Nailing This Down

Posted on: 26 January 2022

If you've recently been through a bad storm, and you're wondering if your roof has been damaged, it might be a good time for a roof inspection, especially if your roof is getting old. It's good to have your roof inspected occasionally just to make sure there's no damage that needs to be repaired. Here's an overview of the types of damage a roofer might look for on various types of residential roofs.

Clay Tiles Might Be Cracked Or Chipped

If hail or tree branches fall on clay tiles, the tiles might crack or the edges might chip off. Clay tiles can also come loose and slide out. Another problem with clay is that moss can grow on it easily. The roofer wants to check for all of these problems during a roof inspection as well as checking the valleys and around flashing for signs of gaps and leaking.

Metal Panels Can Rust Or Come Loose

Metal roofing panels are coated so they resist rust, but sometimes rust can spread if the coating is scratched off the surface of the metal. Another potential problem is that the seams along metal roof panels can come loose and the gaps let rain get under the roofing. Hail can leave dents on metal panels, and the roofing inspector has to determine if the damage is only cosmetic, and if it's just cosmetic, if it affects the value of your home.

Another thing the contractor may want to check on a roof inspection is how well the panels are fastened to the roof. Panels that are loose are at a higher risk of being lifted during high winds. This might happen when fasteners come loose, so checking the fasteners is often an important part of a metal roof inspection.

Asphalt Shingles Can Curl, Crack, And Come Loose

Asphalt shingles can sustain more damage than clay or metal due to aging and storms, so the roof inspection involves checking for many kinds of damage. Bruised areas could be from hail strikes that crack the back of the shingles. In addition, cracks on the front of the shingles, curled shingles, and loose shingles are all signs the roof is in need of repair.

The inspector also checks the granule layer since a loss of granules means the roof is going to age faster due to sun exposure. The roofer also wants to check the roof deck for signs of water damage. In addition, they'll check the flashing and rubber boots. During a roof inspection, all signs of damage are noted and then reported to you so you can begin the process of roof repair.