Annual roof inspections are a critical task to add to your household chores. Many homeowners don’t consider it a priority, but keeping up with inspections on a consistent basis can save you a major headache in the long run (not to mention significant financial savings). If you haven’t already scheduled your roof inspection for the season, now is a great time to start the year off on the right foot and make an appointment.
Why Are Roof Inspections Important?
Your roof protects your entire home. If it experiences damage that isn’t fixed right away, it can lead to additional damage in other areas, such as your walls, flooring, ceiling, or attic space. Without scheduling an annual inspection, you may have roof damage that you don’t even know about, and the problem may grow.
Our team at Indy Roof & Restoration highly recommends scheduling inspections annually, even if you don’t think there’s any damage. Our top-tier experts are very thorough and can catch small issues before they become major problems down the road. By catching things early, you can prevent the need for costly repairs later on.
When Should You Have an Annual Roof Inspection?
We typically recommend having your annual roof inspection in the fall. This is because the majority of roof damage occurs during the winter months, when we experience harsh weather patterns, including rain, hail, strong winds, and snow.
However, if it’s the middle of winter and you still haven’t scheduled an inspection, it’s not too late! The best thing you can do for your home is to get an appointment on the calendar as soon as possible. It only takes one storm to cause serious damage, and we don’t recommend gambling on that chance.
Things to Look Out for in a Roof Inspection
It’s a great idea to be familiar with your roof and what it looks like so you can catch any glaring issues on your own. However, bringing in an expert roofer once a year is a wise decision. Their advanced industry knowledge allows them to notice small things that may signal bigger problems elsewhere, or even signs that damage is going to occur down the road. For example, cracked shingles may not look like a big deal to you, but they can reduce the integrity of your roof, which is the last thing you want during a heavy storm!). These are some of the symptoms your roofer will be on the lookout for:
Excess Debris
Leaves, dead bugs, and even trash in the gutters and downspouts is a warm invitation for critters to make a home on your roof. To deter rodents and pests from getting too comfortable, it’s best to keep your gutters clear and clean.
Physical Damage
This is where the cracked shingle comes in. However, there are some other signs to keep an eye out for as well. Nails that are popping out, peeling shingles, or lost shingles are all areas where repairs need to be made before major storms roll in.
Drainage
Roofers will be on the lookout for blocked gutters and downspouts. This can lead to a number of problems, one of them being that if the water freezes, it can actually weigh down your gutters and tear them from your roof; it can also lead to a cracked foundation. Additionally, backed-up water can actually cause water damage to both the exterior and interior of your home.
Structural Deformation
Over time, if there are problems that haven’t been addressed (such as sitting water on your roof), it can lead to warping or buckling. If you’re keeping up with your annual roof inspections, you shouldn’t see too much of this because we typically catch the problem before it gets to this point. However, it’s good to check for it, just in case.
Overhanging Branches
Prior to storms, it’s a good idea to make sure there are no branches that could potentially break off and fall onto your home. As the greenery around your home grows and changes, it’s a great idea to check the proximity of your landscaping each year.
Special Consideration for Sloped Roofs
- Missing tabs
- Granular loss
- Corrosion of metal elements
- Fading (not critical, but a sign of aging
Special Consideration for Flat Roofs
- Coating not intact
- Punctures
- Cracks or alligatoring (when the sun dries out the roof and causes cracking that looks like alligator skin)
- Blisters (when water vapor gets trapped under the coating and it causes it to swell up
- Sitting water
- Metal corrosion
Additional roof features to inspect:
- Skylights
- Chimneys
- Vents
- Flashing (waterproof material that is applied to joints and edges)
- Fascia (the boards that hang under the edge of the roof)
- Soffit (Siding that protects rafters from the elements)
Why You Don’t Want to Wait
Although you may have been lucky enough to avoid winter storm damage so far, you will never regret being overprepared when a major storm rolls in. By scheduling your annual roof inspection as soon as possible, you’re giving yourself and your family the peace of mind that your roof is structurally sound when you experience harsh weather.
Schedule Your Annual Roof Inspection in Indianapolis
Indy Roof & Restoration has been serving the Indianapolis area since 2018. We are redefining the roofing experience for local homeowners, and we take great pride in our industry knowledge and dedication to the local community.
Our team of experts prioritizes communication with our customers because it’s your home, and you deserve to be informed every step of the way. For more information about annual roof inspections or to schedule your roof inspection in the Indianapolis area, please reach out to our team today.