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Areas Of Your Roof To Check For Signs Of Damage So You Can Have Repairs Done Promptly

7 May 2020 by Leslie Turner

When you look over your roof for signs of damage, you probably focus on the shingles. However, other parts of your roof can be damaged and need to be repaired too. Here's a look at some other things you should inspect when you're inspecting your roof.

The Fascia Boards

The fascia boards are the boards on the bottom of your roof on the outside of your house. These boards keep rain out of your attic, and they are susceptible to rotting, especially when your gutters are clogged and water pours over the boards. When the boards rot, holes develop that insects are drawn to. Birds may come along and peck the boards to get to the insects.

Rats and squirrels can damage the fascia boards too by gnawing holes in them to get in your attic. When you're checking your roof shingles, be sure to examine the fascia boards for signs of damage. If a board has a hole, a roofer can patch the hole or replace the rotting board so your attic is safe from pests and rain.

The Deck

You won't be able to see the deck because it's underneath the asphalt shingles. However, the deck can rot since it's made of wood, so you'll want to keep an eye out for damage. One way you might detect a rotting deck is when it looks like your roof is sagging.

Another way to look for problems with the deck is to go in your attic and look at the roof from the underside. Small areas of a damaged deck can be cut out and replaced with new materials. If the entire deck is bad, it can be replaced and new shingles put on the roof.

Flashing

Flashing is the metal parts on your roof that go around your chimney and vents. Flashing is a common area for roof leaks, so check it as best as you can. Look for rusty flashing that might have holes in it and areas where the flashing looks lifted.

If you think your flashing might be worn or loose, call a roofer to check the flashing and make repairs as needed. It may be necessary to remove some shingles or repair a damaged deck if water has been leaking through the flashing for a long time.

Attic

When you can't climb on your roof, checking the attic is the next best thing. You'll want to look for signs of water damage in the attic that indicate there's a leak in the roof.

If mold is present, wood is rotted, or insulation is wet and compressed, then water has probably been leaking in the attic and you'll need to call a roofer to find the leak and make the necessary roofing repairs so the water damage stops.

Gutters

If you can check the inside of the gutter troughs, look for asphalt shingle granules. Your roof loses granules slowly over its life, but when you suddenly see a lot of granules in your gutter troughs, that could be a sign of a roof that's starting to wear down. You may want to call a roofer to check the situation.

If the granule loss is due to the age of your roof, it may be time to replace the shingles. If granule loss is in an isolated area, the damage might be caused by tree branches scraping your roof, a recent storm, or even animal damage. In that case, the roof repair contractor might be able to make spot repairs by swapping out the damaged shingles for new ones.

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