As a homeowner, you know how important your roof is to your home, and everything inside of it. You probably also know how expensive a complete or even partial reroofing of your home can be. That’s why having a yearly roof inspection done can be so helpful; roof inspections help you catch problems while they are small and before they cause damage to your roof or home, giving you time to fix things before it’s too late.

How to Carry Out a Roof Inspection

There are a few ways of carrying out a roof inspection. If you suspect that there may be problems, you can schedule a roofing contractor to come out and take a look, giving you a detailed report of what they found. You can also carry out a roof inspection on your own, either by climbing onto the roof yourself, or by using a pair of binoculars to allow you to take a look at the roof from the ground.

Ideally, you want to examine the roof from as many angles as you can. Plan on walking around the home to look at the roof from every vantage point. You’ll also want to plan on taking a look at the insides of your gutters to see what, if anything, has settled on the bottoms.

Roof Inspection Checklist

When you’re examining your roof, you want to be on the lookout for the following indicators or issues. Seeing any one of these can be a cause for concern; if you spot them, schedule a follow up visit with your roofing contractor to come take a look and determine just how bad the damage is, and what – if any – repairs need to be made.

  • Cracked or missing caulk around the flashing

  • Rust spots on the flashing

  • Curling shingles

  • Blistering shingles

  • Buckling shingles

  • Cracked or broken shingles

  • Missing shingles

  • Cracked or worn boots around the vent pipes

  • Moss or lichen growing on the roof (black algae or mildew is merely cosmetic and is not harming your roof)

  • Large amounts of granules in the gutters, which could indicate the shingles are decaying

You will also want to keep tabs on the age of the roof itself. If you know that it is nearing the end of its lifespan, and you notice one or more of these issues, you can be better prepared for the inevitable reroofing that is probably on its way.

Easy Repairs or Signs of a Problem

Some of the things that you’ll find during your roof inspection are fairly easy to fix, particularly if they are confined to one or two small areas on the roof.

  • Missing or cracked caulk can be replaced, for example, but rusting flashing or worn boots need to be addressed.

  • One or two missing shingles, cracked shingles, or curling shingles can all be patched or straightened without need to reroof. If there are curling, cracked, or damaged shingles all over the roof, however, this can be a sign of a more serious problem.

  • Moss or lichen growing on your roof can be a sign decay and water damage beneath the shingles, and warrants a closer inspection of the roof to determine its condition.

  • A few granules in the gutters may not be a major cause for concern, but large amounts of granules on an older roof can mean it’s nearing the end of its lifespan.

Be sure to address the minor issues like missing caulk or the occasional cracked, missing, or curling shingle right away to prevent leaks and moisture damage as part of your overall roof maintenance plan.

Maintain Your Roof

A yearly roof inspection should be part of your roof maintenance each and every year. While you may not think about your roof until a leak springs up, by then it can often be too late to stop the moisture damage inside your home. Conduct a yearly roof inspection as part of your maintenance plan and keep your roof in good shape for years to come.