If you’re completely honest with yourself, you would say yes if someone asked you whether you conduct any roof inspections or look after general maintenance. It’s something that many people tend to forget, so don’t feel bad, as you’re not the only one. However, it would be wise to not forget about your roof when it comes to home maintenance. That’s because the two main causes of water damage in homes are from leaking roofs and flooded basements.  

Expert roofing contractors recommend getting a roof inspection twice a year or, at the very least, once per year if your roof is in fairly good condition. If you’ve experienced a severe weather event or violent storm recently, you should always call Florida roof maintenance to inspect your roof. You don’t need to call a roofing expert or professional services for roof inspections in most cases.  

We are sharing the basic checklist for roof inspections that every homeowner can conduct by themselves. It’s not only cost-effective and simple but will ensure that you can identify small issues with your roof and deal with minor repair work so that you don’t need a roof replacement. Here is our checklist for roof inspections and what you should look for: 

1. Walk Around Your Home’s Exterior  

One of the first things you should do in any roof inspection is to take a walk around your home’s exterior. It will give you a general idea about your roof’s condition and allow you to look at the roof from multiple angles and vantage points. You should look for signs of aging, damage, and sagging on the roof from the ground. Make notes of all the problem areas you can notice and places on the roof which require a closer inspection from a roofing expert.  

2. Identify Signs of Water Damage 

Your roof can easily develop leakage issues if standing water is on top of it. Unfortunately, there are several things or items that can fly on top of your roof during a storm and get stuck there. You need to clean out your roof routinely to prevent piles of leaves, moss, and algae from developing on the roof. These not only create an ideal breeding and nesting ground for critters but can also cause expensive leakage problems and water damage.  

3. Get on the Step Ladder and Check the Sidings and Shingles 

During your roof inspection, it’s better to get up on the step ladder and get a closer look at the roof siding and shingles. You don’t want a roof with missing shingles or where the siding is about to fall off. Watch out for curled or buckled shingles on your roof, as often the attic releases hot air towards the roof, which can cause the shingles to curl and buckle away from the house.  

That will result in poor ventilation on the roof and leave your home at increased risk of water damage when the next storm rolls into town.  

4. Record Any and All Damage on Your Phone 

It’s best to take out your smartphone and start filming all the damage or any signs of damage on your roof. You can show this later to roofing experts the next time you get Florida roof maintenance. Aging, missing, and damaged shingles are an eyesore and one of the main causes of roof damage. Don’t let this problem drag on and get these shingles replaced immediately, or else you will need a roof replacement.  

5. Clean Out Your Gutters 

Since you’re already on the step ladder and inspecting the roof, now would be the best time to clear away all the debris and dirt from your gutters on the roof. Cleaning the roof overhangs, downspouts, and gutters is essential to the maintenance and upkeep of your roof. Leaving them dirty and clogged will result in water logging problems on your roof, resulting in damaged roofs.  

When inspecting your roof, it’s best to keep a close eye on the condition of your roof and the surrounding areas, as sometimes you may miss things that roofing contractors notice. Therefore, it’s best to record your roof’s condition on camera so that even if you miss something at the moment, you can always review it later.  

After completing your roof inspection, if you notice any signs of damage or potential areas of concern on your roof, don’t hesitate to contact the roofing experts, J & K Roofing, for professional roof repair. Addressing minor concerns or problems on your roof can make your life easier and help you avoid major damage that requires expensive repairs and roof replacement.