How to learn the condition of your roof

A roof inspection is a preventative measuring tool that is easy to overlook, but you should not. You can learn the condition of your roof through a thorough roof inspection. 

Things a roof inspector looks for:

• Missing or broken shingles
• Cracked vent pipes
• Missing or damaged chimney cap
• Decaying age of the roof due to moss and lichen
• Cracked caulk
• Nails drying up

How does the roof inspector inspect the roof?

1. Carefully inspects the roof’s interior system:

It is very important to check the roof’s interior system by looking for rusts, water stains, corrosion, weakness or any type of loose ends from the roof deck. Roof leaks can only be examined from the inside often times by accessing the attic.

2. Climb the rooftop:

The roof inspector inspects the roof by looking at it closely, to see if there is any damage, signs of leakage, wear, and tear, standing pools of water, etc. as these issues can be a long-term problem and can affect your roof’s sustainability. Some roofers have chosen to fly drones to inspect roofs. This technique misses critical issues and should be avoided. Common areas missed are soft decking, nail pops and shingle waiving because they require touch.

3. Inspects roof-based accessories and equipment:

The roof inspector checks for any kind of leaks that could have occurred due to poorly installed equipment on the roof. Careful examination is necessary to examine areas that include flashing, seals and various areas that are relevant to the particular roof type.

4. Inspects the roof perimeter and field:

Once the general examination of the roof is over, the roof inspector moves to examining the roof’s perimeter to make sure there are no more leaks and that it the major place of the occurrence of leaks. He inspects things like base flashing, coping joints, counter flashing including the gutters. Looking at the roof’s main body is the next step for him. He inspects the roof’s surface to know its condition so that he can see that there is no debris build-up or excessive/lacking amounts of surface layers.

5. Determining solutions:

The roof inspector should always explain the findings and recommend an efficient repair or replacement solution. It is important to have a professional roof inspector who can suggest what is best for keeping the roofing safe from further damage, including solutions to preventing them.  In the event you plan on seeking insurance assistance be sure your roof inspector uses the proper estimating software such as Xactimate. This will promote ease within your overall claims process during claim settlement discussions.

 

Be sure to contact a HAAG certified roof inspection company to assess the condition of your roof and make the best recommendation.