By reeves Depending on the type and material of your roof, it should last between 15 to 50 years. Although it has a long lifespan, it is not recommended that it be left uninspected for more than 15 years. Your roof needs to be inspected by professionals, just like your doctor. This will ensure that any potential problems are caught early and prevent them from becoming costly. Roof inspectors can help you identify potential problems before they lead to costly and expensive premature roofing replacement.
Protect the value of your home
Regular inspections of your roof will ensure that there are no leaks or cracks in the roof, broken shingles, warping, and so on. This can compromise the integrity of your roofing structure. You can protect your home’s interior against water damage by inspecting your roof.
When is it time to inspect your roof
To prepare for winter, homeowners should inspect their roofs at least once per year. If possible, they should also be inspected in spring to ensure that the area is ready for the summer rains. To maintain your roof’s integrity, the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that you have an roof inspection in calgary done twice a year. However, extreme weather conditions such as severe hail and high winds can cause damage to your roofing system. You should inspect your roof immediately after it has cleared.
Your roof may be damaged by frequent snowstorms in Calgary or Edmonton during winter. You may not be able inspect your roof immediately, but you should plan to do so when it is safe.
Checklist for residential roof inspection
- Shingles that are damaged: When roofers inspect your roof, they pay particular attention to the shingles. You should too. Cracked, curled, or damaged shingles could indicate that your roof has suffered a lot from wear and tear. If you notice that shingles are falling off, it is likely your roof has reached an advanced stage and will not be able to withstand more severe weather.
- Excessive granulation: If your asphalt roofing shingles are damaged or worn out, you may notice loose granules at your gutters and end of your downspouts. Granules that are the same colour as your shingles will look similar to pebbles.
- Moss Growth Alberta roofing contractors know that a roof can be in trouble if there is a lot of moss. If your roof has a lot of moss, it is likely that it is in a humid environment. Your roofing system can be damaged by moss, which allows water to seep into deeper layers.
- Standing water: If your roof is flat or has a low pitch roof, you should be looking for standing water. If you see standing water, it could be a sign that your roof isn’t draining properly . A roof leak could be imminent.
- External Protrusions Damage: You should inspect all exterior protrusions of your roof for any damage, rust or rot.
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- Vents Check the vents for damage or missing parts. It is especially important to check if your rubber boots around the vent pipes have cracked or become worn from age. Vents can also be damaged by hail, which can cause dents and dings on the surface.
- Chimney Check the masonry, caps, and crowns. Check for cracks, missing, or damaged bracks when inspecting the masonry. It is common to worry about missing mortar, which allows for water infiltration. If damaged, the crown, which is the cement or concrete layer at the top of larger chimneys can leak, allowing moisture to seep into the chimney. The chimney cap protects the chimney against rain and debris. Water damage and blockages can be caused by a missing or damaged chimney cover.
- Flashing:Flashing can be placed around chimneys or vents on roofs to seal them. The flashing is installed between the roofing material, roof deck and allows water to flow down the roof instead of into the protrusion. Flashing can become brittle and rusty over time, which can hinder its ability to seal protrusions properly. It can easily become damaged or lose its shape if it is not properly installed. Professional roof repair is required for missing or damaged flashing.
- Seals Every area of your roof that relies on roofing sealant or seals to protect water and weatherproofing must be inspected for signs of deterioration, such as cracks or peeling, openings or condensation (as with skylights). Common areas that require roofing sealant are skylights, exposed fasteners, transitions/corners, b-vent flashing, chimneys and furnaces, and roof flashing.