It’s that time of the year again… You need to get the ladder out and climb up to the roof of your home to check for damages. Every year, at least once, maybe twice if you live in a temperate climate, you should check your roof for damages. Because of severe weather, high winds and rain, your roof may experience easily fixable damages, or damages that need professional attention. It is important you take the time to face your fear of heights and get a good look at your roof. It might save you money in the long run. Here is what you should do during your yearly roof maintenance checkup:
- Assess the Shingles
- Look for Leaks
- Clean the Gutters
- Get a Professional Roof Inspection
Assess the Shingles
As soon as you make it up to your roof, you should be checking all of your shingles. The shingles are the flat rectangular pieces that lay all over your roof. They are usually made of asphalt or some kind of roofing material. They usually overlap each other to completely cover your roof structure. The shingles should be attached to the roof in a way that effectively channels water off of the roof. When assessing the shingles, make sure all of the individual slats are still facing the same way and still flat on your roof. Things to look for when it comes to shingles:
- Missing shingles
- Curling shingles
- Cracked shingles
- Peeling granules
If you see any of these problems above, it could be an easy fix depending on the severity of the problem. If you only have a few shingles out of place or missing, it can be easily replaced and repaired, even by yourself. We suggest contacting a professional if you see more than half of your roof has damaged shingles. Be sure to do a thorough inspection and look at every shingle. Some of the cracks or curling can be hard to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
Look for Leaks
If you see any damaged shingles while you’re assessing your roof, you most likely have some kind of leak in your attic or ceiling. If your shingles are damaged and aren’t doing their job correctly, rain water can make its way into your home. As part of your roof inspection, you should also be checking inside your home for any water stains. You will find these stains on the ceiling or in your attic. Also look for strange odors, discoloration and bulging patches on your wall. These are signs of a leak. If you find any of these signs, your first step is to find the source of the leak. Wherever you found damaged shingles or granules, that’s probably where the leak is coming from. If you are having trouble finding the source or patching up the leak, call a professional roofer immediately. They can finish your inspection and fix up your roof in no time!
Clean the Gutters
If you have inspected your shingles and haven’t found any leaks, your next step is to check your gutters! After a year of high winds or storms, your gutters are probably full of branches, leaves and other debris buildup. You want to clean out those gutters as soon as you can. If your gutters are blocked with debris, water from rain and storms won’t be able to properly channel away from your roof and your home. This can lead to water damage in your home if not properly taken care of in a timely manner. If you live in an area with frequent storms or strong winds, we suggest cleaning your gutters twice a year. If you have any low hanging branches, try trimming the limbs so they are less likely to leave debris in your gutters.
Get a Professional Roof Inspection
During your own roof inspection, if you find multiple shingles are damaged and lots of leaks in your attic, call a professional roofing company right away. Sometimes the damages are too extensive for you to do it yourself, and that’s okay! A professional roof company like Lewis Roofing can be on your property in no time for a thorough inspection.
Our team at Lewis Roofing takes the time to assess every inch of your roof as well as your ceilings and attics to make sure your roof is healthy. If you need a yearly roof inspection and can’t do it yourself, Lewis Roofing is here when you need us most! If you have already completed a roof inspection and need professional help, Lewis Roofing can finish the job for you so you don’t have to worry!
