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How Often Should I Get a Roof Inspection?

May 30, 2023

Many homeowners don’t realize the importance of having regular roof inspections.

“I just had my roof replaced. I don’t need to worry about it for a long time,” they think.

That’s true to a certain point, but there are many factors that could damage a roof that are unrelated to the quality of the materials and the integrity of the construction.

Things that are out of your hands – like storms, critters and fallen leaves or branches – could damage a roof, even a newly installed one. For that reason, it’s important to inspect your roof periodically.

Looking at it on your own is a start. However, ideally you should hire a local commercial roof inspection company to do it for you to ensure that all potential concerns are identified. Preventative maintenance can keep minor issues from turning into significant problems that will require more expensive repairs later. Additionally, the inspection process could be dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken. Professionals would have proper tools and safety equipment to protect themselves, you and your home.

Following are answers to a few common questions about roof inspections that you might find helpful.

Q: How often should roof inspections take place?

The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that you do this twice a year.

However, how often you have your roof inspected also depends on various factors. If your roof is older, you may wish to check it more often. You also should consider doing a quick visual analysis on a regular basis during the fall to make sure leaves aren’t blocking your gutters.

Q: What is the best time of the year for a commercial inspection?

Preferably, you should check your roof in the spring and fall when the weather is mild. Doing so in the spring is especially ideal because the winter weather may have caused some damage to your roof.

If icicles formed often over the winter, this may be a sign of gutter blockage or poor insulation. Icicles form due to ice dams along the sides of your roof. As the first layer of snow on the roof melts due to heat from your attic or other areas of your home, the water leaks down and freezes when it hits cold air.

Q: What things should I look for and what factors should I consider when checking my roof?

When doing a visual inspection on your own, look for the following:

  • Sagging or drooping
  • Blocked gutters
  • Frayed shingles
  • Mold or moss growth
  • Ice and water damage
  • Damaged flashing

You should also look inside your attic for beams of light that might be coming through, which may signal cracks in the roof.

A bat makes a nest on a residential roof.

Q: Can animals damage a roof? I hear them up there all the time!

Yes, they could!

Squirrels have been known to build nests under shingles, and termites can eat away at the materials. Raccoons and possums can literally claw and bite their way through some of the roofing materials.

Birds and bats may also build nests in areas of your roof, or elsewhere around your home, that can lead to an accumulation of leaves, ice and water. Nests can also block vents, leading to poor air circulation that can damage your home over time.

So, if you regularly hear little feet scurrying or birds landing overhead, it may be time to take a look at your roof to make sure these animals haven’t made your home their home.

For more information about how often you should inspect your roof, signs that you should hire a commercial roof inspector and what to look for as you are checking your roof, send us a message through our website. If you need a roof repair quickly due to unexpected property damage, call our 24/7 hotline for assistance.