Your roof provides the first line of defense between your living space and outside elements. It’s a vital investment, and it only takes a small problem to escalate into something extensive that may require costly repairs.
Scheduled roofing maintenance prevents these problems and keeps your home protected well into the future. Inspect your ceilings for stains, check the attic space for visible nails, and address any other minor issues. Contact Missoula Roofing for professional help.
If you aren’t comfortable climbing a ladder to look at your roof, a visual inspection can still be helpful. You can use binoculars or simply walk around the house, looking at the roofing from different angles. Make note of any areas that look damaged or have missing shingles. You may also notice piles of leaves or other debris, which can retain moisture and lead to serious damage over time.
A professional roof inspector can inspect your home’s roof at a more detailed level than you can from the ground. They’ll examine the condition of the eaves, gutters, and fascia to ensure they are in good shape. They’ll also look at the chimney, skylights, and vent pipes to ensure they have a solid seal. Finally, they’ll look for sagging areas of the roof that may indicate structural issues or water damage.
In addition to checking the shingles themselves, an inspector will check for sagging or curled areas. They’ll look for moss, lichen, and other signs of biological growth. They’ll also check for cracks or damage to the flashing, which is the thin metal that lines the penetrations of a roof. This includes skylights, chimneys, and vents. Inspectors will also look for rust or cracked caulk.
After a visual inspection, an experienced roofer will take measurements and photographs to create a map of the roof’s condition. This will help them identify problem areas and determine the severity of the issue. They’ll then recommend any necessary repairs or replacements.
A roof inspection is a great way to protect your investment in your home and prevent costly repairs. It’s important to perform regular maintenance on your roof, especially after severe storms. Contact a professional roofing contractor like 3rd Generation Home Improvements to schedule a routine maintenance visit. Their team of professionals will provide a thorough and professional service at a competitive price. Their roster includes fully insured and bonded professionals who are all background checked and drug tested. Their crew members are also courteous, clean and professional at all times when they are at your facility.
Inspect the Attic
The attic is the area above the roof, where a home’s insulation and ventilation systems are located. It’s important to inspect the attic for signs of leaks and other problems. Inspectors typically use a ladder or hatch to gain access to the attic, and they should wear proper safety equipment when entering the attic. This includes a dust mask, safety goggles and gloves, an AFCI/GFCI tester, and a moisture meter.
An attic inspection may reveal structural issues that require immediate attention, such as cracked rafters or joists and wood rot. These problems could have a serious effect on the integrity of the home’s structure, as well as its value. Fortunately, many of these issues can be corrected by homeowners.
A good inspector will also check the amount and quality of attic insulation. The insulation should be evenly distributed throughout the attic and should not contain any voids or low spots. The attic should also be free of any obstructions that impede ventilation or air-flow, including vent stacks, ductwork, and light fixtures.
Moisture intrusion in the attic is a common problem that can lead to mold growth and damage to structural members. A thorough inspection can reveal moisture-related issues and help homeowners take action to mitigate high energy bills, poor indoor air quality, and other problems.
Attics are prone to infestations of rodents and other pests, and the inspector should look for any evidence of pest activity, such as droppings, nests, leaves, acorns, and chewed wires. The inspector will also look for gaps or holes around the soffit, which can allow pests to invade and damage the attic and the house structure.
An attic can be dangerous to enter, especially for inexperienced inspectors. An untrained inspector can easily slip and fall, causing injuries and possibly even death. Depending on the type of home, an attic can be full of hazardous materials, such as toxic vermiculite, asbestos and more. In addition, stepping on vent pipes and fire sprinkler lines can cause major water damage and put the home’s residents at risk. Therefore, it’s best to leave this part of the inspection to professional inspectors.
Inspect the Gutters
Gutters are essential in keeping your home safe and dry as they safely redirect rainwater runoff from a house’s rooftop to prevent water accumulation on the roof that can lead to water damage. However, gutters can clog or become damaged due to improper installation and wear-and-tear over time. A regular inspection of the gutter system helps ensure proper function and prevents costly repairs in the future.
When inspecting your gutters, you will want to look for stains and other signs of damage. Depending on the extent of damage, you may need to replace sections of your gutters. You will also want to inspect the gutter downspouts for proper flow and drainage.
The gutters are typically installed along the roof’s edge to capture and drain rainwater. They channel the rainfall away from the structure’s foundation, preventing water damage to the walls, roof, siding and landscaping. However, gutters can be obstructed by leaves, twigs, dirt and other debris. Clogged or blocked gutters can result in water overflow, which can cause damage to the siding and foundation of the home.
Begin your gutter inspection by checking from the ground level. This will help you see any visible issues before attempting to climb a ladder. You will also be able to check the slope and consistency of the gutters from this vantage point.
Once you have spotted any problem areas, you will need to clear the gutters of large debris, such as branches and leaves. You will also want to flush the downspouts with a hose, which can help to break up any clogs and ensure that water is exiting freely.
You should also be sure to check the gutters for holes and other damage, such as rust or corrosion. If you notice any holes or cracks, these will need to be repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage. You should also look for any areas where the sealant has worn away, as this can lead to leaks. This can usually be repaired by stripping the old sealant and applying new. However, if the gutters are severely damaged, they will likely need to be replaced completely.
Inspect the Flashing
Flashing is material, often metal, installed to help water drain from roof areas that are prone to leaks. It’s found around chimneys, skylights, vents and other penetrations on the roof. It’s also used to join two walls of a building that meet on the roof, eliminating the need for a seam that can create leaks and rot.
If a roof leak is suspected, examining the flashing should be one of the first steps taken. Ideally, a professional should examine and repair any damaged or missing flashing.
When examining roof flashing, look for cracks in the metal that can allow water to seep through. In addition, look for rust or warped metal and make sure the flashing is snug against the shingles. Flashing that’s pulled away from the roof or is missing altogether is a severe problem and will need to be replaced immediately.
Another important step in determining if the flashing is in good condition is to check the caulking that seals it to the roof. This is a critical part of the waterproofing system and can degrade over time. If the caulking is cracked, pitted or discolored, it should be replaced with new caulking.
Finally, you’ll want to take a close look at the roof valleys where two slopes of the roof meet. Inspect for water stains or mold in the attic and ceiling below these areas, which may indicate that water is getting past the flashing.
It’s also a good idea to inspect all of the roof penetrations (chimneys, pipes, vents and media installations) for proper flashing installation. The flashing around these penetrations should be tight and have a strong seal to prevent water from seeping in.
Another quick and easy test for flashing leaks is to have someone in the attic hold a garden hose up to the roof and run water over the flashing area of the roof. If the hose is turned on and water leaks into the attic, you’ll need to have the flashing repaired in that area. A leaky roof can lead to serious problems, including water damage and rot in the attic and drywall of the home. Regular inspections and timely repairs will help keep the roof in great shape and prevent costly repair bills.