Owning a home is a huge responsibility, and one of the most important parts of keeping your home in tip-top shape is keeping your roof in good condition. Regular roofing inspection is the best way to catch problems early and prevent costly repairs down the road.
Not sure how to inspect your roof? Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with this handy roofing inspection checklist that you can follow easily.
With regular inspections, you can keep your roof in great condition for years to come. Let’s get started!
What Are the Most Important Items to Check When Inspecting Your Roof?
You should inspect your roof – either yourself or by having a professional do it – on a regular basis. It’s just like going to the doctor for an annual check-up. You can catch potential issues early and prevent them from becoming more serious.
Try to inspect your roof at least once or twice a year – more often if your home is older. The older your roof is, the more likely it is to succumb to damage. Remember, even if your home looks fine from the outside, a careful inspection might reveal damages that were initially not that obvious.
A roof inspection will look at the following problem areas:
- Decking
- Roof vents
- Field tears
- Gutters, drainage pipes, and downspouts
- Surface membranes
- Flashing
- Shingles
Roof Inspection Checklist: Key Areas to Look At
Here’s a checklist of what to look for when you are inspecting your roof.
-
Gutters and Downspouts
Drains and gutters play a huge role in creating ponding water – something we’ll address later in this post. Check your gutters and downspouts often for clogs and damages to prevent water from pooling on your roof. Especially for asphalt roofs, ponding can rapidly lead to roof failure.
-
Edge Detail
A detailed roofing inspection will also take a look at your edge materials. These need to be secured down tightly and terminated – if not, they could come loose.
-
Check the Field for Cracks or Tears
Look closely at the roof field, too. Cuts and tears are commonly incurred by debris, so it’s important to prevent costly damages by addressing these cuts before they become larger.
-
Look at the Flashing
Watch out for any of the following issues with your flashing:
- Damaged or missing material
- Rusty or corroded metal flashing
- Cracks and crevices
Cracks are most common around transition points (like where the flashing goes from flat to vertical). These are easiest repaired if you catch them early on, so look closely for details like walls, stacks, and curbs.
-
Watch for Ponding Water
Look for slow-draining lines and areas that are blocked. You might not see any actual water, but if you notice color changes or stains, that’s an indication that water has sat there for a long period of time.
While you’re at it, take the time to look for any signs of mold, condensation, or wet insulation – these are often easiest to detect from inside the home.
-
Take Care of Debris
While you should make it a goal to clear debris from the roof on a regular basis, you will also want to conduct a regular inspection to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Remove things like leaves, branches, and other messes so water can drain better.
-
Shingle Details
Inspect your shingles closely, too. You’ll want to watch out for any of the following issues, all of which need to be addressed as soon as possible:
- Missing or loose shingles
- Blistered, split, or curled shingles
- Broken seals
- Excessive granule loss
- Exposed or loose nails (including those that have popped)
- Loose shingles or broken shingles at the hip and ridgelines
-
Head Inside
While most of the above roof inspection items can be done from the outside, there are a few areas you’ll want to inspect while you’re inside your home.
Go up into your attic (or the highest room in your home) and take a look at the ceiling to see if you notice any of the following issues:
- Cracks in the roof sheathing
- Sagging decking between the rafters
- Outside light coming through
- Leaks around chimneys, vents, or other holes to the outside
Also, check the attic intake vents as well as the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans for proper ventilation.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
The best way to protect your home (and your investment) is by conducting routine roofing inspections. By following our roofing inspection checklist, you can be sure that no detail goes overlooked.
Not interested in getting up on your roof to inspect it for yourself – or looking for some extra support after a storm? If so, you may want to contact the experts.
A contractor might be able to provide you with a cursory roof inspection, which will involve examining the exterior of the roof along with basic components, like flashings. While this can be helpful, you’ll need a more thorough inspection to identify areas of concern that could lead to more costly repairs.
Whether you’re looking for specialized insurance restoration experts or just a team of licensed roofers to help you identify potential problems, the team at Ashton McGee Restoration Group is here to help. We pride ourselves on innovation, integrity, and honesty – and above all, we want to make sure no roofing problem goes over your head.
Contact us – schedule a free roof inspection today!