What Roof Problems Look Like From The Ground
A year is a long time and with most professional inspections occurring once a year for most homeowners, a lot of things can happen in that time. Doing periodic self-inspections throughout the year (especially after storms or other strong weather events) can help bridge this gap and potentially save you a lot of stress and money should you come across a problem!
No Need For Your Feet To Leave The Ground, Just Walk Around Your Home & Look
So, where to start? Well the inside of your home is a good place to begin your inspection. Grab a flashlight and get into your attic, if you can, and have a good look around. You’re are looking for:
Any sagging areas
Leaks or other signs of water damage
Dark spots or trails
Light seeping through the roof..
Make note of any damage you find, and head outside. From the ground you should be able to see most of your roof. Look at the exterior, noting things like damaged flashings and/or buckled, missing, blistering, rotting or curled shingles and algae growth.
Don’t Get On The Roof Without Knowledge & Proper Safety Equipment, Better Yet, Don’t Get On The Roof, Let The Pros Handle That
Getting on a roof without the proper safety equipment, experience, and knowledge of roofing systems is extremely dangerous. Most roof estimates include full inspections at no cost and we highly recommend allowing the professionals to handle the dangerous parts!
You should be able to look for most of these from the ground but for the best results, call in a roof contractor for a full inspection:
roof contractor Look closely at the shingles, look for cracking, bald, or missing ones.
Look around for loose material or wear around the chimneys, pipes and vents.
Inspect the gutters and at the bottom of the downspouts looking for excessive shingle granules as this is a sign of wear.
Examine the drainage system itself, checking that gutters and downspouts are properly attached and free and clear of debris.
Look for signs of moisture, mold/fungi, or rot. Don’t just check damaged areas as water will travel from the damaged area to other parts of the roof. Look everywhere. Leaks cause mold, fungi, and bacteria growth within 48 hours of exposure and can appear anywhere.
Make sure ventilation from interior rooms such as the bathroom, kitchen, or other high humidity areas go directly outside and not into your attic.
Any of these signs can indicate major problems compromising not only your roof but everything it protects!
If you find any problems during your inspection, your next step is to call BSTAR Roofing at 832-841-4040 in Metro Houston and schedule a formal inspection & estimate as soon as possible!