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Roofing
Inspections
Over the course of a
season, roofing materials are exposed to tremendous temperature
changes that cause shingles and flashing to expand and contract.
Eventually, this process causes roofing materials to wear out (20 to
30 years for most shingles). Therefore, a roof should be thoroughly
inspected at least once a year. And a roof approaching 15 years of
age becomes a candidate for re-roofing.
From the ground, you can get a pretty good idea of what shape the
roof is in by visually inspecting it with binoculars and checking
downspouts for shingle granuals that have washed down. However, the
most accurate way to inspect the roof is by accessing it, or at
least climbing a ladder to get a closer look.
CAUTION: Always exercise care when
using a ladder and accessing a roof. Also, shingles are easily
damaged when they're hot and cold, so avoid walking on them as much
as possible.
The basic indicators of a deteriorating roof are cupping, buckling,
loose or missing shingles, and loss of granuals. Tar/patching marks
or sections of different colored shingles indicate past repairs and
the roofing cement used to patch them may only last a few years.
Check these areas from inside the attic, too.
You can tell a lot about a roof by how it looks. Normally, a good
indicator of a well laid roof is straight lines. If shingles were
set and fastened properly, they should form straight lines all the
way up and across the roof. This tends to indicate that the roof is
well built and as a result, will last longer.
Throughout the winter, seeing snow -- rather than ice -- on the roof
is better. Ice indicates melting snow caused by warm spots inside
the attic. This process can lead to ice dams and eventual structural
damage.
Look for any unevenness or sagging in the roof (check inside the
attic, too). If the ridge or whole sections of the roof sag, there
could be insufficient framing support -- contact a pro.
Warning Signs
Composition Shingles: curling, loss of granulation, broken,
damaged or missing shingles, only one layer of roofing
Wood Shingles/Shakes: mold or decay, splitting or curling
Flat Roof: obvious patches, cracks or tears, several blisters
and/or wrinkles (also check patched areas from inside the attic)
Flashing: tears, buckling around roof penetrations
Roofing Cement: excess cement, crumbling
Soffits and Fascia: decay, stains
Soffit & Ridge Vents: clogged or damaged vents, flashing and
shingles around them curling or missing
Gutters: decay or rust, leaky seams, loosely attached to
structure, bent or sagging, missing sections of gutter or downspout,
filled with debris. Clogged gutters can easily freeze shut and cause
excessive weight on gutter fasteners, ice dam conditions, and
slippery walks below.
Chimneys: leaning, loose or missing flashing, damaged bricks,
cap or cracked joints. Chimney flashing is especially prone to
tearing because a chimney settles independently from the house. |
