Getting Familiar With Your Roof Now Can Save You Time and Money Down the Road

Taking the time to inspect your roof once a year can help you stay on top of moisture damage and deal with problems before they spin out of control and become more costly and time consuming. Even an amateur can gather valuable information about the state of a roof. If you have a pair of binoculars you can even keep your feet planted firmly on the ground while you inspect.

Walk around the outside of your home and inspect each section of your roof, noting damage or potential issues. Here’s what to look for:

• Damaged or missing shingles. Look for signs of blistering, buckling, or curling.

• Spots of lichen and moss. These masses may mean that your roof is decaying beneath the shingles. Don’t worry about black algae—those stains are merely cosmetic.

• Missing, cracked, or rusted spots on flashing or caulk.

• Loose nails that need to be reset.

If you feel comfortable working on the roof yourself, replacing shingles is a relatively simple job. Expect the work to take half a day and cost around $30. If you’d rather not do the work yourself, seek out a professional roofing company. For minor repairs you can use a handyman. Just be sure that the person you hire has the proper credentials and insurance to keep your home safe.

Keep an Eye Out for These Signs of Roof Damage

Taking the time to assess your roof once a year is great, but new roof issues can spring up at any time. Therefore, it’s important to stay aware of changes in and around your home that could indicate a compromised roof. Look for:

• Water stains on ceilings

• Paint peeling off from under roof overhangs

• Damp spots in or around your fireplace

Seek out a professional assessment if you see any of these signs. Some roofing companies will even do this assessment for free.