Do you ever wonder if your roof is still in good condition? Although DIY has become the choice for some people in a lot of things, a DIY roof inspection is not recommended. However, if you wish to take that route, we have prepared a detailed guide on how you can safely conduct it. You certainly need to know what roofing issues look like. By pinpointing specific details that indicate the condition of the structure, you can gain a deeper understanding of the health of your roof.
Here are the things you need to know when conducting a DIY roof inspection:
Curling Shingles
You don’t need a ladder to spy your shingles. If you get enough distance and have a decent pair of binoculars, you can see if the edges are curling up.
If they are, it’s time to call your trusted roofing professionals.
Home insurance companies will not cover you if your roof shingles are curling because it’s a sign of old age or poor roof ventilation damaging your roof from the inside out.
Granule Loss
Brand-new asphalt shingles are as rough as coarse sandpaper. Any friction on the shingles will remove some granules.
The more abuse your roof receives from Florida’s harsh weather, the more granules are lost. As time goes on, some shingles can look and feel “bald” or smoother. Once your roof is receiving significant granule loss, it’s time to replace it.
Nails
Nails are an important component of every roof. But just how important they are is not fully understood by most homeowners.
The nails in a roof must be long and pierce through the entire roof structure to ensure a secure hold. Temperature fluctuations and corrosion from the elements can cause these nails to pop up or completely out, leaving behind holes that water can enter through.
All you need is a few loose nails to get a leak. When you see nails popping up out of your roof, they need to be set and sealed to protect the house from moisture.
Poor Tab Adhesion & Blow-Offs
If you stick your nose above the top of your house and can physically touch your asphalt shingles, gently try to lift a few up from the bottom. Do they peel away from the flashing?
If your shingles are flapping in the breeze, they can fly away during a storm. The glue that originally held them down has worn away. They call this poor tab adhesion, and it can lead to shingle blow-off and leaks.
Nail holes become exposed after a shingle comes loose, allowing water to leak through and into your home. This is why prevention is key. If you shrug off poor tab adhesion and blow-offs, it will lead to leaks that cause water damage and mold in your home.
Low Overhanging Trees
If the trees near your home touch your roof naturally or during high winds, it can spell trouble for your shingle’s health. All that friction can rub off granules and scrape away loose shingles.
Be sure to trim trees on your property and keep them a safe distance from your house. If any branches loom overhead, they can become highways for mice, rats, squirrels, and raccoons. Giving these animals easy access to your home can unintentionally welcome them as guests. It’s common for them to find or make holes to nest inside the attic space.
Debris
Even when you don’t have any nearby trees, hurricane winds can blow tree bits everywhere including on your roof. It might not seem like a harmful element, but tree debris can devastate your shingles.
When leaves, stems, sticks and branches sit on your house, they decompose and become acidic. That acid decomposes your roof.
When you see light debris on your roof, your garden hose might wash it off. But if there are large broken tree branches, you need to call in professionals to remove them safely and repair any damage that the impact may have caused.
Roof Vent Corrosion
Whenever a new roof is installed, all other components are replaced too. That means that we can use every part of your roof as a tool to determine its age and when it will require another new roof installation.
Check out your roof vents for rust. If they are old enough to be corroded, then your roof is too old and needs an expert roofer like Roofing Recovery to inspect it and give you an assessment.
Looking for Expert Roofers in Florida?
Now you know how to inspect your roof. However, it’s best to leave roofing tasks to the pros! Look no further than Roofing Recovery! We have been in this business for over 35 years and know roofs like the back of our hands.
If you notice serious problems when conducting your DIY roof inspection, you need a serious solution. Look for a reputable roofing contractor in your area. Roofing Recovery is one of the outstanding roofing contractors in South Florida with superb quality output, customer service, and extensive experience, serving Broward, Dade, Pompano Beach, and West Palm Beach, Florida. Call 954-799-4069 to request a quote today!
