You should have your home roof inspected by a professional contractor at least once a year. In the meantime, you can perform a self-inspection if you know what to look for.
In most cases, the symptoms of a roof that needs maintenance are easy to identify. Here are some tips to help get you started!
When Should You Inspect Your Roof?
There are critical moments when a roof assessment is necessary.
After a Hail Storm
Hail storms can often leave hefty damage to homes. Especially in Minnesota, hail can get to large sizes.
After your home has experienced a hail storm, you should check your roof for dents and pits on its surface.
Ice Dams
Ice dams can weigh down on your roof’s foundation and wear it down. After a particularly intense winter, you should inspect your roof to ensure ice dams and heavy snow don’t leave damage.
Wind Storms
In Minnesota, tornado warnings are common. Additionally, Minnesota can experience high winds during rainstorms and blizzards.
After your home endures extreme winds, you should ensure your roof isn’t missing any shingles or other important pieces.
Gutters
Gutters provide a system that protects your home’s roof and foundation from water damage. If you notice your gutters are broken or malfunctioning, you should take the time to inspect your roof and ensure no additional damage has occurred.
Leaking or broken gutters often indicate that your roof is at risk for water damage.
Warranty
If the warranty has expired on your roof, that means that problems are sure to arise. Warranties cover the expected lifespan and nothing more.
Identifying the Symptoms of a Damaged Roof
Now that you know when to assess your roof, it’s time to know what to look for. Remember that, essentially, all roofs have to contend with two elements: wind and moisture.
Although heat and UV rays will also cause wear and tear on a roof, wind, and rain can penetrate the surface. It’s the point of penetration that you should be most concerned with.
Here’s a list of common symptoms that are easy to identify.
Leaks
There is no greater indication of a weak or damaged roof than water coming through the surface.
Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t realize that even the smallest holes can cause a detrimental amount of damage, so check your home’s attic or ceiling for damp or dark spots.
Missing Pieces
While this can happen in multiple situations, most of the time, it’s from strong winds and severe storms, and in most cases, these can be fixed by replacing the missing components.
So check for missing shingles, tiles, or other components on the roofing system.
Poor Ventilation
Poor roofing and attic ventilation can cause all sorts of problems, from ice dam build-ups to excess moisture in the environment.
Are the vents on the top or the side of the roof in good condition? Are there enough piping boots to ensure it is venting properly?
Flashing
The flashing is one of the first things to be damaged on the roof; if there’s a weak point, this can develop problems throughout your home.
The flashing should be rust-free and in excellent condition with no cracks or holes.
Chimney
All chimneys and pipes should be properly sealed around the boots and have no missing components.
Decking
The decking should be completely intact with no separated boards. The wood boards should lie flat with no buckling or warped areas.
Mold or Mildew
Asphalt, wood, and concrete tile roofs are more susceptible to algae and moss growth if not maintained.
The growth can eat away at the material and create much larger problems, so if you’re finding a mold infestation, this can be a sign of roofing system deterioration.
Get Your Roof Professionally Inspected
If you need your roof professionally inspected, contact the certified roofing contractors at Intelligent Design Corp. We provide a wide range of residential and commercial roofing services for home and business owners in Maple Grove, Minnesota, and the surrounding area.
Our team is here to answer all your questions, so call us at 763-315-0745 or message us on our contact page.
