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Often taken for granted until something goes wrong, roof inspection and repair is an important aspect of home maintenance. This article will cover some of the basics on roofing inspection, how to tell when to repair or replace, and what types of roofing materials are commonly used. Many homeowners conduct a formal or informal roofing inspection on an annual basis. Perhaps more than any other material used to build your home, the roof is subject to wear and tear and may be particularly bad if the weather has been extreme or destructive. When conducting an inspection, it is important to keep in mind what part of the country you live in, what sort of weather patterns your area experiences, how often your roof has been maintained or replaced in the past, and what kind of material it is. Whether you hire an inspector or do-it-yourself, some things to look for when inspecting your roof include verifying integrity of flashings around chimneys and vents, looking for asphalt gravel in gutters or bare spots on shingles, checking for warping in wooden shingles, finding signs of pitting or rusting in metal roofs, and looking for brittle slate or clay tile shingles that are particularly susceptible to bad weather. Don’t forget to look under eaves and around skylights for signs of water damage. Many roofing companies offer free inspections and can be contracted on an annual basis to come by your home and look for damage. Regular inspections can be worth their weight in gold and often save a lot of time and money in the long run. If your roof inspection shows damage, the next question may be whether to replace or repair. While replacement is often expensive, older homes may actually save money when repair work is extensive. The biggest factor determining the cost of replacement or repair is roofing material. The most expensive materials are clay tiles and the least expensive are asphalt shingles. However, it is important to keep in mind your location in the country and particular weather patterns when choosing materials. The decision to repair or replace may arise much more often if you choose clay tiles in an area that receives a lot of ice storms. Some of the obvious signs that a roof needs replacing include: interior wall or ceiling blistering, obvious leakage or water damage, ice buildup in the attic, curling shingles that look dirty or have algae, sagging and rotten soffits, or even something as simple as a rise in energy costs over the winter. Now that you know what to look for when inspecting a roof and determining if damage needs to be replaced or repaired, how can you tell which type of roofing is appropriate for your area of the country and particular weather patterns? As noted above, the asphalt shingle is the least expensive material and most popular. However, they are very vulnerable to wind and ice damage. At the other end of the spectrum, clay tiles are the most expensive and are resistant to insects, mold, and decay. Clay tiles are very heavy and difficult to install, adding to their cost. Slate roofing is popular due to its durability and resistance, but is the most expensive to install because it usually requires the skill of stonemasons. Wooden shingles are cheap, but do not resist elements or insects as well as the others. Lastly, galvanized metal roofing is popular in climates that experience a lot of snow in the winter and is extremely cost-efficient to install or maintain. When you live in Boston, roofing protects you from those cold winter storms. If you need some repairs, find a contractor today at http://www.angieslist.com/.
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