10 Common Issues Found During Roof Inspections and Why They’re Important

Going extended periods without a proper roof inspection can be detrimental to homes and businesses, costing them unnecessary repairs from a neglected roof and being vulnerable to leaks. However, inspectors can detect issues early on and resolve them before they can have a severe impact.

What You’ll Learn About

Read on to discover more about the process, including:

Why roof inspections are crucial
What you can expect from a roof assessment
Common problems found during a roof inspection

The Importance of Regular Roof Inspections

Annual roof inspections are essential to protect homes and businesses from the elements and other external hazards. Failing to receive one may not seem consequential, but the longer it is postponed, the more likely your roof is to suffer from a lingering problem that can negatively impact your home or facility. Costly downsides include having your interior ruined by water damage, heat escaping through unpatched holes, and more.

Committing to yearly roof inspections ensures that it remains in good condition and can keep rain, pests, and other unwanted factors out of your building.

What to Expect From a Roof Assessment

Roof inspections can occur on the interior and exterior of your facility. On the inside, inspectors check for proper ventilation, attic insulation, accumulated moisture, holes, and mold. At the same time, exterior inspections assess the surface of a roof for leak spots, damaged shingles and flashing, the condition of your chimney, and more. Results depend on various factors, such as the climate your building is in, the age of your roof, and whether or not you have experienced damage from any recent storms. Unless circumstances have been extreme, you can expect minor shingle degradation and other small problems that, while requiring repair, don’t pose major issues.

10 Issues Found During a Roof Inspection

While you may have no roof problems after an inspection, it’s not uncommon for your roof to need minor—or expensive—repairs. Here are ten of the most common issues inspectors find during roof assessments.

Roof Leaks
Leaks are the most common problem found during roof inspections. Without proper repairs, they can cause significant damage to your building, such as water stains, structural deterioration, mold, electrical short-circuits, wet insulation, and a compromised interior, which can ruin your furniture, carpet, and electronic devices.
Damaged Shingles or Materials
Damaged or missing shingles can occur for several reasons, such as storm damage, weathering, or animals crawling on your roof. Inspectors may notice ones that are cracked, melted, missing, or stripped. They can also locate flaws and needed repairs in roof types that use other materials, such as metal, modified bitumen, or commercial flat roofing (TPO, EPDM, PVC).

There are many types of roofing materials that are affordable and beneficial for commercial buildings. Learn which commercial roof is suitable for your facility.

Commercial Roof Types

Roof Structure
The integrity of your roof structure is vital, which is why inspectors check for issues like sagging, spreading rot, rust, and other factors that could lead to advanced problems. Structural issues are generally a result of a roof overstaying its welcome and likely requiring replacement. It may also be due to accumulated snow and ice adding extra weight over many months.
Damaged Chimneys
Inspectors can check your chimney—if your building has one—for signs of foundational stress due to storms, weathering, or animals that attempt to crawl into them. Depending on its condition, you may need to restore your chimney to prevent it from collapsing onto your roof and causing further damage.
Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
Your gutter should be cleaned regularly to avoid a buildup of leaves, twigs, and other debris. When accumulation occurs, it can’t correctly collect and divert water, which can result in runoff directly against your building’s foundation and pose severe issues down the line. Gutters weighed down by debris, snow, or ice—or knocked loose during harsh storms—are more likely to break away, rendering them useless. Inspectors also check for any rust that could reduce effectiveness.
Damaged Flashing
Roof flashing keeps water from entering your home, but when it’s damaged, the chances of a leak dramatically increases. Flashing can become damaged over years of use, but roof inspections can determine the state of your flashing and, if necessary, schedule repairs to keep the interior of your building dry.

What to Expect From a Roof Assessment_What to Expect From a Roof Assessment_

Hanging Limbs
If trees are too close to your home or business, it’s important to monitor their condition. Inspectors make a note of hanging limbs or leaning trunks that could pose a threat if they were to break free during a storm. If necessary, surrounding trees may need to be trimmed or removed to avoid costly damages.
Mold
If you haven’t already noticed mold on the interior of your attic or ceiling, inspectors are sure to notice it on your roof. Any on the exterior of your roof requires a thorough spraying of fungicide or another similar solution to be removed. Failing to remove mold can negatively impact the quality of your shingles and cause lingering problems for your roof.
Low-Quality Installation
You may require repairs sooner than expected depending on who installed your roof, shingles, or gutter system. A standard roof with high-grade materials can last between fifteen and thirty years with regular maintenance and care, but incorrect installation allows the elements to accelerate the degradation process. While it can be costly to replace roofing system mistakes, it’s best to do so sooner rather than later to avoid catastrophic damages.
A Lack of Maintenance
Inspectors can tell when a roof has failed to receive regular maintenance. Multiple roof problems occurring simultaneously are a clear indication, such as leaks, mold, damaged shingles, hanging gutters, and more. If you require someone that can consistently inspect your commercial or residential roof for signs of damage and prevent future issues, consider partnering with Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction.

Get Your Annual Roof Inspection With Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction

If you need a trusted and reliable roofing contractor to perform your annual inspection, look no further than Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction. Having been in the roofing industry for over a decade, we know exactly what to look for during the roof inspection process. Our team of licensed roof inspectors will examine and assess the condition of your roof and provide accurate documentation for your insurance provider if necessary. We offer various roofing services to areas across Texas, including Keller, Southlake, Lewisville, Coppell, Decatur, Colleyville, and Grapevine.

Whether you need a residential or commercial roof inspection, roof maintenance, or even a complete roof replacement, we’ve got you covered. Contact Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction today to schedule your next roof inspection and keep your building protected.

10 Common Issues Found During Roof Inspections and Why They’re Important

What You’ll Learn About

The Importance of Regular Roof Inspections

What to Expect From a Roof Assessment

10 Issues Found During a Roof Inspection

Roof Leaks

Damaged Shingles or Materials

Roof Structure

Damaged Chimneys

Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

Damaged Flashing

Hanging Limbs

Mold

Low-Quality Installation

A Lack of Maintenance

Get Your Annual Roof Inspection With Energy Efficient Roofing & Construction

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