Knowing how to perform a roof inspection could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars by identifying areas of concern before serious damage develops. Performing your own roof inspection also helps you when considering a home to purchase, prepare your own home for sale or may help you in dealing with your insurance company after a storm damages your home. These steps will help you prepare an inspection checklist and learn what you need to know about roof inspection.

1. Walk the Perimeter

Before you even consider climbing up onto the roof, take a walk around the perimeter of your home on a sunny day and look at the roofing structure from the ground up to the roof’s peak. Look for signs of damage such as warped or discolored wood, sagging boards, growth of moss, mold or mildew. Pay extra attention to hard to see areas that may be obscured by climbing vines, trees and other vegetation. Repeat this step on a rainy day and note whether the rain is flowing into the gutters and downspouts or if there are drips, waterfalls or other problems with water drainage away from the roof.

2. Inspect the Roofing Materials

Safely climb onto your home’s rooftop when the roof is dry. Use an extension ladder to access the roof. If the home has a steeply sloped roof, you may be better off hiring a professional to do the roof inspection as they have the necessary equipment and experience to safely climb on steep slopes. Have someone available on the ground as a spotter. Inspect the roof for missing, cracked, broken, jagged or curled shingles. Look closely at the shingles to see whether the asphalt grit is still attached or whether it has been washed away.

If the roof is composed of slate or clay tiles, inspect for cracked or missing tiles. Look for rot, insect infestation or moss growth on wooden shingles. Determine whether there is one layer of shingles on the roof or two layers. Two layers of shingles means that the home has been re-roofed and that the roof may have had repairs for problems in the past.

3. Inspect the Roofing Support System

The roofing support system includes the gutters, downspouts, flashing, roof vents and fascia. Look for signs of damage including rot, insects, water stains, warped wood and bubbling paint.

4. Inspect from Inside

If possible, access the attic and inspect the interior portion of the roofing system in any areas where you found indications of damage to the roof. Look for signs of water penetration or insect activity.

5. Arrange for Professional Roof Repair

Once you have found signs of damage to the shingles, tiles or any other part of the roofing system, contact a professional roofing company for roof inspection and repair services. Making necessary repairs will help you sell your home faster in a difficult real estate market and will bring your home up to code. Before purchasing a home, make sure the roof is in excellent condition before investing your time and money in the purchase of a home that has a potentially costly problem with the roofing structure.

Alpine Roofing Construction is a roofing company in Dallas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. They offer metal, residential, and commercial roofing services throughout their large service area.