Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Home Improvement

How to Conduct a Roof Inspection

Winter is fast approaching and before you know it, falling leaves turn to falling snow. If you want to enjoy the winter wonderland worry-free, there are some things you’ll need to take care of now. One of the most important things to keep on top of (pun slightly intended) is your roof; making sure it’s ready for winter. Here’s how to conduct a roof inspection before winter so that you’re not caught off guard.

First of all, you should be inspecting or having your roof inspected twice a year: once before winter to get it in shape for snowy weather and after winter to check if there’s been any damage. As you can tell, the colder months can wreak a lot of havoc on homes, so you’ll want to get that second inspection done promptly once the weather turns and before the spring rains start pounding. Rain might not cause the same problems as snow in regards to caving roofs (well, usually not) but it’s still unpleasant to have to deal with leaks, so nip that in the bud with a second post-winter inspection.

When you’re doing an inspection, you want to look for drainage issues. If there are blockages in the gutters, you need to get them cleaned out or fixed. Gutters and downspouts need to be clear to run excess water off the roof, so it doesn’t accumulate. Standing water is a problem in any season but in a season with freezing temperatures and snow, it can be disastrous. Just ask anyone who’s had to get a home insurance quote after a leaky roof gave out! Water wants to keep moving so help it by keeping the gutters clear and in good shape, meaning tight seams and no leaks.

You should schedule or do an inspection prior to winter anyway but if you can see signs of a roof leak on the interior of the house then you need to get up there pronto. Take a walk through your home and look for cracks, leaks, stains, any indication of outside forces getting inside. If you see any of these, make note of it and start the inspection there before moving on to the rest of the roof. You want to make sure you’ve got a handle on all the problems, obvious or not, so once you’ve taken care of those spots look for damage that may have been caused due to a leak by checking the insulation or building materials in that area.

If you live in a place that has harsh winters, then your house is probably well-insulated. Part of a roof inspection is also checking on the insulation of the house. The roof membrane expands and contracts with the changes in temperature, which can cause splits which can lead to leaks which can lead to a whole host of other problems. Check your roof membrane and the insulation under it for loose or shifting portions where weather damage has occurred.

Like most things, the integrity of your roof relies on your preventative action. You don’t want to wait until there are problems before you do something about a shrinking shingle or a leak. Keeping your roof solid not only saves you anxiety and hassle but can also keep your home insurance quotes low by avoiding a major disaster. Before the winter sneaks up on you, get a jump on your home inspection. This way when the snowy weather comes blowing in, you can sit back and enjoy it without having to worry.

Written By

Thanks for reading this article. If you're new here, why don't you subscribe for regular updates via RSS feed or via email. You can also subscribe by following @techsling on Twitter or becoming our fan on Facebook. Thanks for visiting!

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Jacob

    June 9, 2020 at 3:55 pm

    A regular program of both roof inspections and maintenance will help detect minor problems.The purpose of the program is to maximize the life expectancy of the roofing system.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You May Also Like