One of your home’s most essential yet underappreciated aspects is its roof. Your roof truly is the unsung hero of your home and one of the best investments you can make. Yet, for decades, many of us don’t give it a second thought for years at a time. But there it is, standing firmly, protecting your family from the elements, keeping the structure of your home dry and secure, and when properly maintained can easily last over 20 years! So what signs will tell you it’s time for an inspection and possible maintenance or a total roof replacement? Don’t worry, Oregon Roof Guys’ has you covered!

When should I get a roof inspection?

If you are confident in your physical fitness, you should do a spot inspection at least once a year and after any extreme weather events, like hail, snow, and high winds, and keep an eye out for any interior leaks. If it’s been a while since you or a professional last inspected your roof, calling and scheduling a comprehensive free roof inspection is paramount. Here are some warning signs that you should call for an inspection today:

• Your roof is over 20 years old – While many shingles today are more durable than ever, many factors can accelerate the aging of your shingles. For example, if your roof is not adequately ventilated or your home is under large shade-providing trees, these factors can negatively impact the life of your shingles and your roof deck.
• The roof looks old and worn – This one seems obvious, but many homeowners operate under an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. But rest assured, you don’t want to wait for your roof to fail. The damage can be catastrophic to the structural stability of your home, electronics, furniture, floors, and carpets, and often costs multiple times more in repairs than a roof replacement or maintenance.
• Moss is present – When moss grows abundantly, it becomes a heavy blanket on top of your roof that retains water and moisture, which turns to rot, bacteria, and mold growth. This growth shortens your roof’s lifespan and presents a hazard to your family’s health, especially the little ones!
• Leaks or water spots – A roof leak, even a small one, can wreak havoc on your household. Leaks spread quickly; if you ignore them long enough, they often become much more significant issues. Small leaks, when ignored, can result in attic and ceiling damage, mold and mildew growth, reduced structural integrity and dry rot, insulation damage, and health issues. Not to mention an off-putting smell that spreads throughout the home.
• Your neighbors are getting new roofs – Neighborhood homes are often built around the same time and experience identical weather conditions and events as your home. So if you see that a couple of your neighbors are replacing their roofs, it’s a good sign that yours is probably showing some wear and tear.

What is included in a Roof Inspection?

A professional and comprehensive roof inspection includes reviewing four key components: The shingles, roof deck, attic, and the roof system like venting and flashing.

• Shingle Inspection – An inspection of the shingles will take into account:

• • Shingle edges – are they curling or cupping? This is a solid sign that your shingles are pretty old.
  • Bald spots – are granules missing, and from how many of the shingles? Bald shingles need to be repaired or replaced, most often replaced.
  • Cracked shingles – cracking causes the shingle to weaken, possibly buckle and become dislodged.
  • Shingles lifting – Caused by high winds or the initial installers not using enough nails. This is often a sign that other shingles are also losing their hold.
  • Shingles are loose or missing – Again, not a good sign for the health of the rest of the roof. Sometimes simply replacing the missing shingle is putting a band-aid on a more significant issue.
  • Excessive Moss – Moss grows into cracks and spaces it shouldn’t, causing shingle lifting and breakdown.

• Roof Deck Inspection – When it comes to any construction project, starting with a solid foundation is paramount. The roof deck is the foundation of your roof system, and its integrity can be compromised if exposed to moisture. If you build your roof on a faulty foundation, it will need to be replaced much sooner than a roof built by Oregon Roof Guys. Our roof deck inspection will take note of:

• • Type and condition of the roof deck.
  • Flashing of eaves and rakes.
  • Dry rot areas and soft spots on the roof.
  • Typical areas of concern.

• Attic Inspection – A comprehensive roof inspection requires us to look at the attic. While everything may seem fine from the roof deck, multiple factors can result in excessive moisture originating in the attic that can weaken the integrity of your roof from below. An attic inspection should take note of the following:

• • Mold growth
  • The presence or smell of mildew
  • Dry rot which leads to structural integrity issues
  • Excessive moisture spots
  • Proper airflow

• Roof System Inspection – Your roof system comprises venting, flashing, and engineering solutions specific to your home’s roof. Items we look for in a roof system inspection are:

• • Penetration points
  • Quality of the flashing
  • Issues resulting from improper engineering of the roof system

Once we have compiled the findings from these four crucial areas, if the roof inspection reveals you need a new roof, now or in the near future, we will promptly provide an estimate. Simple as that!

Don’t let your roof go unnoticed any longer. Contact Oregon Roof Guys today for a free comprehensive roof inspection, and ensure your family and your home’s safety for another 20 years!