The roof is one of the most important components of your home. If it fails, the interior may be subject to pest, water, or other types of damage that might cost tens of thousands of dollars to repair. Furthermore, damage to a roof may reduce your home’s value, as buyers generally don’t pay full price for homes with significant issues. However, you may be able to keep your roof in good shape by having it inspected on a regular basis.
Have Your Roof Inspected at Least Once a Year
You are encouraged to contact the roofing professionals at Charleston Roofs + Windows in Charleston, SC at least once every 12 months for a routine roof inspection. During a roof inspection, a member of our team will check for signs of damage, such as missing shingles, granules in the gutter or downspout, or mold in the attic or on interior walls.
We will also check flashing and other related components for any signs of trouble. If we discover any issues, we offer roof repair and replacement services to ensure that they can be fixed in a timely, professional, and affordable manner.
The spring and fall months are generally the best times of the year to have your roof looked at. This is because the warmer and drier weather conditions make it easier to spot issues with your roof and fix them before more intense weather sets in.
Check the Roof After a Major Storm
High winds, torrential rain, and hail may all wreak havoc on shingles and other roof components. Therefore, it may be a good idea to have a professional take a look at it after a severe thunderstorm, tornado, or hurricane moves through. This might be especially true if you have an older roof, as it may be vulnerable to storm damage even if it was seemingly in good condition before the event.
Regardless of your roof’s age, you may not notice signs of mold or other damage just by looking at it. As a result, small issues may develop into serious problems if you choose to skip an inspection. If you plan on submitting an insurance claim following a storm, your insurance provider will likely require an inspection before any work is done. This will help verify that the damage was caused by issues covered by your policy. It will also help verify that the damage wasn’t caused by old age or other types of homeowner negligence.
Are You Trying to Sell Your Home?
Having the roof inspected prior to putting your home on the market may be a good idea for a variety of reasons. First, it lets you make any vital repairs before they complicate potential deals with interested buyers. If the roof is in pristine shape, it can be used as a selling point that may help you get the house sold in a timely manner. As the buyer will likely scrutinize the roof as part of their own home inspection process, it’s generally in your best interest to be proactive regarding this important item.
Have You Noticed Any Exterior Problems?
An inspection may be in order at any time if you notice missing shingles, granules in the downspout, or other telltale signs of potential roof issues. You may also want to consider having an inspection performed if you notice the roof is sagging, as it could indicate serious water damage or damage to the home’s foundation.
In either scenario, a failure to diagnose and remediate the problem promptly may make the home unsafe to live in. Allowing the problem to linger may result in a roof collapse or other catastrophic events that could cause harm to you, your family, or your pets.
It may also be a good idea to call for help if you notice algae or moss growing on shingles. Although it’s unlikely to cause any harm to the roof on its own, their presence may indicate that sections of your roof aren’t drying properly, which could create conditions for mold or mildew to thrive.
Interior Signs of Potential Roof Damage
If your home smells like mildew, it may be because water is leaking into the attic. It can continue to spread throughout the home, all the way to the basement. Therefore, you’ll want to have your roof inspected to determine if a leak is causing the issue. Stains on the ceilings, streaks on the wall, or water in the attic or basement can also be signs of a moisture problem caused by defective shingles or issues with the gutter or downspouts. Other signs of roof damage include water dripping from the ceiling or a ceiling that is starting to sag.
You Want to Put a New Roof on Your Home
In most cases, a contractor will want to look at your current roof to determine the extent of any work that needs to be done. For example, if the underdeck is rotting, it will likely need to be replaced along with existing shingles. If there is more than a single layer of shingles on the roof already, it will need to have a complete tear-off as opposed to simply putting an additional layer on top of what’s already there.
The Importance of Inspecting Gutters and Downspouts
A clogged gutter will likely prevent water from flowing away from your home because it won’t have a clear path to the downspout. Instead, it will likely seep into the shingles or flow into the attic. A similar situation may occur if a gutter is cracked, has a hole in it, or is pulling away from the roof line. In such a scenario, moisture will spill over the roof and pool near the side of your house.
Water might also pool by the side of your house instead of flowing into a sewer or drainage ditch if a downspout is broken or not attached to the house correctly. As with a gutter, a downspout can also be clogged by granules, weeds, or foreign objects that get stuck. Keeping the gutters clean and clear will help maintain a functioning downspout.
Regular Inspections Can Keep a Warranty Intact
When a new roof is installed on your home, you generally receive a warranty that is good for anywhere from 10 to 30 years. However, if you fail to properly maintain it, there is a chance that any resulting damage won’t be covered by that warranty. Having an inspection done every 12 months can make it easier to prove that you engaged in regular maintenance and that any problems discovered during a routine check weren’t caused by homeowner negligence.
In addition to roofing service, we can help with your next window repair project or work with you to ensure that storm damage is taken care of in a timely and affordable manner. If you are ready to have your roof inspected or need any other roofing service, don’t hesitate to contact the folks at Charleston Roofs + Windows today!