Inspecting a Roof

As with any part of the home, a roof needs to be periodically inspected to ensure that everything is in good working order. Now, while you could always hire a professional to inspect your roof, there really is no need for the added expense. Instead, by taking the time to learn how inspecting a roof is done, you can do it yourself and save some serious money. This way, if you do find anything that looks like it could be problem causing you can then call in the professional to see how much it would cost to repair. All that you need to do now is follow these guidelines, and you will be able to see if you really do have anything to worry about.

• Look at all flashing. One of the main places where roofing problems develop is around the flashing. Be sure that you take time to carefully look around the flashing and see if there have been any faulty repairs, shoddy work, or anything that looks just a little off. It is around these points that most leaks can later be found.
• Is the flashing damaged or loose? When inspecting the flashing, take a look to see if any of it looks like it is damaged or loose. If you find any that is in less that good condition, then you may want to take the time to replace it.
• Are there any buckled, cupped, or bowed shingles? Over time the wood that is under shingles can become damaged by moisture. In such situations there is little that you can do than simply replacing that section of roofing and the shingles that cover it. When looking at the shingles themselves, test the possible damaged areas carefully, since if the wood is soft enough you could easily fall through the roof and become hurt.
• Is there any excessive wear? As you look at the shingles as a whole, take the time to take in the general appearance of the shingles. Everything get's older with time, and shingles are no different. If most of the shingles are damaged, worn, or even missing, then all that you can do is replace the shingles on your roof.
• Are there any noticeably damaged shingles? If you happen to see a small section of shingles that are simple damaged or show a high amount of deterioration then you really should replace them. In this case you don't necessarily need to replace a vast majority of the shingles, but rather the afflicted area.
• Pay special attention to the chimneys. Another potentially troublesome area of the roof lies around your chimneys. Take a look to see if there are gaps in the flashing, any previous repair work, cracks, or anything that looks like it could be troubling. Remember that all patches are in effect temporary, so if you find any that means you may need to do some work in the future.