Inspecting Your Roof for Damage
With all the wild weather we've had in the last few months, it is imperative we, as homeowners, recognize the signs of roof damage. If damage has been caused to the roof of your home, this will eventually lead to major problems in the future. Here are a few tips to get you started, and know when to call your insurance agent.
- Look for the no-so-obvious! An obvious sign would be a puddle in the middle of your floor, but by then untold damage to your roof and structure has already occurred! Check your ceilings for wet spots (where no plumbing exists), ceiling mounted cabinets for misalignments or shifts, cracks or anything else that looks out of the ordinary.
- Check for bowing in walls. If they are bowing in or out, its time to call your friendly contractor in to assess the damage your home may have incurred! Bowing walls is not a good sign, so the sooner you get that checked out, the better!
- Climb into your attic, or above crawl space! No one likes to go up there, but things such as the rafters, ceiling joists, and vents need to be checked for moisture. Run your hand over the wood to check for dampness and discoloration. If you notice water damage or rot, notify a roofing professional to fix your problem.
- Now its time to go outside and start looking at your roof. From the ground, look at your shingles, and see if there are any missing, torn, lifted up, or bulging. Look for even lines and no waves within the roof itself. Again, if you spot any of these problems, this could signal trouble in your roof!
- Grab your tallest ladder and look in your gutters. Why you ask? Asphalt shingles will shed their grain if they have been inundated with large hail. Those grains will end up in your gutters, indicating damage to your roof. Also check flashing around the vent covers to make sure there is not holes that need to be sealed up in the flashing (many can be sealed up with roof caulking). While you're up there, check the peak of your roof to ensure that it is in tip-top shape and there isn't anything out of the ordinary.
