Before doing a roof inspection, homeowners shouldn’t wait for water damage, leaks, or other roof issues to develop. It’s good to inspect your roof at least twice a year or after a very big snowfall or storm. There are ways to complete the task without climbing up and walking on the roof if you have a steep roof or delay because you don’t feel like bringing out the ladder.
Without using a ladder, here are three ways to inspect roof damage and determine whether you need roof repairs or replacement:
Walk Around the House with Binoculars
With just a pair of binoculars, you can conduct a roof inspection to assess the state of your roof. With the binoculars, walk around your house and inspect the flashing and trim on your roof. Examine the area around the chimney for any evident signs of deterioration, such as cracking.
Check for any shingles that are starting to come free since this signals loose shingles that could cause further damage to your roof. Examine all portions of the roof for signs of wear, particularly those that are more likely to weak.
If your roof is made of asphalt shingles, look for dark patches that signal shingle and shake cracking. Pieces curling upwards and damaged, missing, or split is poor signals if you have wood shingles. Slate shingles that have been damaged will have missing or fractured portions.
Caulking, Valleys, and Inspect A Roof Inspection
A thorough inspection of valleys and caulking is another option to complete a roof inspection without stepping up on the roof. Valleys are where water enters the gutters after running down the roof and are important indicators of your roof’s general condition. Water, moisture, dampness, and debris can cause valleys to deteriorate faster than the rest of your roof.
Similarly, the regions around your chimneys and vent pipes may deteriorate over time. It would be best if you inspected the caulking for any cracks or gaps and any fractured or missing caulking.