Our Roof Inspection Checklist

It’s true that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—and this saying couldn’t apply more appropriately to home repairs and maintenance checks. Having your home regularly inspected for potential issues and taking care of minor problems before they become larger ones can save you an enormous amount of time, stress, and money. One of the best examples of this is your rooftop. The roof, after all, is one of the most important features of your home construction. Taking a bit of time every now and then to make sure your roof is in tip-top shape is critical to its health. It can also help you to avoid unexpected repair or replacement services down the road.

At RJW Exteriors, we are always quick to suggest regular routine inspections for our customers. We want to avoid having to schedule emergency services for problems that could have easily been avoided with proper maintenance. While we always suggest hiring a professional roofing company for a safe and proper inspection, doing it yourself is also an option. For those of you that prefer to perform maintenance on your own, take a look at this quick guide from our experts at RJW to learn the basics of a DIY roof inspection.

Cracked Surfaces and Broken Shingles

An obvious thing to look for when inspecting your roof is broken or cracked tiles or shingles. If you’re nervous about heights, this can be done without climbing onto a ladder looking up—as long as your roof is sloping and visible from the ground. Look for cracks, chips, and above all, missing shingles. This should be done regularly, at least once a month—but also any time after a storm or high winds have passed through your area.

If you do decide to climb onto your rooftop, take a moment to press down on damaged shingles to test the material for strength. Roofing materials should be strong, sturdy, and whole—if it bends or seems to give under pressure, it will need to be replaced before it becomes weaker and compromises the materials surrounding it.

Leaky Rooftops and Signs of Water Damage

Leaks are an important sign of water damage to your roof and need to be resolved immediately. If moisture is entering into your home through cracks in the shingles or falling down over the exterior due to a clogged gutter, it could cause major damage over time if not taken care of.

After it rains, be sure to inspect your attic for drips and pooling water collecting around the perimeter of your home. Also, inspect the area around the vent pipes for rust and corrosion, and also the caulking located near the base of the flashing seals. If any of these materials show signs of water damage, they’ll need to be replaced immediately.

Mold, Moss, and Algae

Inspect the rooftop for mold growing in patches. Moss and algae are easy to spot and is usually a sign of excessive moisture leading to severe decaying of your roofing materials. If the materials underneath the shingles are covered in mold and water damage, they will need to be replaced to prevent further deterioration of your rooftop. Algae and mold are also quick to grow underneath cracked and missing tiles or around gutters that are overflowing and clogged. Not only is mold dangerous as it weakens the structure of your rooftop, it can also contaminate the air quality inside our homes and become dangerous to our health.

DIY Roofing Inspections vs. Professional Services

While we always encourage homeowners to keep an eye on their roofs for potential problems, performing a thorough, safe, and effective roofing inspection is a job that’s best left to the professionals. Roof inspections require physical agility, expertise, and training, so don’t take the risk of serious injury unless you’re confident you can safely and effectively climb your roof and perform a worthwhile inspection. The best way to maintain your roof is by forming a relationship with a reputable and experienced roofing company.

A professional roofing company like ours at RJW Exteriors can assist you with the services you need to take care of your rooftop—from inspections, to repairs, replacement roofing, and more. If you’d like to learn more about the services our roofing contractors provide for our customers at RJW Exteriors, give us a call to speak with one of our representatives over the phone. Or, if you’d like to get started by scheduling a free, in-home pricing estimate, fill out our online form and we’ll get in touch with you shortly.