Look for signs of damage with a springtime roof inspection
By Kyle Valentini
April 22, 2013
420
Spring is one of the best times to do a home inspection and it should include a full inspection of the roof. The roof should also be inspected after storms that include high winds or hail that can easily damage roofing materials and in some cases cause materials to be blown away altogether.
Look for loose or missing roofing material when you do an inspection. The main reasons for shingles, tiles or shakes to loosen are wind, falling debris and improper installation. Missing material means the roof must be repaired as soon as possible before any further damage occurs.
In our region, high winds are becoming increasingly common. Winds in excess of 30 mph can easily cause damage to roofing material. Small hail is usually not a concern but when hail larger than a marble hits your roof, the potential for damage is greater.
Tree branches can cause damage to the roof as well and should be kept trimmed so as not to puncture the roofing material. Leaves can cause excessive moisture and block gutters so water does not drain away efficiently.
Not all signs of damage to the roof are easy to detect. Indoors, moisture from a leaking roof can show itself in the form of peeling paint or brown spots. Some leaks can be repaired and a new roof is not necessary.
Sometimes nothing catastrophic has happened to damage the roof but age plays a factor in most traditional roofing materials. Even the best professionally installed roof will need to be replaced at one time or another. It is important to be aware of the age of your roof so you can determine if the cause of the decline of the roofs integrity is a result of the number of years it has been in place.
Roofing materials vary in lifespan. The most common roofing material is the asphalt shingle. There are shingles that will last 15 years as well as higher quality options that can last up to 40 years. It is a similar case with the less common wooden shingle. If they are made of higher quality wood they will likely last for decades.
Slate roofs were once very common before modern materials became more affordable. You will likely still see slate roofs on homes in the region. Slate is very durable and can last more than 100 years. Their old warm charm is lovely and in todays market quite expensive.
Metal roofing has been popular in commercial construction for some time. Improvements to the appearance and a plethora of colors to choose from have allowed it to spill over into the residential market. While somewhat pricier than a standard asphalt shingle roof, a metal roof will probably never need to be replaced in the homeowners lifetime.
A roof is the most important part of a home, as it protects the structure as well as the contents within. Homeowners that suspect any damage to their roof should immediately seek the advice of a professional to assess the integrity of the roof.
Like most things pertaining to maintaining a home, the homeowner should always choose the best quality roof their budget will allow. While the up-front cost is great, the years of peace of mind will be worth the investment.
