The Ultimate Roof Inspection Checklist

Do the shingles of your roof appear intact? That might be a good sign. However, it does not necessarily mean your roof is in good shape.

Many issues might be transpiring below the surface of the roof that you can’t see. The deck, joints, or sides could be experiencing damages that could threaten the life span of your roof.

If you don’t address roof damages on time, you risk facing costly repairs or having to replace the entire roof prematurely. The good news is that such a scenario can be avoided through proper roof inspection.

A roof inspection will help you determine any hidden issues your roof faces. Besides, the inspection will help simplify the process of filing an insurance claim in case of serious damages.

However, to reap the benefit of roof inspection, you must do it right. An inadequate roof inspection will still expose you to surprise costly repairs.

So, what elements should you look out for during roof inspection? If you have no idea, worry no more.

Here is the ultimate roof inspection Checklist you can utilize.

Inspect Flashing

Flashing is one of the crucial areas you should check during a roof inspection. It’s the thin layer of waterproof material found on your roof aimed at preventing water incursion.

The most common material used for flashing today includes aluminum, galvanized steel, and PVC. Such materials let the rain or melting snow flow over the roof instead of leaking in.

If your flashing has issues, then you risk facing water leakage. When inspecting your flashing, check out for cracks or tears. If you discover any, then you should have the flash replaced.

Check the Roofs Entire Surface

Whether you have a tile, shingle, or metal roof, there are clear signs that might indicate your roof needs repair. Check for cracked, torn, or missing shingles when inspecting your entire roof.

If the shingles have curled or buckled, it’s also a sign your roof is not in good condition. While inspecting the entire surface, also check for loose nail heads or nails. If such nails are not fixed before winter, then you risk having your roof caving in.

Also, check for the presence of asphalt shingle granules in the gutters. If you find any, then you should be concerned. It’s a sign your roof is undergoing wear and tear.

Check the Attic or Highest Ceiling

If you discover water stains, cracking, and other signs of damage on your ceiling, it’s a clear sign your roof is leaking. In some instances, the water stains might be too little, and we might tend to overlook them.

If you do so, you risk facing severe water leakage in the future. Thus, if you discover something is wrong with your ceiling, immediately fix the issue or hire roofing services.

Check the Decking and Underlayment

Your roofs deck is the hardwood that rests on top of the beams to offer support to other layers of the roof. The underlayment is the fiberglass paper put on the deck to offer cover.

If your roof is leaking, chances are your decking will absorb water. The high moisture content can easily make your deck rot. Thus, during the inspection, check whether your deck is rotting.

Check for Sagging Signs

While inspecting your roof, check for any dropping or sagging. Make sure to walk on all sides of your roof while checking for sagging signs.

On a rainy day, if you discover the presence of pools of trapped water, it’s a sign your roof is drooping. A saggy roof should be a point of concern as it indicates you need an emergency roof repair.

You need to hire a roofing company near you in such a case. But when hiring a roofing repair company, be keen; not all roofing companies out there are reliable.

Some are after making a profit only. Ensure to read reviews from sites such as Better Business Bureau to determine the roofing company’s reputation.

Check for Signs of Mold and Moss

Check for mold or moss growth on your roof, especially on the shady corners. The presence of mold and moss indicates your roof is trapping moisture.

If you don’t have the issues of moisture accumulation solved on time, you risk having rapid mold or moss growth taking place. As a homeowner, the last thing you want is to expose your family to health issues resulting from the presence of mold.

Hence you should hire a roofing contractor to determine the source of moisture and fix the issue.

Examine the Gutters Condition

As a homeowner, your gutters and areas surrounding them should be key areas of concern. If your gutters are not in good condition, they will not direct the water away from your home’s foundation.

Besides, if your gutter is clogged and there is an overflow, water might leak into your house. Thus, during an inspection, you must assess the condition of the gutters.

Check whether there is any debris that might block water flow. If you find any, ensure to get rid of them. During the inspection, check whether the gutters exhibit signs of corrosion or degradation.

If the gutters are corroded, you need to replace them with new ones.

Look at Your Downspouts

A downspout is a vertical pipe that connects with your gutters. It’s responsible for directing water to the ground. If the downspout is not in good condition, water will leak and move towards your home foundation.

Thus, check whether the downspout is corroded or firmly fixed during an inspection. You also need to pay attention to the downspout termination. If debris is blocking the termination, it means the water might overflow back to the gutters.

Use the Above Ultimate Roof Inspection Checklist

Even though your roof appears to be generally in good condition, some roof damage signs might escape your eyes. By carrying out proper roof inspection, you can spot all damage signs exhibited by your roof.

Are you looking for roof inspection or repair services in Norman, Oklahoma, and the surrounding areas? At VH1 roofing, we got you covered.

We are trusted roofing experts specializing in installing, inspecting, and repair of roofs for both commercial and residential customers.