A regular part of keeping your roof in good repair is to have periodic inspections. You may never know your roof has been damaged until an inspector climbs on the roof and looks around. You might want an inspection before you buy or sell a house, after a bad storm, as a requirement for a mortgage or insurance, or just for your own peace of mind. Here are some things you may learn about your roof during an inspection.
If Your Roof Has Water Damage Or Mold
One thing the roofer looks for is mold and water stains. They may inspect your home on the inside as well as the outside in order to look for these spots. Water stains inside your house are typically a good indication that a roof leak is present. If you're not aware of the leak, the water damage will spread, and which may later develop into a significant mold problem too.
When a roof leaks, the water might stay in the attic or roll down between walls. This makes the leak difficult to notice right away. Water that's been leaking in the attic could lead to water damage and mold on the rafters that support your roof. You are going to want to find out about the problem as quickly as possible.
If There Is Rusted Metal On The Roof
Even if you have an asphalt shingle roof, there are metal parts on your roof too. These metal pieces are called flashing, and they line the valley of your roof and surround your chimney and vent pipes. Since flashing is exposed to rain and UV rays, it might slowly deteriorate over time.
If the metal rusts, small holes could develop. Any time there's a hole on your roof, rain could seep through. The roof inspector will take note of rusted areas or other problems with roof flashing so you're aware of the problem.
If the Plywood Deck Seems Saggy
If your roof has been leaking for a while, the plywood deck might be rotting away. If the condition is severe, your roof could even look like it's sagging. If the problem isn't visibly noticeable, the roofing inspector may notice the roof is rotted by the way it feels when they walk on it. A rotted deck is one of the most critical problems you want to uncover with a roof inspection since it's a major safety hazard.
If Your Shingles Have Damage
A roof inspection reveals a lot about the condition of the asphalt shingles and their expected lifespan. The inspector looks for missing shingles, curled shingles, and shingles with cracks, dents, and blisters. They also note how much granule has been lost. The shingles let the inspector know if they've been damaged by hail or poor roof ventilation.
All the information obtained from a roof inspection will let you know what type of repairs your roof needs. If your roof is in bad enough shape, they will let you know if it needs to be replaced rather than repaired. Plus, they'll often give you an idea of the cost since a roof with rotted rafters and a rotted deck will be more costly to repair than a roof that only has old shingles that need to be replaced.
For more information, contact a roof inspection company, such as Top Tier Home Services, to learn more.