To ensure that your roof is in good condition, you need to time your inspections to catch all of the issues. This means that the number of inspections you have could vary based on the number of storms, repairs, and upgrades you have throughout the year. When a professional from our team at Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations performs a roof inspection, we will examine every part of the roof. This includes looking for signs of water damage, holes, rot, pests, and mold.
In this guide, we will take a look at what time of year you should schedule roof inspections. We will also discuss other times when an impromptu roof inspection is a good idea.
Schedule Roof Inspections Twice a Year
It is important to have your roof inspected at least once a year, but at Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations, we suggest doing it twice a year to make sure your roof is in ideal shape. First, the most important time to have your roof inspected is in the fall. This ensures that the roof is in good condition before the first snowfall. Cold weather and even a little bit of snow can take a toll on the roofing material.
The second time of the year that you should have an inspection done on your roof is in the spring. This ensures that there are no splits in the shingles or holes in your roof that will cause water leaks during the rainy season. If you have not had a roof inspection for a while, contact us at Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations to schedule one.
After Severe Weather
Severe weather can take a toll on your roof, especially if the storms involve high winds. Wind can get under the shingles and tear them off the roof. Wind can also remove gutters, flashing, vent covers, and other small connectors found on your roof. In fact, high winds can carry a tree branch with ease, and with the right angle, it can puncture the roof and cause a leak.
Rain, snow, and hail can also damage the shingles, so make sure that after any storm, you schedule an inspection. Hail can hit the roof at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour in a storm. Ice balls with this amount of speed behind them can leave indents and circular marks behind on the roof. Sometimes, storm damage is hard to see from the ground, so it is important to get a professional in after an intense storm to check the entire roof and look for signs of damage.
After Roof Repairs and Other Home Improvements
Any time that you have work done on your roof, it is imperative that you get an inspection done as well to make sure that all completed repairs are sound and were properly addressed. This provides you with peace of mind when the rainy season hits to ensure that your roof will be effective.
Other projects that require a roof inspection after completion include chimney repairs and the installation of solar panels. Both of these projects incorporate the roof of your home, but neither one is directly dealing with the roofing material. That said, accidents can cause damage during the installation process that could result in leaks. If you have a roof inspection scheduled for after the home improvement projects are complete, a member of our team can ensure that there will not be issues for the next six months or longer.
When You Suspect Damage
If you think that your roof has any damage, then having an extra inspection done will not hurt anything. It will ensure that the condition of the roof is optimal for the rainy season, and it will give you added peace of mind for the next few months. One of the signs that your roof could have damage is that you can see shingles missing from the ground. Cracks and visible splits in the shingles are also telltale signs that the shingles are hitting the end of their life span.
You could also see shingle granules in the gutters and downspouts. With regular wear and tear, the granules break off and remove the protective coating that shingles have. This coating will help protect the roof from extensive UV (ultraviolet) light and water damage. When the protection wears off, the roof becomes more vulnerable.
When You Find Algae Growth
When algae grow on the roof, there is often moisture caught between the shingles under the algae. This is difficult to see, so if you spot algae or moss growing on the roof of your home, contact a professional roofer to remove the growth and inspect the roof to ensure that mildew or mold is not present in the shingles. Mold can also form on the underside of the roof, so be sure to check the attic as well for signs of growth.
Blocked Gutters
Gutters are part of the roof, and they ensure that the water from storms diverts to the right area to prevent damage. When there is something blocking the gutter, like leaves or other debris, the rainwater will not flow as it should and could cause backups on the roof. This water can pool in a bad location, and leaks can result.
Visible Water Stains or Leaks
If you see water stains or leaks in your home, then it is pretty obvious that the shingles on the roof are not protecting your home properly. Leaks can easily form with just simple wear and tear of a roof. You might see brown spots on the ceiling to indicate that water is pooling in the ceiling. Paint peeling near the ceiling is another sign that there could be a leak in the roof. However, it is important to have a professional look into these issues to ensure that they don’t become bigger problems and invite mold growth into your home.
If your roof is more than a decade old, it may be time to consider a new roof installation to upgrade your home. This will protect your home for many more years, and the new roofing material will also potentially increase the value of your property. This can be beneficial if you are planning on selling the property any time soon.
Contact Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations to Schedule an Inspection
Roofing inspections are a key aspect of finding out if your roofing material is still as dependable as it was at the time of installation. Whether there is definite damage to your roof and you want to see the extent of it or you only suspect that there is roof damage, getting an inspection done ensures there are no surprises during the rainy season.
At Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations, we have over 25 years of experience doing storm assessments and roof inspections in Charlotte. We will quickly do repairs on your roof to take care of small issues that we find. If the damage is more severe, we will schedule a roof replacement at your earliest convenience. Blue Fox Roofing & Renovations is one of the best roofing companies in Charlotte. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take care of all of your roofing needs!
