If you’re a homeowner, assessing the condition of a roof should be one of your main priorities. During complicated weather, your roof can become vulnerable to damage, and you can have a big problem if you don’t fix those issues immediately. That’s what roof inspections are for. A professional roofer (like our experts at Select Renovations) will find all those signs of damage that are overlooked by following an inspection checklist. But how often should you have your roof inspected? Are they really necessary once a year? What are the benefits of inspecting your roof, and what do we look for?
Select Renovations will answer all your questions about roof inspections, including how often we advise for professional help. We will also tell you what we look for, what our roof inspections include, what happens during the process, and other general information about them.
Read more about our roof inspections or schedule a service with us today!
How often should you Have your roof inspected?
The National Roofing Contractor’s Association recommends roof inspections be done twice a year, especially during spring and fall. Select Renovations also recommends annual roof inspections. Twice a year is ideal, but we recommend at least one annual roof inspection before winter if you’re a busy homeowner. Roofs suffer more damage during winter because of snow and hailstorms, so it’s better to have them inspected before you encounter surprises.
We also recommend regular inspections before and after a rainy season. Heavy rainfall can lead to leaks and roof collapses. If you identify these issues early on, you can prevent some pretty expensive repairs down the line.
How do you know if your roof is damaged?
The purpose of roof inspections is to find early signs of damage and prevent homeowners from having to pay for really costly repairs or roof replacements. An annual inspection can save you from that headache. But if you haven’t requested a roof inspection or inspected it yourself in a while, here are some signs that your roof might need to be inspected because it’s damaged.
- Damaged, curling, or buckling shingles. Shingles are susceptible to breaking; they will eventually crack or worsen without roof maintenance.
- Leaks in your attic or ceiling are a sign of water damage. A roof inspector will identify if the source of the leak is something larger or if a leak repair will be enough to fix the issue.
- Water stains and mold growth that can weaken your roof. Moisture damage can make your roof susceptible to more deterioration.
- Sagging areas in your roof that could be a sign of decay, rot, or something more complex happening with your flashing.
To properly assess if you need some residential roofing repairs, a licensed roofing contractor like us at Select Renovations can identify these issues during routine roof inspections.
What Can A Roof Inspection Detect?
When we inspect roofs all over the Detroit Metro area, we do more than tell you if you need repairs. As contractors, we have to ensure we keep you informed about the state of your roof and its structures. With a proper roof inspection, we look for the following:
- Damaged or missing shingles
- Deteriorating flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
- Scattered debris and other materials
- Leaks or water damage
- Improper ventilation
- Signs of rot and decay
- Sagging and weakened decking
- Pests and animals
- Clogged or collapsing gutters
- Holes in your roofing system
Depending on what we find, we will tell you the best course of action for your particular case. No two roofs are the same, so our solutions are completely personalized, and that’s what you should look for in a professional roofer.
What Does a Professional Roof Inspection Include?
As mentioned, we evaluate all the roofing components to ensure they are structurally sound. We keep our staff and your property safe using appropriate ladders and safety equipment. A properly done roofing inspection should include a very detailed checklist. Select Renovations will look for all signs of damage and more. Some of the most crucial aspects of our roof inspections are:
Interior Inspections
Your home’s interior can tell us what’s going on with your roof. It will also let us know if there’s a particular problem we should look out for. We will check for water stains on ceilings and walls, signs of water damage in the attic (mold, mildew, dampness), or if we can see daylight showing through the roof boards. We also look for adequate insulation and proper interior ventilation systems.
Exterior Inspections
We always start on ground level. We’ll look for any obvious signs of damage or missing shingles. Then, we move on to the actual surface of your roof. We look for cracked, missing, curled, or blistered shingles. We also inspect for:
- Signs of damage or deterioration around flashing areas
- Algae, moss, or lichen growth
- The condition of the gutters and downspouts
- Improper ventilation systems, including ridge vents, soffit vents, and exhaust vents
- Damaged roof-mounted features such as satellite dishes, solar panels, or antennas
- Signs of bowing, cracking, or other structural issues
- Damage or deterioration in the fascia and soffits
We like to document all our findings. Any great roofing contractor will take photographs and videos to keep you informed, and that’s what we do at Select Renovations. DIY roof inspections can be dangerous and complicated, so hiring a professional will better your chances of identifying what’s going on with your roofing system.
How Long Does An Annual Roof Inspection Take?
We can’t know exactly how long a roof inspection will take until we properly look at your home. It can depend on several factors. The size of your roof, the complexity of the damage, accessibility to the system, or other issues you want us to address. On average, we’ve seen that a roof inspection can take us anywhere from an hour or two, and more intricate systems might require more of our time.
Are Roofing Inspections Free?
Absolutely! We offer free roof inspections in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Contact us to schedule your free inspection; our team will gladly assist you.
Inspect Your Roofing Today
Now that we’ve answered how often, why, and all the ways you can have your roof inspected at crucial times of the year, Select Renovations can help.
Call (586)-541-8821 or contact us through our website to call for a roof inspection. We also provide emergency roof repairs all over Detroit Metro.