Don’t let your fear of costly roof replacements keep you from doing routine and post-storm checks. It is always better to catch and resolve minor issues right away. And, if you do need a new roof, know that it is one of the best investments you can make to keep your home and family protected. Plus—your home insurance may cover annual inspections and minor repairs. Make sure you know what’s in your plan.
When Should You Inspect Your Roof?
Experts recommend you inspect twice a year, in the spring and fall, as weather transitions between winter and summer storms. You should also check your roof right after any storms, any time of year. Keep in mind that even consistent weather events, such as a series of windy days, can create damage.
What Should You Look For?
Using binoculars from the ground, look for debris and moss, as both can capture moisture leading to roof damage. Inspect for warped, buckled, damaged, or missing shingles or tiles. On metal roofs, look for corrosion, dents, rusting, and separation between panels.
This is also a good time to look at trees near your home, making sure branches are not too close to cause damage. If you have an attic, look from the inside to assess any leaks or other issues.
After a storm, look for broken, buckled, loose, or missing shingles or tiles and on metal roofs, loose panels, buckling, dents, or other damage. Check gutters, skylights, chimneys, and satellite dishes for broken or missing pieces.
DIY v. Hire
If you have a safe ladder, you can remove debris and address minor damage, such as missing shingles, on your own. You can also likely remove moss with your hands, but you may need to use a moss killer if it’s been there a while.
But it’s never a bad idea to have a reputable roofing company do an inspection since they know exactly what to look for and how to do simple repairs efficiently. You should call a roofing company any time there is severe damage. If your roof is older than 10 years, you should deal with all issues immediately and keep up with regular maintenance to get the most out of its life.
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