How to Assess Your Roof This Spring for Damage

 

As the weather turns warm, countless homeowners turn their attention toward home repair and renovation. Unfortunately, far too many overlook one fundamental feature: their roofs.

 

During the winter and spring, harsh weather conditions can take a toll on shakes, shingles and other roofing materials. When even minor roof damage goes unnoticed, it can result in catastrophic consequences, leading to unwieldy repair bills for exterior and interior issues.

 

“A home’s roof is the first line of defense against storms and extreme weather,” said Eric Brown from Denver’s A to Z Roofing & Exteriors. “Even slight issues can lead to leaks that can cause extensive interior damage ranging from minor water stains on the ceiling to toxic mold in the attic.”

 

To prevent minor problems from evolving into significant, costly issues, it’s important to regularly inspect your roof. According to Brown, your do-it-yourself inspection should begin at ground level. Look for cracked calking and rust spots on metal flashing. See if your shingles are broken, missing, curling, buckling or blistering. Watch for worn or cracked rubber boots around your vent pipes, along with damaged or missing chimney caps. You should also look for lichen or moss, which could be a sign of underlying decay.

 

It’s also important to look for signs of leaks within your attic. Watch for yellow or brown water stains and sniff around for the scent of mold or mildew.

 

According to Brown, while you might be tempted to climb a ladder and walk around on your roof, it’s generally not the best approach.

 

“The less you walk on your roof, the better,” said Eric Brown. “In addition to causing damage to roofing materials, you could suffer a serious fall, especially if you aren’t used to being up high. This is especially true if you have a sloped roof. If a shingle slips free, it could cause a fall.”

 

With this in mind, it’s best to inspect your roof from a ladder without stepping onto the actual surface. If there’s an area you can’t see from a ladder, call a professional roofing contractor.

 

Most homeowners will be able to spot obvious problems, such as flapping or missing shingles, without having to climb onto the roof. That said, other types of damage are not as visible to the untrained eye. This is why it’s important to get a professional opinion.

 

If you have a newer roof that hasn’t experienced much harsh weather since its last inspection, you may be able to get away with a visual inspection from the ground and a thorough check for leaks within your attic. In any other instance, however, homeowners should schedule a comprehensive roof inspection by a roofing professional who knows what to look for.

 

Any damaged or missing shingles should be replaced right away. A roof leak repair cost is often minimal when done correctly. Even though the damage may not seem severe, many roof leaks can be caused by a tiny hole in the flashing or just one torn or missing shingle. It can be very difficult to track down the source of a leak unless you have professional experience.

 

“The average cost to repair a damaged roof is relatively low,” said Brown. “This is especially true when you compare it to the cost of attic mold treatment, which ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 on average and can be as high as $6,000 to $10,000 if the leak is large or has gone unnoticed for a long time.&rdquo

 

If your roof is older, you should schedule seasonal roof inspections from a reputable roofing contractor. This is especially urgent if you suspect damage or have recently experienced hail, heavy snows, high winds or other severe weather. Many times, it’s better to get a new roof than continue patching an older one. As the roof fails around a basic patch, total replacement becomes more and more urgent. Partial roofing jobs also tend to cost more per square area than a new roof.

 

About A to Z Roofing

Since 1994, A to Z Roofing has earned a widespread reputation as one of Colorado’s leading roofing contractors by using the finest roofing materials, providing quality workmanship, and delivering unrivaled customer service.

 

A to Z Roofing specializes in commercial, residential and multi-family roofing and repair. A locally owned company, A to Z has been operating continuously in Colorado for a quarter of a century, serving the roofing needs of homeowners and businesses throughout the entire Colorado Front Range.

Tags: commercial roofing, denver roofers, denver roofing, hail damage, roof maintenance, roof repair