The Do's and Don't of Self-Inspecting Your Roof

The roof of a home or a commercial building is crucial in maintaining the structure's integrity. It keeps the building occupants safe from outside elements and extremes in temperature and weather, and other hazards, so roofing quality control is essential. The roof faces a lot every day-- from the heat of the sun to strong winds and rain, including debris and dirt.

For this blog, we are going to emphasize the importance of roof inspections, especially in commercial buildings. A building's roof needs proactive assessments to keep its condition. Moreover, when a roof is regularly-inspected, it is easier to identify potential issues before they turn into major problems, saving significant money and avoiding massive headaches down the road. Although it is always advisable to hire professional roof inspectors, it won't hurt to do a self-inspection of your roof as long as you are careful, and you know essential safety roof inspection tips.

To give you ideas on how to inspect a roof, we listed some do's and don'ts of self-inspecting your roof. Knowing these tips will help you do a proper inspection that won't hurt your roof.

DO check the roof for any sign of small damage. It is vital to check the rubber seals around plumbing vent pipes and electric service, exhaust fan flashing, and even air vents. Sometimes, damage incurred by these areas is a result of roof damage. It is also critical to examine shingles, downpours, gutters, and dormer valleys on the exterior to see if they are damaged.

DON'T walk on the roof when unnecessary. It would be best to take note that roofers handled professional roof repairs or replacements using specialty equipment that help them safely navigate the roof. You don't know what happens if you don't replace your roof, especially if it's been there for a long time. Hence, there might be underlying structural damage that is not visible. Walking on the roof to look for wear and tear signs could result in further damage and even injury if you encounter hidden damages.

DO safely handle minor repairs and maintenance yourself. While it is advisable to leave minor repairs and maintenance to the professionals, no law prohibits you from handling them yourself. But, before you start doing any minor repairs and maintenance, you have to ensure that you know and practice safety roof inspection precautions. You can do the minor maintenance and care by yourself, including keeping tree limbs and branches trimmed, removing leaves, stems, dirt, and debris that may clog roof gutters. Also, keep in mind that small leaks should be in the hands of professional roofers. The best thing you can do is do a temporary cover-up and call a professional to fix the small leak.

DON'T ignore even the slightest of damages! Waiting to fix a problem can turn into something worse and something more expensive when you finally decide to have the problem fixed.

DO have regular roof inspections. In-depth inspections by professional roofing contractors are always better than attempting to run an assessment on your own. While you can find obvious signs of wear and damage during your DIY roof inspection, there may be areas that you miss. A roofing contractor's regular professional review is excellent for uncovering hidden damages and getting insights into the roof maintenance and repairs that will help keep your roof at its peak condition.

DON'T attempt to make roof repairs or replacements. As mentioned earlier, DIY repairs by non-professionals can result in further damage or injury. If you want to get the repairs or replacement done correctly, it would be best to contact a licensed professional roofing contractor with the training and experience.

DO inspect new roof. Maintaining a structure's integrity entails having a properly installed, quality roof. Roofs are often treated the same way as tires. We only notice and replace it when a problem arises. However, when we think of roofs as tires and ensure regular maintenance, their useful lives become longer. Similarly, conducting a new roof inspection can confirm that it receives proper care to increase its life span. Extending roof life starts with regular inspections from the moment of installation. Furthermore, professionals recommend that professionals inspect all kinds of roofs twice a year-- once after the coldest weather and the other one after the harsh summer.

DO find where the leak in your attic space is coming from, is possible. There will be times when you can't immediately get professionals' services, especially if it is the rainy season. What you do is place a bucket with cloth towels underneath the leak to absorb the water leak. In case of water running vertically down a pipe, you can stop the same by wrapping it up with a rag and then placing a bucket or pan underneath the line for catching additional leakage.

DON'T risk your safety when you're self-inspecting your roof. Inspection of your roof is a complicated process-- from climbing a ladder to standing on roof shingles. You should always have an awareness of all the risks. When roof repairs come into play, have a roofing professional to do the job. There may be additional roof damage that you can't find with your untrained eye.

DO call a roofing professional if you're unsure where the source of the problem is or if you have no idea about proper repairs.

DON'T skip researching everything you need to know about your roof. It includes roof maintenance checklists, safety precautions in roof inspections, and of course, researching your roofing professional. Moreover, always ask for proof of insurance, business license, and check with your roofing contractor's past customers.

DO install roof hatches for easy access. Ensuring your safety during a roof inspection means installing roof hatches would be best for your facility. With roof hatches, you won't need to climb up a ladder outside the building to get to your roof. You can easily access your roof through the inside of your building or home. Today, roof hatches are essential building equipment that you must not forget to install.

Conclusion Roof inspections are an essential undertaking if you want to detect roof defects. When caught early, it can significantly help you stave off major failures (and expenses!) in the future. With a trusted roofing partner, you can ensure that regular, professional inspections will prolong the roof's life. Although hiring a professional roofer is the best decision to make, it is still wise to self-inspect your roof in between formal inspections. As long as you know how to do safe and proper roof inspections, there's no stopping you from doing it. You can always sit down with the roofer every after an inspection and talk about the results.

Ensure easy and safe access to your roof and install a quality roof hatch. Partner with us today!