Warm temperatures are coming. It’s time to inspect your roof again. Noting and taking care of repairs now means you won’t have to worry about things later, when the days grow sizzling hot. Here’s what we recommend doing to ensure your roof is ship-shape for the coming season.
These are home inspection recommendations. Please always use appropriate safety precautions if you are going to get on your roof. If this is not something you are comfortable with, please stay safe and ask a roofing professional to do a comprehensive inspection. There are often signs of roofing damage that only a trained professional can spot, so in addition to these periodic homeowner inspections, it is wise to have your roof inspected by a professional at least once per year.
Make a Visual Inspection
First, take a walk around the outside of your home to look for winter damage. Look for things such as:
- Loose, Damaged, or Missing Shingles or Tiles.
- Nails or Fasteners Backing Out
- Damaged Flashing Around Chimneys.
- Rotten Wood Around Chimney.
- Rotten Fascia Boards (near roof edge)
- Branches or Debris on the Roof.
- Clogged or Damaged Gutters. (You would be amazed at the problems this can cause.)
Be sure to inspect the ground and gutters around your home, as well. This is where you’ll spot the granules that mean asphalt shingles are wearing. Unusual debris around the perimeter of your home could be a sign that your roof needs attention.
Visit the Attic
If you are able to access your attic, look for water stains or other signs of roof damage. Make sure you can’t see daylight from inside, and check insulation for signs of dampness, mildew, or mold. A roofer will need to seal any cracks or holes you find. You might also want to use this time to consider having a roofer install a radiant barrier in your attic to help keep the summer heat from transferring to your lower levels.
Inspect Skylights & Chimney Flashing
If you have them, look at the skylights from both the inside and outside for signs of leakage or wear and tear. And if your skylight is old or was pre-existing when you bought your home, consider replacing it. Old skylights not only tend to leak, but they don’t provide the protection you need from overheating and UV rays. Adding a solar film to an older skylight can help, but sometimes, it may be better to replace or eliminate the skylight altogether.
This is also a good time to look around your chimney to see if there is any sign of water damage. Often, the seal or flashing around the chimney may wear down over time, so pay special attention to the edges.
Call a Roofing Professional
It’s always a good idea to have your roof inspected regularly by a roofing professional. After you’ve completed your walk-around and noted any problem areas, call your local roofing guys for a formal inspection. They can fix any small issues while advising you on your options for larger projects such as roof replacement.
When you’re ready for a roof inspection, repair, or replacement, call Perry Roofing in Gainesville, FL. Since 1976, we’ve been serving Gainesville and surrounding communities with top-notch roofing repairs and replacement. Contact us today for a roof inspection.