The roof on your home in Gig Harbor, Port Orchard, or Tacoma is a critical part of your home. But it’s not always easy to know exactly what could be wrong with your roof. So, when should you have your roof inspected? You should plan to have your roof inspected after a major storm, if your roof is more than 10 years old, or if you have trees that surround or cover your roof.
Let’s talk more about each scenario.
Storm Damage
After any storm that involved high winds, hail, or flying debris, you will want to check for the following:
Missing, broken, or curling shingles or tiles
Holes or punctures in the roof
Loose or broken flashing
Leaks in the attic
Loose or broken ridge vents
If you suspect there is damage from a storm, we recommend you call your insurance company. They will help with an assessment of what your next steps should be.
And know some of these can be repaired by the homeowner, but it's best to call on a professional. They can make the repairs and provide insight as to whether any additional damage has been done.
Age of Your Roof
Because older roofs are more susceptible to weather damage, we recommend homeowners with a roof that is more than 10 years old hire a professional to complete seasonal interior and exterior inspections. Most homeowners can easily spot missing shingles or flashing that need repair, but a trained inspector will inspect your roof’s structural system, materials, and workmanship.
This approach helps ensure your roof will last as long as it can, and often saves homeowners money in the long run.
Tree Coverage
The trees that surround your home may be a desirable landscape feature, but they can also cause quite the damage to your roof, especially after a storm. Large branches and limbs can snap off in high winds and leave holes in your roof, and smaller branches often rip off shingles as they fall to the ground.
If you have trees that are touching your roof, it's best to have these trimmed back. This can cause damage to your roof’s shingles and can encourage moss to develop.
As you think about tackling some of these projects, it’s always best to hire a professional. But the homeowners can take care of this, as long as your safe. Want to learn more about roof safety? Check out our safety tips here.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to have your roof inspected, and if you need a new roof or repairs. Give us a call!