You need to make sure the roofing on your building is durable, safe, and will last a long time. Reliable roofing is essential for safety and for the value of your home. Poor quality roofing or materials can mean damage and leaks which will end up costing you unnecessary money. Problems in roofing can escalate quickly if left unattended, so you should do your part to identify problems or weak areas regularly.
How To Conduct A Roof Inspection Yourself?
Inspections are best performed by professionals, but you can make regular checks to ensure issues are found earlier rather than later.
Ideally, you should look over your roof twice a year. Weather and wear and tear can expose your roof to damage and leaks, but when you know what to look for you can spot the issues before they become expensive. You want to inspect your roof before every wet season and after the cold seasons have passed. If at any time through the year, rainfall has been heavy, then you may want to perform additional checks after each storm. Edges of roofing can curl after cold weather, which indicates maintenance is needed. Shingles can also become brittle during cold seasons, increasing their chance of cracking. You can also look for potential ventilation issues by looking for bubbles.
Be sure to check the inside and the outside of the roof because the damage is not always visible from the outer surface. Always check your attic space too because ventilation issues in the attic can impact the lifespan of your roof. Poor or damage ventilation can allow moisture to build up in your roof. You also want to regularly check your gutters and drain spouts because they are responsible for moving water away from the surface. If water is allowed to pool on the roof, you increase the risk of damage and serious leaks. Be sure that your gutters are regularly cleared from any clogs to prevent this from happening.
Roofers can identify moisture through an infrared scan which detects if heat is escaping from your roof. If you are losing heat, it is a good sign that your roof has collected moisture and is no longer able to keep heat inside. Because water is also a good conductor, professionals can also identify moisture buildups by using electrical resistance. A roof that is acting as a good conductor likely has water trapped within. Nuclear isotropic meters can also be used by identifying hydrogen atoms. As the main element in water, by identifying large quantities of hydrogen, you can identify large amounts of water within the roofing system.
Having a professional inspect your roof is necessary should you notice any signs of leaking or cracked shingles. You may be able to spot indicators of damage but it is not advised that you take the roof apart yourself. Professional roofing companies will use special methods to identify moisture and the exact source, as well as provide the best solution for you. You can do your part by understanding the different materials used for roofing, and what to look out for in each case.
Roofing Materials
- Asphalt shingles are the most common material used because they last a long time and are easy to install. Watch for signs of curling after cold weather as well as cracks to identify potential damage.
- Wood shakes or shingles are classy and beautiful but they are also hard to maintain. Wood can crack easily with weather changes which mean moisture build-up is likely. Check often for cracks and signs of rotting from within.
- Clay and concrete tiles are popular, durable and seem to last forever. They can also become cracked with improper maintenance. The extra weight of tiles makes it necessary for proper installation to be done to avoid potential damage.
- Metal roofing has become more popular because of durability and because it can be recycled. Metal roofing made of copper, aluminum, or steel have long lifespans and are easy to care for. You can identify any damage by looking for dents and dings along the surface.
