Autumn is the perfect time to make sure your roof is ready for winter. Winter repairs are more costly for you and more dangerous for the roofers. You also risk greater damage to the rest of your home if a serious problem occurs during the winter that could have been resolved now.
We recommend homeowners do basic yearly surveillance of their roof and siding to check for any possible issues.
What you can do
Check your roof for any signs of waviness or wear and tear of shingles, flashing, chimneys, and vents. Binoculars can help you get a closer look at anything that seems suspicious. While looking at the roof, check the siding for any gaps or places it may be separating from the house, especially along the roofline or around windows. These are areas where moisture can seep in, doing damage to your wood framing, insulation, or drywall, and becoming a haven for growing mold.
If your attic is unfinished, go into the attic on a sunny day and look for any light shining through the roof’s underlayment. Then use a flashlight to closely examine the roof’s underside, wood beams, and insulation to determine if there are any signs of moisture leaks. If your attic is finished, this might not be possible, so check for signs of leaks along the ceilings or walls in the attic. Keep in mind that if you are seeing any leaks in other parts of the house, it might actually be caused by a roof issue that found a path downstairs.
Check your gutters and drain pipes to make sure they are not clogged, bent, or rusted. Puddles or ice that form on your roof can cause significant damage to your roof or walls, while gutters that overflow could create icy conditions on the ground below.
What a professional can do
We do not recommend that homeowners get on their roofs to examine them. Our roofing experts are specially trained and insured for walking on roofs, and we know what to look for when doing a roofing appraisal. Some of the things our roofing appraiser looks for:
- Damaged or worn shingles, roofing materials, or underlayment
- Debris, moss, or lichen – particularly common when there are nearby trees or shade
- Signs of standing water (stains, deterioration, rusting)
- Condition of flashing (trim around vents, chimney, etc.)
- Gutter and downspout issues
- Damage to underlayment – a professional eye-checking of the attic
- Signs of leaks in or around the attic and windows
A regular inspection can help you catch small problems before they become major problems. This saves you money, protects your biggest investment, and may protect the safety of your family, as well.
Contact us at M&K Renovations. Our experts will inspect your roof, gutters, windows, and more. After our free inspection, we will give you our honest assessment, with suggestions of what you can do yourself if possible and what we can do for you to keep your house warm, safe, and secure. Call us today at (610) 353-2895.