The first line of protection your home has against mother nature is your roof. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends you do a roof inspection at least two times a year. A bi-annual roof checkup is great, but problems can occur at any time. Check out these easy steps to make sure your roof is holding up to this winter’s elements.
STEP 1: START INDOORS
During the winter months, it can be difficult (and too cold) to get outside and check the exterior of your roof. Thankfully there are still warning signs that can be noted from the indoors. If you have attic access grab a flashlight and head to the top of your home. Look for:
- Places where the roof deck is sagging
- Signs of water damage or leaking
- Dark spots and trails
- Outside light showing through the roof
- Check that all bath, kitchen and dryer vents go entirely outside of your home, not just into the attic space
- If you can’t comfortably access your attic, you can still look for these signs of possible damage:
- Dark areas on ceilings
- Water damage around skylights
- Damp spots alongside fireplaces
- Water stains on pipes venting the water heater or furnace
STEP 2: EVALUATE THE EXTERIOR
Now that you’ve had a chance to evaluate the indoors, take a look outside. In most cases, if you have concerns about your roof do not grab a ladder and walk on it. There are several ways to evaluate your roof safely from the ground. You can do a thorough inspection using a pair of binoculars or a drone mounted camera. Keep an eye out for:
- Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing
- Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering
- Missing, cracked, torn or broken shingles
- Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath
- Peeling paint on the underside of roof overhangs
- Loose material or wear around chimneys, vents, pipes or other penetrations
- Excessive amount of shingle granules (they look like large grains of sand) in the gutters
If your asphalt roof is older than 15 years, it may be due for replacement. According to the “2015 Remodeling Impact Report” from the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, you recover a 105% of your investment if you should decide to sell your home. This makes a roof replacement a remodeling project that repays more than the initial investment. If you find any on the items on this checklist or have any concerns about your roof, contact Brothers Services for a professional assessment. Our consultants will thoroughly evaluate your roof and provide you with the best solution for your project.
