual inspection is equal to the value of a longer life for your roof.
When to Get a Professional Inspection
If you spot signs of damage or have been watching a problem get worse over several years, it's a good idea to call a local roofing company for a professional inspection. A professional inspection will be more thorough, involving a close visual inspection of the entire roof system and taking into account the number of layers, previous repairs, and the age and history of the roof.
If your inspection reveals possible roof damage or you find conducting your own inspection daunting, get a professional roofing inspection: contact Erin’s Roofing today!