With winter approaching, it is crucial for homeowners to prepare for harsh weather conditions. Your roof is the most important line of defense against heavy storms and will need to be properly prepared before the snow sweeps in. A thorough inspection will save you not only money, but a lot of headache and stress. When it comes to inspecting and prepping your roof there are seven checkpoints you will need to hit.
1) Check Your Roofline
A healthy roof line should be straight and true, so any signs of dipping, curving or sagging may need further investigation as to reasons why this is occurring. Dipping or sagging is typically caused by framing issues or a saturated roof deck.
2) Check Chimney and Skylight Flashing For Leaks
Your chimney and flashing are areas that can be damaged or pulled away due to wind. These areas are prone to leaking and need to be immediately repaired. If these issues are occurring, you should reach out to a professional ASAP to conduct an inspection. A great way to check your chimney and skylight flashing is to wet the area where your chimney and roof meet with your hose. After running the water for a few minutes, check the inside of the chimney for signs of moisture.
3) Check The Attic For Signs Of Water Damage
Getting inside the attic and looking for signs of water damage is a great way to tell if there have been any ongoing leaks. Damp insulation, discoloration, bulging walls or ceilings, a musty smell, and mold or mildew growth may all indicate that you have a problem.
4) Remediate Wind Damage
Missing shingles, lifting shingles with creases, lifted shingles with nail pops, zipper lines and shingle tearing are all signs of wind damage. Having granules scattered on the roof, in your gutters or on the ground is also a clear indication of wind damage.
5) Remove Debris
Making sure your roof, gutters, downspouts and flashing are clear of debris will ensure snow does not accumulate in these areas causing potential leaking. If your gutters are not clear, snow and ice will accumulate and lead to ice damming. Ice will also form and stay in gutters causing more weight that the gutters are not designed to hold and can cause them to sag or tear away.
6) Trim Low Hanging Branches
Keeping tree branches away from your roof will help prevent shingle damage. The weight of snow can bring limbs down to your roof and create scraping that could damage shingles causing leaks.
7) Get Your Roof Professionally Inspected
Letting an expert check your roof is always recommended. This can give you peace of mind and save you from having expensive repair bills later on. Call Kapella Roofing today to receive a free inspection from a professional.