If you’re a homeowner, you probably already understand how important your roof is. If you want to know how to do a quick visual inspection of your roof, so you can know whether it’s time to call for a professional inspection, keep reading. Here are some of the top problem areas to look for – and you don’t even need to get up on the roof to see them.
Shingles
Your roof’s shingles should look neat and orderly, so you can usually spot something wrong with them from the ground. A dark spot where one or more shingles is missing is an obvious sign that something’s wrong and you should call us. If any shingles have started to buckle or curl, that means you probably have a ventilation problem in your attic, which is trapping warm and moist air in it. That curling needs to be addressed because it’s an easy entry for water to start leaking in.
Flashing
You should be able to inspect some of your flashing just by climbing a step ladder and looking at your roof. The flashing is the strip of metal used around joints or intersections (around the chimney is a real common area to find it. The flashing is used to seal your roof and keep out water. If the flashing is beginning to rust or crack, or if the sealant around it is shrinking, it’s time to give us a call.
Gutters
If your roof’s gutters become clogged, it can make water back up onto your roof – which usually means it will work its way under the shingles. Keeping your gutters clear of leaves and other debris is an important part of maintaining your roof and protecting.
Keep an eye out for those three problem areas – and if something looks “off,” don’t hesitate to give us a call.