Roofing inspections are always best done by a professional, but we understand that sometimes homeowners don’t have the time to be around for a professional to come by. Homeowners can perform basic inspections themselves in order to catch issues early, before they turn into a huge and costly problem. This article will give you some ideas for inspecting your own roof, and then you can decide if you need a professional to take a look at the problem.
In our last post, we went over several things that you should keep an eye on as a homeowner when it comes to your roof. Start with that article if you have not read it already, as that will have key information you will want to keep an eye out for while performing your inspections.
How to Perform a DIY Roofing Inspection
- Check the ceiling inside your home.
Look for discolored areas, or stains, as that will be a sign of water damage. Go into rooms you normally aren’t in, check corners, and closets. Once done with this, it is time to head to the attic. - Turn off the lights in the area near your attic and look around.
You are looking to see if there is any natural light making it into your attic. If you see any clearly visible light, those areas are vulnerable to leaks. To confirm, grab a hose, and spray some water on the outside of your roof where you saw light making it through. Then go back into the attic and check that same area for water. - Take a look at your drainage and gutters.
Are they still properly secured to the home? Are they free of debris so that they can take the water away as intended? - Check the roof close up.
Now we are getting into the more demanding area of inspection! Grab a ladder and pick a spot of your roofing to inspect. If you don’t feel comfortable walking on your roof, just press on different areas with your hands. You are checking for any soft spots that may indicate that the wood is not holding up well. - Don’t forget to check the flashing!
Flashing is a water resistant strip that will commonly be found around piping on the roof, or vents to direct water away from those areas. You will want to make sure it is still secured to the home, and not peeling up easily.
If you inspections lead you to believe that you have a leak, or damaged roofing, you should take care of this sooner rather than later. If the roof has a weak point, bad weather could lead to a much larger problem later on. Get it taken of quickly, and use a professional to make sure it is done right.