Aqua Roofing DIY Inspection
For some people, taking a good look at their roof comes naturally, on a regular occasion. For others, maybe once a year, possibly not at all. Unless you’ve noticed visible leakage, a roof inspection likely never crosses your mind.
Unfortunately, roofing material of all kinds, just like anything else, is subject to wear and tear. The fact that the roof is your first line of defense against the elements, we advise at least 2 inspections annually. The timing of which should be prior to the spring showers as well as before the winter cold.
What To Look For:
Just going up on the roof and looking around isn’t enough. You will need to look for specific things. Let’s look at what needs to be done:
- Check flashings on the roof. Flashings are the metal pieces in a roof that cover interruptions in the roof plane, such as around dormers, chimneys, and vent pipes. If it appears there is damage, fix these problems right away, or call us to reapir. Inadequate or faulty flashing will allow water to enter the interior, causing not only infrastructure rot, but possible damage to interior walls.
- Asphalt roofing materials have a granular surface, much like fine gravel. As the asphalt ages, it becomes brittle, and these granules will come out over time. If you see a lot of these granules in
gutters & downspouts, chances are the roof is aging. Look for bare spots in asphalt shingles, and inspect closely for signs of tearing or warpage or cracks. If you notice shingles curling up, it is time for replacement. - If your roof has wooden shake or shingles, look for signs of dry rot or warpage depending on the climate of your locale. Know the difference between wooden shakes and shingles – shakes are hand-split on
at least one face and either tapered or straight. Shingles are sawn and tapered. If an inspection reveals that approximately one third of the shingles or shakes have any sign of the above damages, it is
time to replace the roof. Never walk on a wooden shake or shingle roof when inspecting. - A metal roof has a design life of 40 years if maintained and properly painted. Metal roofing comes in galvanized iron or steel, aluminum, copper, and even lead in much older homes. Each has its own wear
characteristics. Look for signs of pitting, rusting and corrosion that can be the natural results of aging. Look for loose or open seams and joints that can lead to leaking. Exposed fasteners can fail early as well. - Slate, clay tile, and asbestos cement shingles are high end, but will last the lifetime of the home if cared for properly. Because they are so brittle and easily broken, the best way to inspect them is by using binoculars to get a close look at their condition. Check for broken, chipped or missing pieces.
Worst case, you can inspect a roof quite well using binoculars as long as the pitch is strong enough. Also, always inspect under eaves & overhangs to look for damage that might indicate water leakage, especially at points of the roof that don’t conform to the regular roof plane, such as dormers or skylights. Taking the time to do a thorough inspection on a regular basis will save you a lot of money in the long run and even more headache…
If you are not capable of climbing to high spaces, or you simply just don’t want to mess with it, call us to do the inspection for you. That’s what we’re here for anyway. – Aqua Roofing
