When you own a home, you’ll need to get to grips with property maintenance. This means scheduling in regular checks, cleans, repairs and DIY touch-ups to keep everything in good condition.
One of the most important parts of your home in need of maintenance is the roof. Read on to find out why regular roofing inspections are essential, and how they could save you money in the long run.
Why Are Roofing Inspections So Important?
There are a few key reasons why you should have a roofer carry out a thorough inspection of your roof.
Primarily, it can help to identify and fix minor issues before they escalate into major problems. Missing or broken tiles are a prime example of this. Spot them early and it doesn’t cost much to replace them – it might only take an hour or two of a roofer’s time, and not much of a bill for you.
But if issues like this go unnoticed, you’ll have a small leak allowing rainwater to enter your loft and gradually start to saturate insulation, roof timbers and other parts of the attic. The longer this goes on, the more damage can be caused. This can lead to rotting timbers and structural damage, which can be extremely expensive and disruptive to fix.
The interiors of your home can also be affected, with leaks causing damage to paintwork, plaster and even floor joists.
Regular roof inspections can also help to:
- Avoid or delay major roofing work such as a roof replacement
- Prolong the lifespan of your roof
- Maintain insurance compliance
- Protect your roof and home ahead of bad seasonal weather.
What Happens During a Roof Inspection?
During an inspection, a roofer will systematically check over all of the main components of your roof. They’ll do this on a ladder, so they can get up close to inspect the roof. It’s possible to detect some issues from street level, but a proper inspection should always involve actually accessing the roof.
The inspector will take a close look at the following:
- Roofing materials (i.e. tiles, slates, shingles) – checking for signs of damage like cracks, splits and missing materials
- Flashing and flaunching around chimneys, vents and roof windows
- Chimney stacks – looking for loose or damaged mortar, brickwork, cracks or damaged caps
- Gutters – checking for a buildup of debris (which will need to be cleaned) or damage
- Ventilation in the attic – to make sure the amount of ventilation is sufficient and that vents aren’t blocked, all to prevent the buildup of moisture and damp in the loft.
- Interior structures such as joists and beams, as well as roofing felt and insulation.
You may get a written report after the inspection, along with photographs of any problems or key areas.
The roofer will talk you through any issues, and discuss potential solutions. You can then book in repair works, or perhaps even have very minor issues fixed there and then.
How Often Should Roofing Inspections Be Carried Out?
Ideally, you should book in a roof inspection at least once a year. Aim to schedule it before winter, although bear in mind that this is the time of year when roofers may be very busy – as everyone else prepares their roofs for winter. So, you might want to have a regular date booked in, or contact your roofer well in advance of this time.
You might also want to get a roof inspection after a period of severe weather, if you’re buying or selling a property, or if you suspect there’s a problem.