Home Care: Roof Inspection

Over the course of a season, roofing materials are exposed to tremendous temperature changes that cause shingles and flashing to expand and contract. Eventually, this process causes roofing materials to wear out. Therefore, a roof should be thoroughly inspected at least once a year.

From the ground, you can get a pretty good idea of what shape the roof is in by visually inspecting it with binoculars and checking downspouts for shingle granules that have washed down. However, the most accurate way to inspect the roof is by accessing it, or at least climbing a ladder to get a closer look. The basic indicators of a deteriorating roof are cupping, buckling, loose or missing shingles, and loss of granules.