Roof Inspections - All You Need to Know

Winter is quickly approaching, which means that you’ll want to get your home in tiptop shape before the first snowfall hits. After all, no one wants a leaky roof while there’s snow outside! (Or any other time of year for that matter.) Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make sure your home’s exterior is ready to face the elements. Is your house ready for the cold season?

You can find out if your roof is sound by scheduling an inspection with a professional. If you want to inspect it yourself first, we’re going to cover the steps you need to take to make sure you’re covering everything. Continue reading this blog to learn all you need to know about roof inspections.

How Often Should Your Roof Be Inspected?

It’s easy to put the health of your roof at the back of your mind until something happens to it, but that’s not the best idea. One of the most common causes of water damage in the home comes from a leaky roof. This water damage can lead to problems like damaged insulation, the growth of mold, and structural issues. To help prevent that, you should have an inspection done twice a year and also after severe storms. The good news is that you don’t need to hire a professional every time because you can do it yourself with our roof inspection checklist.

Your roof tends to take a beating throughout the year, whether it’s from the harsh winds during the spring, the hot sun during the summer, or the rain and snow during the fall and winter. Harsh weather can cause damage to your roof, even if it’s just a little leak. But as you know, little leaks can lead to worse damage, which is why regular inspections can save you money in the long run. One of the most important times of the year to have your roof checked is in the fall before winter fully sets in.

What Does a Roof Inspection Include?

Although you should have a professional inspection done regularly, you can also perform one yourself that’s simple, quick, and cost-efficient. Of course, if you notice anything out of the ordinary, take note of it and let your local roofer know, so they can take the necessary steps to fix it before it starts causing larger issues. Here’s how to inspect your roof in seven steps:

1. Walk around the outside of your home. Check the roof from the ground, looking for signs of aging, sagging, or damage. Jot down any areas that look like they need closer inspection.
2. Find any places that have algae, moss, or piles of leaves. If left alone, these areas may cause costly leaks and even water damage.
3. Look for shingles that are curled or buckled. Hot air that comes from attics can cause shingles to curl away from your roof, which puts it at a greater risk for poor ventilation and damage from the weather.
4. Perhaps the most important of all, keep your eye out for shingles that are old, missing, or damaged because they are the leading cause of damage. Even taking a small amount of time every six months to inspect it can help prevent more significant problems down the line. Missing shingles will not only make your roof look bad but will also further expose it to potential damage from extreme weather conditions.
5. Try to look more closely at your shingles to see if there’s granule loss, which is the texture. If the texture is no longer there, it’s time to replace your roof.
6. Also, make sure to keep your gutters and downspouts clean. While you’re doing so, take note if you see any signs of rot or open joins because they may be indicating larger issues.
7. If your house has an attic, check under the roof for signs of water penetration.

Once you complete your inspection, review what you’ve found. If there are any areas that need attention, contact your local roofing company as soon as possible, so they can address the issue before it gets any bigger. Remember that you can always contact our team here at Legacy Service.

How Long Does a Roof Inspection Take?

How long your inspection takes will depend on how old your roof is and how thoroughly you check everything. Even if you give your roof a quick once-over every few months, you should also schedule an inspection with a professional who will be able to detect problems that aren’t visible to the untrained eye. For example, you’ll be able to spot obvious problems, like missing shingles, but it will probably be tougher for you to see if something like the texture of the shingles is still in good condition.

If a professional is inspecting your roof, you can expect it to take between 45 minutes and several hours. This thorough examination will determine the health and integrity of your roof. The inspector will climb up on the roof and look at the surfacing material as well as inspect the chimneys, gutters, dormers, and flashing points. They’ll also inspect parts of the inside of the house, including the eaves, fasteners, interior chimney surfaces, roof braces, and support materials. Then, they’ll recommend any repairs that are necessary.

Cost for Roof Inspection

Depending on the type of roof and size of your home, a roof inspection can cost anywhere from $150 to $500. But no matter what the cost of your inspection ends up being, it will cost much less than if you left your roof alone and allowed little problems that could’ve easily been fixed become much larger.

Most professionals recommend getting your roof inspected twice a year, ideally in the fall and spring. A fall inspection helps ensure the pressure of rain, snow, and ice won’t cause small problems to turn into larger ones, and a spring inspection will help determine if you’ve suffered any damage during the winter that could worsen with heavy spring rainstorms.

Roofing Inspection Checklist

Whether you’re quickly checking the roof yourself or you’ve hired a professional to inspect it, certain areas should be examined every time. Our recommended roofing inspection checklist includes looking out for:

• Broken or missing shingles
• Curling or buckling shingles
• Rust spots on the flashing
• Cracked caulk
• A damaged or missing chimney cap
• Worn or cracked rubber boots around the vent pipes
• Signs of decay underneath, such as masses of moss or lichen

If you notice any of these during the inspection, contact your local roofing company, like our team at Legacy Service, to get it replaced.

Prepare Your Roof for the Winter

We suggest getting your inspection done before the bitter cold has time to settle in, and fall is the perfect time of the year for it. Once it begins to snow, not only is it more difficult to complete inspections and repairs but if your roof is not fully sound throughout the winter, snow and harsh winds may even cause further damage.

Here at Legacy Service, we’re available for all of your roofing needs. Although we do not perform full inspections, we can recommend someone who will, and if you need installation or replacement services, you can always contact our team at Legacy. We provide roof installation and roof replacement whether you have or would like to have asphalt shingles, metal roofing, synthetic slate, cedar, and copper. We also provide installation and replacement for siding, windows, and doors.

Contact our team at Legacy Service by calling 215-798-9790 or filling out a contact form here. We’re here to make sure you’re fully satisfied with your home’s exterior and that it’s in outstanding shape.