What is the importance of inspecting your roof?

A roof inspection is one of those things that everyone knows needs to be done, but no one actually does it. Due to forgetfulness, hassle or simple laziness, people postpone roof inspections and only remember to tackle it out once something goes wrong. But, as you will soon learn, there are multiple benefits to inspecting your roof on a regular basis. So, to give you an idea of why you need to check your roof, and to hopefully motivate you to do so more often, we are going to go over the real importance of inspecting your roof.

What are the benefits of inspecting your roof

Most people consider a roof as simply a bunch of tiles stacked up together in order to provide some protection from the rain. While, in reality, a roof is a carefully designed system made not only to protect from rain but from other elements as well. If you choose the right roofing contractor to install it and maintain it properly, it can last for decades without any need for major repairs. But, if you do neglect it, an avoidable issue can become quite large and can end up costing you a fortune to fix. So, if you are not sure whether inspecting your roof is worth the trouble, keep on reading.

Better functioning roof

In order for your roof to function properly, it needs to be free of damages and clutter. And the only way to make it so is to inspect it regularly. So, one of the most straightforward reasons why you need to inspect your roof is in order to keep it functional.

Early damage assessment

If there is some damage, you want to assess it as early as possible. A simple leak can be fixed easily by an amateur if it is small enough. But, if left untreated, small leaks become large leaks. And after a certain point, leaks can even cause damage to your entire house. Now, if you succeed in finding the best storage option, you can declutter your attic and save your items from leakage. But, the best-case scenario is to avoid having them at all. So, if you want to keep your house well-functioning and free of costly damages, inspect your roof.

Cheaper repairs

Another benefit of catching the damage early is that repairing it will cost you less. If you opt to do it on your own, you will only have to spend a small amount of time and materials in order to fix a small issue. Even if you opt for hiring professionals to do it for you, the smaller the issue, the smaller the cost. So, keep in mind that inspecting your roof can potentially save you a fortune.

Pro vs DIY roof inspection

Now, the important thing to consider is whether or not to hire professionals to inspect your roof for you. After all, they can notice and fix issues that you might not even notice. On the other hand, if you opt for inspecting your roof on your own, you will save money and could even learn something about your home. So, what are you to do? Well, our advice is to have a DIY roof inspection every month and call a professional to check it out every year. This should be often enough for you to notice any issues in the early stages, and reap all the benefits of doing so.

It goes without saying that if there are a major storm or you believe that your roof is damaged, you should call professionals as soon as possible. Also, if you choose to repair your own roof, you need to know what you are doing. Some DIY repairs can do more harm than good. So much so that you can even end up causing a fortune’s worth of damage. So, if you are unsure of how to handle a certain issue, call professionals.

Common roof issues

Since DIY roof inspection is something you should do on a regular basis, we will outline certain issues to look out for. That way you will know what to take note of and either fix the issues or call professionals to assist you.

Potential leaks

The most common type of roof issues is leaks. Broken shingles, cracked flashings, damaged tiles… All of them can easily be a sign of a leak. So, if you notice any of these issues, be sure to check for leaks. Now, some areas of your roof can be more prone to leaks as they might have a structural weakness. So, during your DIY roof inspection, make sure to check:

• The base of your chimney.
• Under any damaged pieces.
• Near gutters.
• Close to pipes and vents.
• At skylights.

Clogged gutters

One issue that you should be able to tackle on your own are clogged gutters. Even if you have gutter guards, your gutters can become clogged. This is why, if you want your gutters to function properly, you need to check them regularly. Cleaning your gutters should be a monthly practice if you want to avoid gutter replacement or difficult gutter issues. Gutter inspection can even point at some roof issues that you might not have noticed otherwise.

Even with gutter guards, your gutters can get clogged with debris.

Alt: A clogged gutters with gutter guard, which is something you might see when inspecting your roof.

Winter damage

Bad weather can wreak havoc on any roof, especially if it is not a high-quality one. Snow is a big deal. Once the snow melts, the water can seep into cracks and leaks that you might have in your roof. If the weather becomes colder after that, that water can freeze and potentially ruin your roof.

This is why you need to check your roof for cracks before winter and have a professional inspect it afterward.

About The Author: Michael Anderson is an experienced contractor that has worked on home renovations and repairs for over 15 years. Now, he mainly focuses on writing helpful tips on house maintenance and easier relocation. Companies like U. Santini Moving and Storage Brooklyn benefit from his helpful advice about home management and household moving preparations, as they allow their clients to approach home selling and moving with a far greater degree of understanding.