Humidity and possible leak and mold build-up are a real challenge in cloudy Lexington, KY.
The short winters only worsen the problem, as the entire roof from the shingles to the roof decking suffer from the freeze-thaw cycle.
With regular roof inspection, you can catch potential leaks, cracks, or underlayment tears before they widen and threaten your home’s structure.
You can locate mold, catch elusive water stains, and preventatively act against potential roofing issues in the future.
You may need roof inspection after a storm, or simply for maintenance.
Whatever it is for, here are 3 things to expect from your roof inspection. If these expectations are not met, you may want to reconsider your roofer.
Key Takeaways
- Roof inspections will always be worth the time and money spent on them when it comes to savings and future convenience
- Persistent clouds and rains as well as four-season weather can threaten your roof with mold and mildew
- Your roof inspector should inspect the inside of your home as well, and give a professional opinion even on gutters and underlayment.
- A written roof inspection report is the most valuable outcome of a roof inspection, especially for insurance
- Keep up the roof inspections and you’ll have a home that reaches its full lifespan
1. Expect A Thorough Roof Inspection By A Contractor Who Knows the Lexington, KY Needs
You may only be opting for maintenance roof inspections once a year (the minimum recommended rhythm). In that case, if 364 days minimum will pass before your next inspection, you need it to tell you everything you need to know to make roofing decisions.
Lexington, KY and the often pervasive humidity require you to take as much care as you can during an inspection.
What Should Your Roof Inspection Cover?
What do you want to see in your roof inspection report? A lot more than a general observation on the state of the roof from the sidewalk.
Here’s what it should include:
- Any signs of balding or damaged shingles
- Any signs of leaks or mold especially affecting the walls or home structure
- Any signs that your gutter system is working inefficiently
- Any signs that your attic’s insulation or ventilation is malfunctioning
Make sure you get all the details to make the right decision for your Lexington, KY home.
What Happens If You Don’t Get A Roof Inspection Regularly?
Small issues escalate into big issues, often without you noticing. Rot starts small, mold starts behind furniture, and humidity affects drywall from the inside until sagging and stains begin.
The more you wait, the more it worsens.
This is especially painful when it comes to paying roof repair bills. Proving that you have regular roof inspections will help you claim for roof repairs. You also avoid any suggestions of negligence that may downgrade or invalidate your claim.
Your savings in energy will also speak for themselves.
Problems with ventilation, insulation, or leaks let warmth out in the winter and heat out in the summer. Roof inspections can feel over-the-top when there is nothing obviously wrong, but you save so much in the long run.
2. Expect To Benefit From A Professional Roof Inspection Rather Than A DIY
A DIY roof inspection may be top of mind when the time comes to hire a professional.
It is especially tempting when you think of the cash-out and then wonder, “What’s the harm if I do it myself?”
In Lexington, KY, roof inspections are more necessary than in some other areas. Cloudy days mean humidity stays in the air for longer.
During the winter, cold can lead to condensation that remains when there is too much persistent moisture in the air.
When it comes to mold and moisture, you can’t see any of the damage from the ground.
The shingles might be intact, no balding areas, no cracks. There may be no obvious water stains or leaks for a while.
By the time you realize you need repairs, the cost of your DIY roof inspection might be higher than it would have been to hire a professional.
When you have a professional, local roofing contractor with experience, they know what to look for according to the climate and the normal issues that come with living in the area.
They know the signs of deeper issues, and they can project how lack of repairs may affect your home in the long run.
A roof that reaches its full lifespan is a roof you can depend on for decades.
Why Should You Avoid A DIY Roof Inspection In Lexington, KY?
Roof inspections do not feel like unnecessary expenses once you have your reports back. You just might find yourself thinking, “What would have happened if we didn’t catch that?”
Here are some things a professional might catch that a DIY inspection just might not.
- Freeze-thaw cycles may have loosened shingle alignment, weakened the underlayment, or caused moisture build-up in the attic.
- Sagging may have begun in the decking and affected the gutter system.
- Hail is not common in Lexington but in the case that you have had some without visible damage, a local contractor can see if there was any underlying damage.
- Without an obvious water stain, we don’t always catch the moisture build-up in the roof. A professional knows what to look for and how to do early repairs so it does not spread.
Your roof should last you at least 10 years. In the long run, it’s worth more when it reaches its full lifespan.
3. Expect Everything You Need In A Detailed Roof Inspection Report
When you need to make future decisions about your roof, such as maybe a roof replacement in preparation for reselling, your roof inspection report will have everything you need. Rather than your first step being a roof inspection, you can make important decisions earlier.
If you are planning a roofing material upgrade, or to improve your home in line with Lexington’s climate the detailed report helps you make practical decisions quicker.
When you need to claim for repairs and replacement later on, the report confirms you were not negligent in roof maintenance.
What Do You Need To See In Your Roof Inspection Report?
An inspection report should be a big picture of the current state of your roof, both the good and the bad. There should be additional small details that they want to draw your attention to, and of course anything in need of urgent repair.
What do you need to see or ask for in your roof inspection report?
- Clear documentation. If anything needs to be checked or fixed in your roof, you will want clear photographs of the damage and its location. This will help you later on especially if you are claiming for damage done later than the inspection, such as storm damage.
- Observations related to the weather. Your roofer should be able to make additional recommendations in the event of weather-related damage or weaknesses in your roof.
- Proposed solutions to any challenges. A professional roofer should be able to propose repairs and recommendations according to what is pointed out. They should also be able to project possible outcomes of not doing the repairs, and multiple approaches to solving the problem.
The more comprehensive the report, the more useful it is for you.
Is It Time For Your Roof Inspection? Call Barrier Roofs Today
You may have already had your roof inspection done, but there are times you may need to get an emergency inspection in. At Barrier Roofs, we know the Lexington, KY climate and how to make your home moisture-proof. We know how to keep you and your belongings safe. Our inspection reports give you every detail you need to make cost-efficient and long-term decisions for your roof and home.
Contact us today and let us take care of the rest.
