You may be wondering why you need to know about roof inspection and what it entails. Well, in short, a roof inspection is not something that can be taken lightly. A lot of factors come into play with the condition of your roof including: age, weather exposure, maintenance history, material type and more. This blog post will cover some important information that should help you better understand when it might be time for a new roof or if there are any repairs needed before then.
What Is A Roof Inspection And Why Should You Have One Done?
A roof inspection is a comprehensive evaluation of your home’s existing roof. It should be done by an experienced professional to determine the primary issues in need of repair/replacement as well as evaluate any safety concerns that may exist. The reasons you need to know about all factors involved with a roof inspector are:
What Does The Process Entail?
The first phase in a standard roof inspection includes a review and analysis of the home’s construction blueprints, which could include such things as overhang dimensions, eave lengths and any special truss configurations. This information can help give the inspector key insights into materials used on your home when it was built or if there have been any upgrades made since then that might have affected how water flows off the roof.
During this phase, the inspector may also remove any loose cladding material from your roof to better evaluate shingle or flashing conditions (the most common problems to arise when it comes to needing repairs or replacement). According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, the average age for a residential roof is about 15 years in many parts of the country. That means if your roof is older than that and needs repair/replacement you might want to have an inspection done sooner than later so you can get those issues addressed before they become expensive. Also keep in mind that poor drainage systems – which are often a result of improper trimming during installation – can lead to water damage inside your home or even mold growth, further emphasizing the importance in knowing your roof’s current condition.
What Are Some Common Issues That Are Found During Inspections?
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, about 50% of all roof failures are due to improper installation. More often than not, this is a result of shingle nails not being completely sunk into framing members and debris like ice dams collecting on the roof over time, which in turn causes leaking. Another common problem noted by many home inspectors is improper ventilation or airflow caused by clogged ridge vents and/or poor attic-crawl space foam insulation (more often known as air sealing). Some other things that can lead to major problems down the road include: issues with flashings around chimneys or skylights; rusted or damaged roof decking; solid attic insulation having been installed on an old asphalt shingle roof (remember that asphalt is not a great insulator); and windshields or sun roofs leaking after years of exposure to sunlight.
What Should You Do If There Are Problems Found?
If the problem can be addressed with little expense, like a cracked skylight for example, then go ahead and have it repaired before you move forward with any new roof project. However, if the cost of repair exceeds a certain amount – which varies depending on material type – then it might make sense to install something brand new instead of repairing your existing one. In many cases, this could help prolong the life cycle of your home as well as avoid even more expensive issues down the line.
