Your DIY Roof Assessment Guide

By Cheryl Smith, Solid Rock Roofing

An annual roof inspection in the fall and spring can help you diagnose any potential problems before they arise.

It’s recommended that you hire a professional roofing company to assist you with your roof assessment. There are a few things you can do yourself. Here are some important tips to help get you started…

Before you begin inspecting your roof or cleaning your gutters, remember these important ladder safety tips:

• Inspect your ladder – including rungs and rails – for damage

• Ensure your ladder is on solid, level ground

• Make sure your ladder is extended 3’ past the gutter and angle it 1’ away from your home for every 4’ feet in eave height

• Use a bungee cord to secure the ladder at the top to prevent it from falling

• Make sure you’re using both of your hands when climbing

 

When you’ve got your ladder set up and you're ready to start your DIY roof assessment, take notice of any of the following:

• Buckling, curling or blistering shingles – that might indicate the shingles need to be replaced soon

• Damage around your chimney or pipes

• An unusually large amount of shingle pieces (granules) in your gutters – granules give shingles weight and protect them from UV rays.

 

If you find a problem or anything unusual when performing your roof assessment, make sure you contact a BBB Accredited roofing company like Solid Rock Roofing to further assess the situation and perform any repairs.