Understanding Common Issues Found During Roof Inspections
How often do you think about your roofing system? If you’re anything like most people, it’s probably not much. And that’s understandable. As a homeowner, you have endless things to clean, update, and repair, so your roof might not be at the start of your list of projects, especially if it’s relatively new.
However, regardless of your roof’s age, roofing inspections are crucial to extending its lifespan and preventing expensive problems. Still, you may wonder what’s actually looked for during the inspection process. Well wonder no more—here’s what you need to know.
The Importance of Annual Roof Inspections
Roofing inspections are vital to every roofing system. Whether you’re a business owner or homeowner, you need to know that your roof is in solid condition. Otherwise, you could be risking issues like water damage, mold, or even more extreme situations like sagging. It’s recommended that residential roofs are inspected at least once a year. For commercial roofs, twice-yearly inspections are best.
You’ll likely miss developing problems or severe damage without routine inspections. Plus, even if you try to inspect the roof on your own, it’s easy to miss things if you’re not a trained roofing professional.
Your Step-by-Step Guide to the Roof Inspection Process
Generally speaking, the roof inspection process goes something like this:
- Visual Inspection: More often than not, the process begins with a visual inspection of the roof’s entire perimeter from the ground.
- Check for Damage: After that, your contractor moves to the roof to look for wear and tear, inspecting the gutters, shingles, flashing, nails, caulking, and more.
- Look for Water Issues: Next, your technician thoroughly checks for water damage or areas prone to water damage. From there, they’ll review the insulation and check inside your attic.
- Finalized Report: Finally, your contractor will make a report of the findings and give them to you.
Roof inspections are essential for both homes and businesses. That’s why it’s recommended that you schedule an inspection from a professional roofing contractor once per year. However, this is just the average—certain situations warrant more frequent inspections.
Common Issues Typically Found During Roof Assessments
Roofing systems can get damaged over time. Even the most durable roofing material will wear down over the decades, and storm damage can speed up the process. Different roofing materials are also more prone to certain issues than others. Overall, these are the most common issues found during roofing inspections:
Cracked Tiles
If you have ceramic tiles or any other tile roofing system, cracks can happen. The tiles may crack or chip off as temperature changes, hail, debris, or other issues impact the roof.
While an occasional crack or chip isn’t a huge cause of concern, the majority of tiles shouldn’t have issues. It’s usually best to fix the broken tiles immediately to avoid more expensive repairs or even a roof replacement.
Storm Damage
While storm damage is a rather wide category, it’s one that our roofing experts look for. Arizona might not experience much snow, but severe rain and windstorms can lead to dents, cracks, missing shingles, and much more. During the inspection, we will check for all kinds of storm damage.
Water Damage
Water damage is a significant concern for any building owner. The older your roof is and the more it’s been exposed to storm damage, the more likely it is you’ll end up with water leaks, mold, or algae.
We will check your roofing system for water issues during our assessment. If we spot any, we suggest fixing them as soon as possible so you don’t wind up with ruined insulation or structural damage.
Flashing Issues
Flashing issues can arise with nearly any roofing system. Temperature changes from season to season may cause warping. Also, rust can become a problem, and flashing can bend or change as the building settles. Catching problems with flashing is vital, as they can impact the structural integrity and lifespan of the roof. Be sure to have flashing problems fixed immediately, or you could end up needing an entirely new roof.
General Wear and Tear
Even if you have a long-lasting roofing material like metal, wear and tear will happen. No matter how well-installed the roof is, materials of all quality are impacted by the weather. During roofing inspections, our experts often see dirt, debris, cracks, broken tiles, loose shingles, and other common issues caused by wear and tear.
Gutter Problems
Gutter and roofing systems work hand in hand to protect your building from water damage. Gutters often fill up with debris and ice, leading to blockages or damaged materials. Removing debris and repairing issues is vital so you don’t wind up with extensive water damage.
Prevent Roofing Problems With an Expert Inspection
Annual roofing inspections are vital to avoid damage and spot problems as early as possible. With Paramount KangaRoof by your side, you can rely on our roofing inspections for homes and businesses throughout Mesa and the surrounding areas. Get in touch with us to book a free inspection or check out our full suite of services to learn more.