Roof Inspection Checklist

As long as you're up on the eaves cleaning out your gutters, or installing gutter guards, you may as well do a good roof inspection so you can avoid a serious problem inside the house. Here's a few things you should look out for and tips for doing it the right way.

Start from the inside in the attic. Look for stains from water, wet wood, moisture and soft spots. These are often identified by being areas of darker wood. Dry rot could set in, circle these areas with chalk. On sunny days turn off the lights and look for holes. If you find some you need a way to identify them from the topside, so stick long nails through the holes. Then when you get on top of the roof you'll know exactly where they are.

Avoid walking on your roof as much as possible, it wasn't designed for tons of foot traffic. Do it for your inspections, but don't have a party up there. Look for sags in the roof, if you see them call a pro. Check the flishings (these are the metal seams around eaves and chimneys) for rust or broken seals.

Look for signs of wear, loose nails, or missing shingles.

If you do have dry rot you can scrape out the minor damage. Treat the area with a wood preservative and fill any holes with wood putty. If it's more than minor damage call a pro.

A lot of things require the help of a professional roofer, but if you do your own annual inspections you can prevent bigger bills and problems later on. It's always a good idea to stay ahead of any problems.