How much time do you spend thinking about your roof? If you are like most homeowners, it is not something that comes to mind unless it is time to clean the gutters or something has gone wrong with it. However, if you want to keep your roof in shape and avoid any nasty and potentially expensive roof repair surprises, you need to engage in some regular inspections. It’s not difficult, and you can do a basic inspection on your own to look for some large damage. It is a good idea to do this type of inspection twice a year – in the spring and the fall.

The Inside of the Home

Let’s start on the inside of the home. Go to the highest point in the house and look up. You want to look for places where it appears as though the ceiling is sagging, as this can be a sign of damage. If you have an attic, you will look for areas where the roof is sinking. Also, make sure you look for water damage, which can be a very costly repair. Look for any dark spots on the ceiling and take note if any outside light is shining through the roof and into the house at night.

The Outside of the Home

After the interior inspection, you will head outside of the house. You want to look for things such as damaged or missing shingles, blistering of the roof, rotting, damage to the flashing, algae growth, and loose material. Also look for cracks and ways that water could seep down into the roof. Look for signs of mold on the roof, and make sure that the gutters and downspouts are all clear and working properly.

Do You Need a Repair or a Replacement?

Once you’ve assessed some of the damage on your own, you might be wondering if you need a full roof replacement, which can be costly, or if you might be able to have roof repair instead. Before trying to make this decision on your own, it’s a good idea to call roofers for their opinion. Many will be able to evaluate your roof and let you know your best options. For your peace of mind, don’t have just a single roofing company inspect the property. Have two of them do it so that you can see the veracity of their suggestions, and so you can avoid someone who simply wants to rip you off.

Once you have your assessments from the professionals, you can then decide what your best option will be. For some, it might actually require adding a brand new roof and starting over. For those who have just a small leak, using liquid roofing repair could be a good solution. The important thing is that you don’t jump the gun and make a decision before you know the full extent of the issues with your roof. Keep in mind that your roof is something that you can’t neglect. You need to take care of it right away.