Experts say one benefit of scheduling a “peace of mind” type of commercial roof inspection every one or two years is the ability to catch potential roofing problems before they become bigger. It’s also helpful to get a professional estimate of how much useful life your roof might have left.
Here are common components an inspector will examine:
- Overall appearance of the roof, both exterior and interior. This will indicate whether there’s surface deterioration or any physical damage.
- Evidence of ceiling cracks and leaks.
- Condition of fascia, gutters and drains, skylights, chimneys and vents.
- Curled, broken or missing shingles.
- Areas where water may collect, like roof valleys.
- Damaged or missing flashing points.
Should you hire a contractor to inspect your roof?
There are a couple of reasons to consider hiring an expert roofing contractor. For one thing, climbing a ladder and getting on a roof can be dangerous. For another, there could be subtle signs of problems that only an expert would notice.
However, it pays to beware of roofing scams. You want to be sure to hire an established, reputable and reliable roofing inspector. Before agreeing to any suggested roofing work, be sure to do your hiring homework.
That includes asking friends, family and neighbors for recommendations, as well as checking a trusted online consumer review site. Get multiple bids, ask for and check references and make sure the company you hire is appropriately licensed and insured.
In the wake of potentially roof-damaging weather, be on the watch for so-called storm chasers, who typically travel around the country looking to take advantage of people in distress. Make sure that the company you hire has an actual permanent local office, not just a P.O. box.
If the repairs are small – such as repairing missing or broken shingles – then you may be able handle those fixes yourself. For bigger issues, you need to bring in a professional to conduct an additional inspection. Often a complete roofing replacement is needed and this is best left to Toledo Roof Repair. Contact us today if you notice any roofing problems and we will perform an inspection and offer the best solution for your roofing needs.
