Winter can be a tough time for roofs, the cold and poor weather conditions deteriorate roofing materials and storms can cause major damage. Below are some of the main benefits why getting your roof checked before winter arrives is a great idea.
- Identify and Address Issues: As there is little rain in the summer you may be unaware of any roofing issues such as damaged tiles or leaks in the felt. The sun can cause damage to roofing materials like tiles and flat roof coatings, also animals such as birds and squirrels can make holes in roofing felt. By booking an inspection with us, one of our roofers can visit your home and identify any problem areas that need fixing before winter.
- Prevent Leaks and Water Damage: If you have any problems with your roof that you are unaware of it may take some time before you notice. Once winter arrives and the rain and ice gets into your roof it can start to rot timbers and cause internal damage. It won’t be until you see a water patch on your ceiling until you realise you have a roof leak.
- Extend Roof Lifespan: Neglecting your roof and not having regular inspections from a roof will only shorten the life of you roof. By having an annual inspection and maintenance carried out you can expand the lifespan of your roof and avoid having to get an expensive repairs or a premature re-roof to change your roofs protective lining.
- Energy Efficiency: A roofer can maintain your roof and ensure it is running optimally, this will result in better energy efficiency. Any problems in your roof like broken tiles or holes in felt will lead to your roof letting out heat in the winter. A roofer can also check that you have sufficient insulation that meetings building regulations.
- Safety: Working at heights is dangerous enough as it is but trying to carry out roofing works when it is wet and icy is even more dangerous. Many roofers can’t work in the conditions so it is safer and more efficient to get works completed before winter arrives.
The Point Roofing & Guttering team recommends that you schedule a roof inspection at least once a year, and doing so before winter is best as any issues can get fixed before winter arrives. You can attempt to inspect the roof yourself but it is advisable to hire a professional roofing contractor who can safely carry out the inspection and correctly identify any issues.
How should a roof be checked?
A roof inspection or also known as a roof survey is a detailed process where a professional roofer examines your roof externally and internally. The check is to assess the integrity of the roof as well as to identify any roofing issues. Here’s a general overview of how a roof inspection typically works:
- Initial Assessment:
- The first steps of an inspection is assessing the roof from ground level, checking for any obvious but major issues such as sagging, bowing, missing or slipped tiles or slates.
- The first steps of an inspection is assessing the roof from ground level, checking for any obvious but major issues such as sagging, bowing, missing or slipped tiles or slates.
- Safety Precautions:
- During an inspection the roofer must take safety precautions, if using a ladder there must be 2 roofers to carry out the inspection. For higher buildings scaffolding or lift access would be required.
- During an inspection the roofer must take safety precautions, if using a ladder there must be 2 roofers to carry out the inspection. For higher buildings scaffolding or lift access would be required.
- Exterior Inspection:
- The inspection of the exterior involves an up close inspection of the roof, looking for signs of damage, deterioration, covering areas like the tiles, ridge, eaves, verges, lead flashing, fascia and gutters.
- The inspection of the exterior involves an up close inspection of the roof, looking for signs of damage, deterioration, covering areas like the tiles, ridge, eaves, verges, lead flashing, fascia and gutters.
- Internal Inspection (if applicable):
- An internal inspection would involve checking the loft space. Here a roofer would assess the felt for deterioration or holes. Also the rafters for any rotting and the insulation.
- An internal inspection would involve checking the loft space. Here a roofer would assess the felt for deterioration or holes. Also the rafters for any rotting and the insulation.
- Ventilation and Insulation Check:
- Ventilation is a very important part of expanding the lifespan of a roof, the roof needs to have proper airflow. Insulation is an important part in your home being energy efficient and keeping in heat in the winter. A roofer can check your have correct insulation that meets building regulations.
- Ventilation is a very important part of expanding the lifespan of a roof, the roof needs to have proper airflow. Insulation is an important part in your home being energy efficient and keeping in heat in the winter. A roofer can check your have correct insulation that meets building regulations.
- Flashing Examination:
- Flashing is a critical component that prevents water from entering the roof at vulnerable points, such as around chimneys, vents, and skylights. The inspector checks the condition of flashing to ensure it is intact and properly sealed.
- Flashing is a critical component that prevents water from entering the roof at vulnerable points, such as around chimneys, vents, and skylights. The inspector checks the condition of flashing to ensure it is intact and properly sealed.
- Structural Evaluation:
- During the inspection the structure of the roof will be assessed internally and externally to make sure there are no issues and it is safe.
- During the inspection the structure of the roof will be assessed internally and externally to make sure there are no issues and it is safe.
- Documentation:
- The roofer will take notes and photos of any findings so that the homeowner can see the issues and understand why they need to be fixed.
- The roofer will take notes and photos of any findings so that the homeowner can see the issues and understand why they need to be fixed.
- Recommendations:
- Once the inspection has finished and all findings have been documented the roofer will discuss with your what was found and recommend the best plan of action to fix the problems. In some cases roof replacement may be recommended if the issues cannot be repaired effectively.
Only an experienced and knowledgeable roofer will be able to provide a detailed roof inspection that can identify problems that need repairing and will also give you the right information you need to make the right decision. Roof inspections by the Point Roofing & Guttering team are free of charge if you know you already have an issue. If you require a more detailed survey or you would like your roof checked before winter then get in touch with the team and we can book in the inspection.
