Did you know that Boise has become the 13th fastest-warming city in the entire United States? This is after a study found the city’s yearly average temperature to have risen 3.84 degrees from 1970 to 2018.
What’s more, Boise now has at least 7.4 more super hot days that go beyond 100 degrees!
It’s because of these climate changes that you need to start taking better care of your home’s roof. After all, it’s one of your home’s main defenses against environmental conditions.
Since your roofing system bears the brunt of bad weather, you should get it inspected at least twice a year.
The question now is, how exactly can seasonal inspections help protect your roof? Is it okay to DIY roof inspections and repairs or should you hire contractors to do it for you?
We’ll answer all these questions in this post, so be sure to read on!
Why You Need (At Least) Semi-Annual Roofing Inspections
Regardless of your roof’s primary material, you should inspect it twice a year. Do the same even if you have a slate roof, which can last anywhere from 75 to 100 years. The minimum you should set for inspections is once during spring and another in the fall.
Why?
Because Idaho, including Boise, is no stranger to extreme weather, be it heat, rain, hail storms, or snow. During fall and winter, rain and snow could batter your roof. In spring and summer, more rain and then extreme heat can take a toll on your roof.
All these elements can hasten a roof’s corrosion or decay. In hot weather, the sun’s UV radiation exposes your roof to greater heat and more severe thermal shock. The latter happens when the cooler water from summer rains suddenly replaces heat.
That said, you should at least check your roof before and right after the most severe seasons. Inspections done before will prepare it for the upcoming ordeal it may face. After-season check-ups will let you uncover damages that happened during the severe season.
Inspections Are Key to Longer-Lasting Roofs And Healthier Homes
By knowing the exact condition of your roof, you can address problems before they worsen. Pre-severe season inspections also give you more time to correct roof issues. You can get all those leaks patched up and broken tiles replaced before the next round of bad weather hits your home.
You can then worry less about roof leaks, which if left untreated, can cause widespread roof decay. This, in turn, can considerably shorten the lifespan of your roof.
Roof leaks are also a common cause of higher indoor moisture levels. Keep in mind that excess moisture can give way to mold development in as little as 24 to 48 hours. Give these molds even more time than that, and they’ll be a lot harder to eradicate.
Mold growths from roof leaks can also cause health concerns, especially breathing issues. Those who are at even greater risk are people with asthma or allergies.
Situations That Warrant More Frequent Roof Inspections
In the US, over half of all owner-occupied homes were built before 1980. More than a third were even built before the 70s!
In Boise, Idaho alone, four in five homes are at least 30 years or older. In Meridian, this goes down to about 14% of homes. This may have you wondering, “how old is my roof?”
If your place is an older home, and you never had your roof replaced, then it’s likely as old as your house. If your home has changed hands, then you can also ask the previous owners about the age of the roof. A more viable and accurate method to determine its age is by hiring a roofing inspector.
Either way, the older your roof is, the more often you should have it inspected. It’s best that you invest in inspections more often than the twice-a-year standard. This way, you can monitor any drastic changes in your roof’s structure that may pose safety risks.
You should also consider getting your roof inspected after severe bad weather. Torrential rains or powerful storms may blow off sections of your roof, which will need to be fixed as soon as possible. Prompt repairs can prevent more heat and moisture from affecting the roof underlayment and the house.
Limiting Your DIY Roof Inspections to Visual Checks
Some 7 million fall injuries occur in US homes every year. While many of these take place at the stairs, some are also due to falls from other high places, like the roof.
This alone should make you think twice about going up the roof and inspecting it on your own. If you really want to scan your roof for damages, say after bad weather, limit it to a visual check from the edge of the roof. Avoid stepping on the roof as your weight may cause a compromised section to collapse.
The safest way to determine the health of your roof is to hire a licensed roofing contractor. These professionals have the skills and know-how to carry out proper roof inspections. They also use safety equipment, such as harnesses, to keep them away from fall injuries.
Besides, some types of roof damages are easy to miss with an untrained eye. Some of these include galvanic corrosion, worn or bent flashing, and other penetrations. It’s also impossible to detect rotting underlayment or roof membranes without proper equipment.
Make Your Roof Last for Many More Years
There you have it, your ultimate guide on roofing inspections and why you need at least two of them every year. Besides, the most reliable roof contractors offer their first inspection service for free. This should be enough incentive to get your roof checked out as soon as possible.
Ready for a comprehensive inspection to help get your roof back to its tip-top condition? Then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us now! We’ll be happy to schedule your free inspection and even throw in a free quote.
