Let's take a look at the roof!
I generally schedule appointments early in the day for a couple of reasons. One of those reasons is that the roof is cooler and I am less likely to damage the shingles when walking on them.
I look for many items but I always look for the "usual suspects". The most common issue I see are roof nails or staples that have not been sealed (with an appropriate roofing sealant). There are several other common issues that I continually see. I'm listing a few of them here in no particular order.
- Missing shingles
- Previous, unreported roof repairs
- Roof jacks (lead sleeves that cover vent pipes) that have been chewed by critters
- Shingles turned the wrong way at the edges or in the valleys
- Chimneys that do not have adequate flashing
- Hail damage
- Gutters that are full of debris
This list represents only a few of the items that I have found during the course of a roof inspection.
I do try to walk on all roofs, but not all roofs are friendly for walking; some are downright hostile! Personally, I am able to walk on most roofs; however, I am unable to walk on very steep roofs, tile roofs or metal roofs. For these, I generally view them from the ground with binoculars or, if possible, from a ladder. Also, I never get on a roof during a rain or when the shingles are wet.
Ultimately the goal is to find any current or potential problems with your roof. While it is not always possible to find minor leaks with the naked eye (especially on a sunny day), I do work hard to examine the roof as thoroughly as possible.
Stay tuned,
Bruce
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