Did you know that roof inspections help you save on your homeowners insurance?
As we have discussed on insurancehub.com before, preventive maintenance is the key to protecting the investment of your house. Your roof can be compared to a helmet that protects your head. Just as a damaged helmet can make you susceptible to brain injuries, a damaged roof can make you susceptible to water damage, termites, and mold growth.
Here are 6 things to look out for with your roof
Some of these things will require getting on the roof. If you are afraid to get on a ladder, you are not alone. Try a pair of binoculars or even better hire a roofing professional to do your annual inspection for you. Other warning signs can be seen from inside your home.
Look for leaks
Walk around the inside of your home. Things to look for:
- Do you see any discoloration from water stains on your interior room ceilings or walls?
- Do you see any of the tape joints peeling on your ceiling?
- Do you see peeling or blistering paint on the ceiling?
- Do you see any interior drips when it is raining?
- Do you see signs of wet insulation in your attic?
- Any rotting wood in your fascia boards or where your gutter attaches to your home?
Check your Flashing
What is flashing? Flashing is the weather proof metal that keeps water from getting into places it doesn’t belong. What can you do to protect yourself? Physically check the flashing for cracks or damage around:
- Chimney
- Skylights
- Vent pipe penetrations
- Where your roof meets an exterior wall
Do you see any damage? Replace any damaged flashing or pick up a tube of asphalt roof cement and use it immediately.
Have you ever hear of an ice dam?
Do you ever see ice freeze up and hang over your gutters when it snows? This is an ice dam. It causes moisture to get under shingles. Snow melts and leaks into the exterior wall, home or attic. Can you see how this could cause mold later on?
Check for damaged shingles
With your binoculars, look for signs of damaged or missing shingles. Look in your yard for pieces of broken shingle after a wind storm or hail storm.
Any green shingles?
What would make your roof turn green?
- Mold
- Algae
- Fungus
Do not ignore these signs as they can be indicative of bigger roofing problems.
Just as a helmet protects your head while riding a bike or playing football, so to your roof protects your home from all kinds of potentially expensive repairs later on. Remember that deferred maintenance claims may be denied. So take the time to have an annual roofing inspection each year. If you have any questions about roofing repairs and whether they are covered by your home owners insurance then call us at InsuranceHub.
