Scheduling annual roof inspections is the best way to track your roof’s lifespan and identify minor problems early on. With these assessments, you can avoid water damage in the interior of your Lafayette, IN, home and plan in advance for essential replacements. The following is everything that you can expect during your next roof inspection.
Intitial Assessemnt
Professional roofers often perform quick visual assessments upon arrival. They look for dark patches, raised and curled shingles, missing shingles, detached gutters and downspouts, and other visible damage. If your roof has dark, discolored areas and an all-around patchy and pitted surface, your asphalt shingles may be losing their granules. Larger dark spots are often indicative of problems with moss or mold, and widespread shingle deterioration is a common sign of advanced roof aging.
These visual assessments provide helpful information about roof integrity and allow roofers to gauge the safety and feasibility of mounting them. After setting up ladders and all necessary fall protection equipment, professionals search for soft, springy areas and problems like nail pops, bent or loose flashing, and separation at roof valleys.
If your roof is severely damaged, your roofer will know when even light pressure is applied. Rafters, roof decking, and other wooden materials tend to take on a soft and spongy feel after they’ve been invaded and degraded by moisture. If your roof has soft spots or is sagging, it might be time for a total roof tear-down and replacement.
Common Problems That Roofers Look For and What They Mean
Residential roofs have multiple layers. Each element within these systems works with and protects the others. Seasoned roofers know that even a single popped nail can spell disaster for what lies beneath it.
Nail Pops
Nail pops or raised nails that are no longer flush with the roof’s surface may be the result of foundation settlement, deteriorating sheathing, underlying moisture problems, or poor installation. Raised and missing nails create tiny points of ingress for moisture and push up against the shingle. While these openings might not cause a leak in the building’s interior, they leave other roofing elements vulnerable and exposed. During your roof inspection, we’ll check for nail pops, determine their cause, and suggest the best strategies for resolving them.
Shingle Damage and Shingle Granule Loss
As your roof’s outermost layer, shingles sustain the greatest wear. We check for loose, missing, curled, and cracked shingles, loss of flexibility, and evidence of poor installation. We also look for shingle granules in gutters and at the base of downspouts. These dark, pebble-like materials protect your roof from UV damage and shield shingles from harsh weather like hail storms.
Flashing Problems
Flashing provides an added layer of protection for inherently vulnerable roofing areas. Your roof has flashing around all exhaust vents and chimneys. If you have one or more skylights, there’s flashing around these elements, too. You’ll also find flashing in areas where two sections of roofing converge.
Flashing is a thin but sturdy sheet of metal that leverages a roof’s slope to direct water away from openings and valleys. We verify that leak-prone areas are well-protected by looking for damaged or loose flashing, advanced corrosion, and degraded sealing materials.
Separation at the Roof’s Valleys
Roof valleys are where two sections of roofing meet. Despite the added protection of metal flashing, roof valleys are known to pull apart over time. This is a common sign of advanced, age-related wear and often means that roofs are ready for replacement. However, like nail pops, separation at roof valleys can also be caused by foundation settlement and underlying moisture issues.
Gutters, Downspouts, and Landscape Drains
Professional roofers also check the integrity of gutters, downspouts, and their connecting landscape drains. They make sure that runoff isn’t pooling on the topmost portion of homes or collecting around their foundations. In addition, a professional looks for loose, sagging gutters and downspouts that have become blocked or are in danger of detaching from the building.
Attic Insulation and Roof Venting Systems
Attic insulation and venting systems are also considered during these assessments. Roofers check for sufficient insulation and good venting. In attics, they check for standing water, high humidity, musty odors, and visible mold.
Contact the Professionals
At Hammer Down Exteriors, we help homeowners in Lafayette make informed decisions about their roofing. We offer first-rate roof inspection, replacement, and repair services. We also provide storm damage restorations and install gutters, siding, and windows. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced roofers.
