Surely you have heard neighbors or friends talk about their homes, the condition of their roofs, and dealing with contractors. It’s always a popular topic during summer barbeques or winter gatherings. What is all this talk about roof inspections, anyway?
Roof Over Your Head
Your Twin Cities home has a lot of moving parts, like an HVAC system and appliances. Your roof is not one of those moving parts. It is a complex system of static parts. Yet it serves to shelter nearly everything else you own: all those appliances, the central air conditioner.
You have to preserve and protect your roof for everything under it to stay safe. A roof inspection ensures your roof is performing at its best. A roof inspection brings you peace of mind. You know the roof over your head is weather-tight, sturdy, and in good working condition.
Not You
Who is to handle your Twin Cities home’s roof inspection? Not you. A roof is dangerous. Residential roofs are classified as steep-slope roofs, meaning their angle is so high they are hard to walk on. Stay off your roof! You can check your roof’s condition from the ground, but that is not a roof inspection.
A roof inspection involves contacting your nearby roofer, scheduling a site visit, and allowing your roofer to examine your roof inside and out, with proper safety equipment and tools. The professional roofer knows what to look for:
- From inside your attic, the roofer will check the condition of the rafters, insulation, and sheathing.
- The roofer will check for light coming through the roof where it should not be; this indicates holes will allow water to infiltrate your attic space.
- The roofer checks for ridge vents and soffit vents, to ensure proper circulation of outside air; this natural convection prevents moisture and mold.
- Outside, your experienced roofer will check flashing, drip edge, rubber boots around sanitary stacks and other roof projections, and the step flashing around chimneys.
- On the roof, your roofer will inspect shingles, tile, or metal panel roofing for signs of wear or impact (from tree branches or hail).
- The residential roofer will list areas of concern, breaking them down into those requiring immediate attention to put a stop to roof leaks, those needing close monitoring to prevent failure, and those that can wait until the next annual inspection.
- Your roofer will present you with information about your roof and make suggestions for roof repairs.
Do It Now
From the roof inspection, you will learn what areas of your Twin Cities home’s roof need fast repair. Your roofer is not giving you the details to simply generate a sale; small repairs performed promptly can delay full roof replacement and preserve your home’s value.
Doing repairs immediately after a roof inspection leverages the inspection for maximum impact. Finding out, for example, you have loose step flashing around a chimney can prevent water leaks, mold, mildew, or degradation of the chimney mortar and bricks. This information can only prevent those problems, though, if you have repairs done immediately.
Delaying necessary roof repairs does not help you, your roof, or your roofer. Consider the alternative: a quick, one-person job of spot repairs (perhaps a few hours’ work) suddenly becomes a full-blown roofing emergency later on.
Delay costs far more than the price of one roof repair visit. You could end up with ruined walls and ceilings, damaged furnishings, or compromised health for family members.
Sounds Good
The peace of mind you get from a roof inspection, followed by prompt repairs, is valuable. But what is truly important is preserving your home’s curb appeal and value by having a sound, weather-tight roof.
After the spot repairs, your roof will stand in good service throughout the year. Winter storms, summer rains, autumn’s windy gusts; nothing will work against your roof, thanks to your roofer’s thorough inspection and careful repairs.
A sound roof makes a sound home. Your furnishings, valuables, and family members all stay cozy and safe beneath the sturdy, repaired roof. Your bank balance stays safe, too, as you are able to put off full roof replacement and its high cost, simply by paying a small amount for roof inspection and repairs.
When?
How often should you have your roof inspected? If you have never had a roof inspection, call or contact your roofer as soon as you can. Arrange a visit and inspection, ideally to happen before winter weather. Many Twin Cities homeowners wisely opt for two inspections a year:
- Early spring, to assess and address winter damage.
- Late fall, to prepare your roof for harsh winter storms.
Please connect with us today at Midwest Roofing, Siding & Windows Inc. From roof inspections to complete roof replacement, we are your local, trusted specialist in all aspects of exterior home service.