What To Expect During A Home Roof Inspection

There are several reasons why you may need a roof inspection, such as the purchase of a new home or fear of a leak after a bad storm. The purpose of the inspection is to spot current damage as well as developing problems so that the roof can be repaired before a premature replacement is required. The following are the parts of the roof you want to make sure your contractor inspects.

Attic and Decking

Not all roof damage is obvious from the outside. In fact, the type of damage that is most likely to cause problems may only be easily found by inspecting inside the home. Your inspector should go into your attic to check for things like wet or moldy insulation, water stains on the underside of the roof decking and on the rafters, and signs of rot. They will also inspect the inside of the attic vents to make sure they are allowing sufficient airflow and that any pest prevention screens are still in good repair.

Shingles

Shingles are the protective cover on your roof, so any damage needs to be found and repaired quickly. An inspector will actually get on the roof to perform the inspection. They will look for obvious signs of damage, such as cupped, shrunken, curling, and cracked shingles. The inspector will also be looking for less obvious types of damage, including gravel loss, compression from hail damage, and popped or missing nails. Replacing a few damaged shingles now can help delay the need for a full roof replacement.

Flashing and Caps

Flashing, roof caps, and vent caps often fail even when the rest of the roof still has a lot of life left in it. Catching flashing and cap failure early means you can fix it before moisture gets in and starts damaging shingles and decking. Your inspector will look for things like loose flashing, missing or damaged caps, popped nails, and failing caulk. Replacement of just the damaged areas is all that is needed if problems are founded.

Eaves and Gutters

Eaves damage is more likely with wood, where rot can be a problem. The soffit vents on the underside of the eaves can also be a problem, especially if the screens are missing or if the vents have become blocked. As for gutters, your inspector will ensure they are not leaking or blocked since these problems could cause water to damage the eaves or backflow onto the roof.

Contact a roof inspection service for more help.