March 4, 2017
Your home’s roof provides its primary defense against the elements. For that reason, it makes sense to have your roof be in good condition and performing like it should be. Unfortunately, a harsh hurricane season can take a real toll on roofing materials. Now, before more spring rains come, is the time to make a quick roof inspection.
So, how do you know whether the weather was damaging to your roof? We have a quick checklist for inspecting your roof, without the use of a ladder or climbing on your roof. Always, safety first!
Quick Home Roof Inspection Checklist
- From your attic, inspect the underside of your roof deck for dark spots and dampness. These will likely indicate leaks.
- Inspect your attic insulation for high moisture content. High moisture can mean leaks or poor ventilation, and it is damaging the effectiveness of your insulation.
- If you saw moisture on the nails sticking through your roof deck this winter, or on the back side of the roof decking itself, that indicates excessive moisture in your attic (which could be caused by leaks from the living space) as well as inadequate ventilation.
- Look for shingles that have lifted up. This can be caused by cold or the wind. These shingles will likely not “seal back down” and return to their intended level of integrity and protection.
- Look for missing shingles or badly cracked shingles. Heat, wind, and water all work together on Louisiana asphalt roofs to damage shingles and compromise the protection of your home.
We urge you to make the most of the time in-between weather events to inspect your roof. If you are inspecting your roof and have questions, please call us at 504-468-2111. We’re roofing experts for New Orleans and the surrounding communities. You can also contact us at any time here.
Steve Stouder is the owner and operator of Middle South Systems, a leading provider of metal roofing in Southeast Louisiana.