What A Roofing Contractor Looks For When Inspecting A Roof
It's not totally uncommon for homeowners to neglect the maintenance of their home's roof. A roof that has issues, however, can cause a great deal of damage to the home — not just from moisture getting inside, but also from problems that can emerge from a structural standpoint. If your home has never been inspected for needed maintenance or repairs, then it would be a good idea to get a free bid from a contractor on potential repairs that need to be done. There are a few specific things that professional roofers will check when inspecting a home.
Damaged or Rotting Roof Parts
A roof is made up of several components. Shingles are the most common surface-level parts of a roof, and they can become old and damaged from wind, water, and the sun. This can cause them to break off and expose the protective sheet below the shingle to wear, causing the wood below it to rot. An inspection will examine any part of the roof that has damage. If there are missing shingles, a roofer will look to see if water has caused damage where the shingle was previously placed. In some cases, if it appears that the wood below a shingle has become exposed to a lot of harsh weather and has split, a roofer may examine it from the interior of the home's attic to see if there has been any leaking. A thorough look at any small damage is necessary to see what repairs may be necessary.
Structural Issues from Settling and Other Damage
Roofs can become unstable and even potentially shift out of place if a home's structural position shifts. If your home has had settling issues, for example, this could cause the structure of your roof to move or get damaged. It's important to report settling issues to your roofer when he or she is doing an inspection. Animals and insect infestations can also damage roofs. Squirrels in some areas create holes in parts of roofs in order to get into aattics. Termite infestations and other types of infestations may also be detected during a roofing inspection, and those parts of the roof that are affected will need to be immediately repaired.
Poor Insulation May Impact a Home
Most new homes probably have roofs that are fully insulated, which provides an extra buffer from leak issues as well as issues relating to how well a home retains hot and cold air. Having a roofing inspection will usually involve checking your home's insulation. If your home is not properly insulated, it could be costing you money in heating and air conditioning costs because of the heat transfer through your roof. Insulation keeps your home more comfortable, and it saves you money on electricity by retaining the hot or cold air you are using. Your roofer can add insulation during your inspection to any part of the attic that isn't protected.
A roof that you know is in good repair is something that will give you peace of mind, and it will provide your home with the protection it needs. When it comes to protecting the value of your home, the exterior parts of your home need to be regularly maintained. A roofing inspection will help you learn what you need to do to make sure your roof is in the best condition.
To learn more, contact a roofer.