Your Guide to Residential Roofing Inspections
Your roof is an essential part of your home that requires regular maintenance to stay in working order. Without regular residential roofing inspections, you just cost yourself more on otherwise unneeded repairs.
Annual roofing inspections are among the best ways to retain your home’s value, ensuring that the structure is adequately protected from the elements. A lot goes into every roofing inspection. This article will look at what you need to know.
How Often Do I Need Residential Roofing Inspection?
You want your roof to last as long as possible, and roof inspections are an important part of making that happen. Of course, most of your roof maintenance results will come down to how often and when you reach out to the professionals for roofing inspection services.
Planning Your Annual Roofing Inspection
The simplest guideline for roof inspections is that you should have an assessment at least once a year. Because so much potential roof damage is due to seasonal weather, it only makes sense to check in and see how your roof is standing up to the challenges that it faces.
If you decide to go with annual inspections, there’s still the question of when to schedule the inspection during the year. For the most part, either spring or fall is going to be the best time.
Spring is a good time to gauge the extent of any damage from winter weather. Early fall is also suitable because it leaves enough time to carry out any essential repairs before winter.
Inspections Due to Storms or Other Damage
If you look up at your roof and see visible damage, there’s no need to wait until your planned annual inspection to do something about it. Whenever you notice a problem with your roof, you should start searching for “roofing inspection near me” right away.
This advice is particularly prescient after major storms. High winds and rain can strip away shingles and tiles, leaving your roof at risk of further damage. After a particularly serious storm is a good time for an inspection, especially if you notice any clear signs of damage.
Whether there’s been a recent storm or not, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for these indicators that your roof could use an inspection:
- Missing or broken shingles or tiles
- Moss, algae, or other growth on your roof
- Damage to your gutters, soffits, or fascia
- Signs of leaks like water stains on walls or ceilings
Any of these signs indicate damage that will only get worse if left unrepaired. The best and most affordable thing to do is to call a trusted roofing contractor to get to the bottom of the issues you’re facing.
During Home Sales
Because a roof is such a high-value component of any home, a thorough roof inspection is highly advisable whenever buying or selling a house. You’ll be able to get a full roofing inspection report that will indicate the condition and how much repairs are likely to cost.
While most sales will already have a home inspector handling the general inspection, it’s typically best to go with a third-party roof inspection. A dedicated roofing company will deliver better results and identify potential damage and wear that inexperienced contractors might have otherwise overlooked.
The Key Steps to Any Residential Roofing Inspection
A thorough roofing inspection will carefully assess the different parts of your roof for any potential damage. The first step to any roofing inspection checklist is going to be inspecting the roof from the inside.
The contractor will go into your attic to check for a few important points. The first is structural damage. Inspecting the joists and rafters will let the contractor determine whether the structure is compromised. This compromise could be due to rot, water damage, pest damage, or failure of structural components.
They’ll also check for signs of mold growth. Whenever moisture gets in through the roof, it opens the door to potential mold growth, which reduces indoor air quality and can be a serious health concern. Any mold is also a key indicator that there is likely a leak nearby.
Mold, mildew, stains, and other signs can show where any leaks might be. Fixing leaks can be a relatively simple repair when caught early, but missing them could lead to serious water damage over time. This detection is among the most important parts of the inspection.
Getting Up on the Roof
With the roof’s interior inspected, the contractor will climb up and take a closer look at the roof itself. They’ll check for superficial signs of damage like missing, broken, or loose shingles or tiles.
During a residential roof inspection, lichen and moss growth are also serious concerns as they damage the shingles underneath. The overall condition of the shingles can be judged based on how smooth they are, as the granules can eventually wear down over time.
A roofing inspection will also include carefully assessing any potential hazards like overgrown tree limbs near the roof or potential pest damage.
Gutters and Other Fixtures
Residential roofing inspections also include thoroughly inspecting accessories like gutters, vents, soffits, and fascia. Some of the most important points to check are the flashing and sealant around vents and chimneys. These are often the first points where leaks develop, so contractors must inspect them closely.
Any damage to the gutters can cause immediate drainage issues and potentially damage other parts of the roof structure. Damage to the soffits and fascia can allow pests to enter your roof, including rodents, insects, and birds.
How Much Does a Roofing Inspection Cost?
Multiple factors are going to go into how much an individual roofing inspection costs. Of course, the size of the roof is going to be one of the most important. The steepness or complexity of gabled roofs can also lead to higher costs.
You might have to pay more for certain documents or if your inspection is for an insurance claim. Roof inspection certification is one such additional cost that you might need for certain warranty programs.
The real question to consider here is how much avoiding a roofing inspection will cost. Without regular maintenance, what could have been minor repairs can spread to become extensive damage. Repair bills can quickly climb if issues are left to sit for years instead of being caught by annual inspections.
A lack of planned inspections could even lead to a roof replacement years earlier than necessary. Proactively handling maintenance can greatly extend a roof’s lifespan, which is well worth the cost of annual inspections.
You might also find that avoiding roof inspections could have ramifications for both warranties and insurance policies. While these agreements will differ between individual cases, it’s worth looking at the terms of the policies covering your house to see if they mandate regular inspections.
Fours Seasons Kanga Roof Residential Roofing Inspections
You need to know that you’re going with a team of roofers that you can trust for your roof inspections. At Four Seasons Kanga Roof, we’ve spent years carrying out comprehensive residential and commercial roof inspections in Southeastern Michigan.
We know what to look for to ensure the highest levels of safety, durability, and longevity for your roof.
Four Seasons Kanga Roof handles all types of roofing services, including new roofing, repairs, replacements, and inspections. We can carefully inspect your roof and give you a reliable quote for any required repairs. To schedule your next residential roofing inspection, you can call Four Seasons Kanga Roof today.