The roof is an integral part of your home. Poor maintenance can lead to expensive repairs and structural damage.
Stains on the ceiling or mold in the attic can indicate a leaky roof. Regular inspections and prompt repair can prevent such damage. Other common problems include clogged gutters and lack of ventilation. Click Here to learn more.
The flashing of a roof protects against leaks by sealing the seams and joints. This is a critical component of a roof and it should be inspected on a regular basis to ensure that it is still sealing properly. If a flashing is damaged, moisture can enter the home and cause major problems such as mold, ruined drywall and rotting wood.
A roof inspection should include checking the flashing in several places including around chimneys, skylights and vent pipes. Often these areas are not easily accessible and a close inspection is required from on the roof. Also, some flashing is hidden behind roof coverings so that it is impossible to determine its condition from the ground.
Check for cracking, warping, rust or any other signs of damage or wear and tear on the flashing. The flashing should fit snugly against the shingles to ensure that water does not seep in between the roof and the home. It should also be free of any gaps, which will allow rainwater to seep into the roof and potentially cause other issues.
Many times, flashing will have caulk around it to provide an extra layer of protection against water leaks. Check for deteriorated caulk, which may look fine from far away but is actually beginning to peel. This can be easily fixed by scraping off the old caulk and adding a fresh bead of sealant.
Some flashing is attached with nails or screws and these can wiggle loose over time due to the flexing of the wood. It is important to re-nail or screw these areas periodically and make sure that they are tightened. If the nails are corroded, they will need to be replaced with new fasteners.
A roof inspection should also include a close examination of all safely accessible gutters and downspouts to remove any debris such as leaves, pine straw or discarded soft drink cans that have collected. These items can clog gutters and downspouts allowing water to back up and flood the roof area. Also, all drains should be inspected to verify that they are plugged or draining properly and that the leader-heads are in place.
Inspect the Shingles
A shingle roof needs to be inspected for bare spots, cracks, or other damage. It should also be inspected for moss, lichen, and blue-green algae that may be causing moisture to build up under the shingles.
These areas are a sign of moisture that will eventually lead to mold growth and rot. Mold spores can make people and animals very sick, especially if they have allergies or asthma. A mold problem should be addressed immediately, before it spreads. If a leak goes unnoticed for too long it can cause major water damage to the drywall and other components of the building.
The inspector should look for rust on the metal pieces that connect the different planes of the roof (called flashing) and on the vents, which may be an indicator of water intrusion. The plastic piece that covers the vent pipe, called a boot, should also be checked for wear.
If the shingles are cracked, ripped, or missing, a professional roofing contractor will need to replace them. The shingles should be firmly nailed down, and the nails should be properly sealed to prevent moisture from seeping in. The inspector should check for sagging of the roof’s shingles, as this can be a sign of a serious structural problem.
A good inspector will be able to spot problems that you might miss, even if you are comfortable climbing on a ladder. If you are not comfortable with a ladder, you can still do a basic inspection from the ground with binoculars. The inspector should also look at the fascia and soffit boards, which should be in good condition to protect the wood structure of the roof overhangs from water damage. The inspector should also examine the chimneys, skylights, and other penetrations on the roof for leaks or other problems. The inspector should also be able to tell if the gutters are clogged with leaves or debris, as this can lead to water damage and pest infestations. They should also inspect the downspouts, which should be free of rust and other signs of water damage.
Inspect the Gutters
The gutters of a roof are vital in keeping water and debris away from the siding, fascia, foundation, and yard of your home. When they are not working properly, they can cause significant damage to these areas of your home. Inspecting the gutters on a regular basis to ensure they are doing their job is important.
The first thing to look for in a gutter is whether or not it is clogged. If it is, this can block water flow and cause leaks in the gutter and downspouts. Usually, simply flushing the gutter with a hose is sufficient to unclog it. If a clog does occur, it is recommended to schedule a gutter cleaning service with a professional roofer.
Gutter cleaning is also a great opportunity to examine the gutter system as a whole. Look for signs of rust, corrosion, or paint peeling on the gutters, along with loose hangers or spikes. Also, check the slope of the gutters and downspouts. If they are not sufficiently sloping towards the downspouts, it may be time to reposition the gutter hangers or spikes.
Finally, inspect the gutter aprons to see if they are securely attached to the rafters or wall of the house. This is especially important on steep roofs.
Other common maintenance tasks include trimming tree branches so they don’t overhang the roof and ensuring that any vents, skylights, chimneys and other rooftop accessories remain sealed. It is also a good idea to perform routine cleaning of chimneys and flues to prevent a soot-like buildup called creosote from forming on the interior surfaces.
All facility staff will be briefed on the needs of the buildings during the crew’s work shift and how they can be addressed during the program. A roster of all crew members will be provided to the client. The roster will provide contact information for each crew member, their training and qualifications, as well as pictures of the buildings and the applied systems they will be completing maintenance on. The client can also have background checks run on roster personnel if desired.
Inspect the Attic
An attic inspection is a vital part of home maintenance. It allows you to learn a lot about the roof from up above, such as whether the insulation is sufficient or not and how well the ventilation is working. A well-insulated attic will keep the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter, helping to lower energy bills.
Your inspector will also check that the attic’s soffit and ridge vents are clear of obstructions and functioning properly to prevent moisture buildup. Moisture can lead to mold, which can in turn damage the shingles and create more problems for your roof.
A home inspector will also look at the joists, beams and rafters in the attic to see if they are bowed or warped. This is a sign of structural instability, which can affect the entire structure of the home and may need significant repairs. Generally, serious structural issues will make it very difficult to sell the house and may prevent the loan from being approved by a bank.
Inspectors will also look at the electrical wiring in the attic to ensure it is up to code and properly connected. They will check that all spliced wires are in covered junction boxes and not running directly along joists or rafters, as this can be a fire hazard.
In addition, the attic will be checked for any signs of rodent infestations, such as stains or droppings that may indicate a problem with rodent urine and feces. Stains in the attic can indicate a lack of proper ventilation and can cause mold, which can then spread to other parts of the house and cause odors and health problems.
A roof maintenance plan should include bi-annual attic inspections by a professional. The findings from these inspections will help roofing companies create accurate estimates and repair strategies. The inspection results will also aid in determining whether the roof is due for replacement. By taking a proactive approach to roof maintenance, you can protect your investment and extend the life of your roof.