If you know that it has been fifteen or more years since the last time you had your roof fixed by a roofing expert, then it’s about time to get one out to your home or business and have them have a look.
A handy place to start, before ever climbing a ladder ( which, incidentally, make sure to always use cares when climbing a ladder and have a 2nd person spot you if at all possible ), you can give your roof an once over from the ground. Use a couple of binoculars to search for any apparent trouble areas- missing shingles, dark spots, and misshaped lines in the roofing material. Also, while on the ground, check downspouts for shingle granules that will have washed off.
Once you have decided to go up to have another look at your roof, the first thing to go looking for is missing or loose shingles. Be terribly careful as you do your inspection! Shingles can be damaged easily, so you’ve got to avoid stepping on them whenever it’s possible. Being loose isn’t the only sign of a bad shingle. You need to also look for loss of granulation ( which may show the fiberglass mat underneath to UV light ), mold and decay, and curling.
If you’ve had work done to your roof in the past, there is a chance that the roofer used tar or a patch to fix any tiny issues. You may see this during your close inspection. The patch could be a conspicuous hardened blob, or it could be covered with shingles of a little different color than the remainder of your roof. The roofing cement employed in these patches may only last for some years, so you might also want to test these areas from below-in your attic.
Another thing to give a closer look to is any flashing. Flashings are metal pieces used to waterproof spots of the roof where there could be an interruption in the roofing such as a skylight, a chimney or smoke stack, vents, or any sticking out piping. Things to have a look for here are tears, buckling or puckering in the material, and looseness. Flashings on chimneys are susceptible to damage more-so than other places. The reason is the chimney will settle and shift separately from the house. While looking at the flashings, be certain to also inspect your chimney for any leaning, damaged bricks, and cracked joints.
Some more general things to look for are any symptoms of sag or unevenness to the roof. Cupping and buckling could be indicators of feeble framing and should be give extra attention. Also test your gutters for rust, and clogs.
If you find any of these issues while checking your roof, it’s best to have a Dallas Roofing repairman come out to fix it, rather than attempt to do it yourself.
