Your roof is one of the most important, and expensive, elements of your home. Yet, it is often neglected until it springs a leak or begins looking cluttered with leaves, twigs or moss. Like any system that is part of your home, it needs preventive maintenance to avoid costly repairs. Inspecting your roof at least twice a year can help identify issues early and protect your investment in your roof and home.

Performing a Roof Inspection

You do not need to be a roofing expert to perform a basic roof inspection if you know what areas to check. While a professional may see things you will not, there are a few tell-tale issues that can alert you to a problem with your roofing system. You will want to check the shingles, roof flashing and gutters, the three main parts of your roofing system.

Look for Shingle Wear and Tear

The most common type of roof has asphalt shingles. While asphalt shingles can last for decades, wind, rain, ice and snow can cause damage that requires replacement or repairs. When inspecting your shingles, look for:

  • Curling
  • Buckling
  • Cracks or tears
  • Missing
  • Granular erosion (smooth finish)

When shingles are damaged or worn, they can allow water and moisture underneath that can create a leak into your home. One broken or missing shingle can be the beginning of a major roofing problem, but not if you catch it before a leak occurs.

Check the Flashing and Roof Valleys

The valleys where your roofing connects are prone to leaks, as are the areas around chimneys, vents and other roofing structures like skylights. The flashing in valleys and around these structures needs to be flush; if the flashing is not tightly sealed, it can allow water in and cause extensive damage.

Inspect the Gutters

Gutters whisk away rain and snowmelt from your roof and home, but if they do not work correctly, they can expose the roof and home to excess moisture. Check to make sure gutters are not clogged (you can run a garden hose into the middle and watch the flow) and that water is safely expelled away from the house. Look at the water that comes out of the downspouts; if there are excessive granules from your asphalt shingles, it can be a sign they are disintegrating and may need replacement soon.

When to Call a Roof Professional

If you perform a roof inspection each spring and fall, or after any major storm, you are likely to notice problems with your roof before they allow a leak to occur. When you notice any shingle, flashing or gutter issues, call our experts at Signature Home Services, LLC. We offer free roof inspections and can help determine what needs to be done to protect your roof and home from further damage. Don’t want to risk climbing on the roof yourself? Contact us and we will perform your bi-annual inspections for you.