Problems That Can Cause Your Roof Inspection to Fail
Home inspections are not required in most states , but if you are a property owner it is vital that you get one done on your house at least once in a lifetime. However, when you are looking for a roof contractor to come out to your home and inspect your roof, it is important to know what types of problems can cause a roof inspection to fail. While there is no “one size fits all” approach to inspecting any type of roof, it is important to be aware of the main reasons why the inspection is important. Most often, a homeowner will only get a roofing inspection when they are looking to buy or sell a home. Here are some common reasons why that may be the case.
Roofs are Expensive
– Roofs are one of the most expensive parts of a home to replace. While it is true that you may not need a roof inspection if you have never had one, it’s smart to get them every five to ten years just to make sure that your roof is still sound and intact. If your roof has been inspected and found to be sound and intact, that is good news. The problem is, what happens if it changes? Replacing a roof is not cheap and if it needs repairs, that will add to your expenses. If you think that the cost of a roof repair right now is more than the cost of a roof inspection at this point in time, you might want to rethink that decision.
Bad Weather
– Bad weather can cause a roof inspection to fail as well. Whether it is windy or rainy, high winds can knock down a roof and it can also cause leaks to appear around the building. Sometimes, this will only manifest itself through what is often referred to as ‘hydrostatic pressure’. This is due to the weight of rain and higher elevations on the building itself. The amount of hydrostatic pressure can be significant if a proper inspection is not done. If the roof inspection fails to detect the problem, the only solution then is a replacement.
Roof Material
– Another cause of roof failure is if the roofing material is not the right type for the structure itself. A building’s roofing materials are typically cement tiles or shingles. The problem with these materials is that they can eventually fail due to what is referred to as the ‘wear and tear’ process. When this happens, the roofer will need to replace the entire roof so that the structure is not damaged further. If the inspection failed to detect the problem in time, a building may need to be demolished rather than repaired.
Severe Storms
– Another issue that can cause a roof inspection to fail is when it comes to the timely repair of damage caused by severe storms. Most people associate a roof with safety, but it is important to realize that your roof does not have to be storm proof. Wind, rain, snow, hail and ice may all do damage, even though the roof is not actually damaged. In order to ensure that a roof is safe for living in, a thorough inspection should be completed at regular intervals. Even if a small leak comes up, you should know what type of problems can arise from it.
– All roofs need to be checked periodically to ensure that they are still sound. When a roof inspection fails to detect any evidence of damage that could be causing a hazard, such as a leak, a roofing material assessment should be conducted. If the roof inspection report indicates that there is damage, repairs should be made before the issue gets worse. If the issues are discovered after they have already gotten worse, your chances of having to make repairs grow significantly increase. Having a roofing material assessment done on your roof at least twice a year will help to ensure that you are able to take care of minor issues before they become worse.
Age Spots
– All roofs have age spots. Whether you see dark patches on the roof or spotty peeling paint, your roof has age spots. This type of damage can create holes through the shingles and the protective layer of paint, allowing water to get inside your home. If you notice any spots where the paint is peeling or exposing the underside of the metal, a roof inspection should be scheduled to determine whether or not this problem can be fixed or whether it should be replaced. If a hole develops through a shingle or other area, it may have to be replaced with a new one.
These are just a few examples of what can cause a roof inspection to fail. If you spot problems with your roof that you believe could be covered by an inspection, schedule a visit to a local roofer soon. They can give you an estimate of what your roofing material costs, how much repair or replacement will cost, and tell you what types of repairs or replacements might be needed. Having this information ahead of time will help you prepare for what you hope to hear when the time comes or if your looking to invest in real estate. In addition, your roofer can offer suggestions about the best way to fix or replace your roof and what type of materials would be best for your particular situation.