Is Your Roof Safe?

Winter can wreak havoc on even the most durable roof, causing leaks, cracks, and missing and torn shingles. Re-roofing can be a labor intensive process, but it may be the best option to keep your house dry for the next season. But how do you know when to re-roof your house? Regularly inspecting your roof for leaks and damage will help you know if roofing repairs or replacement are needed.

The best time to inspect your roof for damage is in the early spring. Winter damage will be more readily assessed, and roofing repair companies will have all summer to work in good weather. The roofing inspection should begin inside the house. With a flashlight and pipe cleaners in hand, head to your attic or crawl space to begin the inspection. Look for any obvious signs of water damage, such as mold or discoloration, that may be signs that your roof is leaking. If the ceiling is sagging, you should immediately call a roofing repair company, as it is a sign of long-term damage. You will also want to look for holes that let light into the attic. If light can come through, so can water. If you find any holes, stick a pipe cleaner through so that you will be able to find them again from the outside.

Once your interior inspection is done, it is time to move to the exterior! Because roof inspections can be dangerous, only inspect as much of the roof as you are comfortable with. If you feel unsafe, go back to the ground and call a roofing professional to finish the inspection. While you are inspecting the roof from the outside, look for hail damage, such as cracked or missing shingles. Look for curled or torn shingles that should be replaced, loose materials around chimneys or windows, and water damage such as soft spots or mold.

Once you have a good idea of your roof’s condition, you should start calling residential roofing contractors to get pricing estimates. Your contractor will double-check the condition of the roof, and recommend repair or re-roofing. Roofing is a difficult and unpleasant job, so while you may be tempted to save money by doing it yourself, it is usually better to hire a professional.