Roof Inspection & Repair

Inspection Schedule

• Do not neglect regular roof inspections. Set up an inspection schedule for each season and keep it in a visible place, such as on a clipboard in the garage near the light switch, where you will see it frequently. Mark your inspection dates for the year in your calendar or organizer. A good inspection frequency is quarterly, although monthly is also a good idea. Plan to inspect gutters, downspouts and foundations at the same time as the roof. It is also important to inspect your roof after severe wind, rain and snow storms. The sooner you know about any problems or damage, the easier and less costly it will be to repair it.

What to Inspect

• Start your inspection inside the house, looking closely around window sills and frames, along the ceilings where the walls meet the ceilings and inside fireplaces. Look for water stains, drips and moisture. Look at all the wood under the eaves for signs of moisture, insects and rot. Note where you see any signs of water and any accompanying smells and their locations, so you can look at the corresponding places on the outside of the house. Inspect shingles for moss, leaf and tree litter buildup, holes, bubbles and blisters, curling and discoloration. Check all along the length of gutters for signs of leaking, loose or missing hardware and clogs, and check all flashing around chimneys, stink pipes and skylights. Look at all roof louvers and vents and make sure they aren’t blocked with leaf debris. Check the shingles and seal of the peak of the roof. Go into the attic and check for signs of water leaking and air leaking, as well as faulty or clogged ventilation fans.

Simple Repairs

• Do simple repairs yourself, such as replacing missing shingles, nailing and gluing down loose shingles and sealing roof edges. Repair or replace loose or corroded flashing. Tighten up all gutter fixtures. Seal any air leaks in the attic to prevent different temperatures on the roof in winter. Replace any wood under the eaves that is soft or rotted. Clear gutters of leaf and twig litter and any other obstructions. Use a stiff utility broom to remove any moss or algae build up and then spray with a moss killer.

Complicated Repairs

• More complicated repairs that may require a roofing specialist include replacing rotted rafters, very large holes from fallen trees and tree limbs and extensive storm damage. Damage to roof tiles, wood shake shingles and metal tiles probably requires professional repairs. Very old, worn and missing roofs, those older than 25 years, should be completely removed and replaced.