Tough weather conditions can take their toll on any roofing material, and before you know it, they might have already torn off most of your roof. It can be hard to detect whether your roof has suffered a good beating from nature. However, regular roof inspections can reveal unnoticed problems and possibly save you a lot of money in the long run.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends you do a roof inspection at least two times a year — spring and fall. The best place to begin is inside your house — grab a flashlight and make a trip to the attic.
Here are four things to look for on the inside:
1) Places where the roof deck is sagging
2) Signs of water damage or leaking
3) Dark spots and trails
4) Outside light showing through the roof.
When you take a look at the exterior of the roof, pay attention to such things as damaged flashing, missing shingles, curling, blistering, buckling, rotting and algae growth (which occurs most often in humid climates and appears as dark or greenish stains).
Here are other damage signs and solutions you should take note of:
When age matters
Shingle roofs have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. You will know that your roof has exceeded its service life once you see a considerable amount of granules in your gutters. Asphalt shingles become brittle over time so they start to curl up and lose more granules as they become more worn down.
Spot the flashings
Flashings are pieces that cover roof interruptions or joints. Reputable Maryland and Washington, DC roofing experts would suggest that cement or tar flashings be replaced with metal ones. Metal flashings can do a better job of waterproofing the joints, and they are also long-lasting.
A closer look at the valleys
Most roof leaks stem from faulty valleys. To ensure that no rainfall gets into your house, see to it that the shingles in the valleys are still complete and intact. If most of the pieces are missing, then a new roof is needed.
Selecting a qualified DC or Montgomery County roofing contractor is equally important as choosing the right materials. Be mindful of contractors who offer deals that seem too good to be true. Choose established names in the industry like Roof Masters.
(Article Excerpt and Image from Do you need a new roof? 10 ways to tell, SheKnows.com)
