Give Your Roof a Checkup

22 05 2008

Damage to or deterioration of a home’s roof can be difficult to spot from ground level, so homeowners should conduct a simple roof checkup twice a year, according to the National Roofing Contractors Association, located in Rosemont, Ill. Using a ladder that extends at least three feet beyond the gutter (for safety reasons), homeowners should look for the following signs that a roof might need repair or replacement:

• Shingles that are buckling, curling or blistering, which can indicate the end of their life expectancy
• Loose material or wear around chimneys and penetrations for pipes, vents and the like
• Excessive amounts of shingle granules in the gutters, which can indicate worn shingles that are past their effectiveness in protecting the roof.

In addition, check the inside of your home, including interior walls and ceilings, for water damage. The Association also suggests cleaning gutters and downspouts once or twice a year, since clogged gutters can overflow and damage fascia boards on the roof, and cause structural damage to the foundation over time. For more information or to request a free copy of the Association’s Roof Checkup Guide, visit www.ncra.net or call 847-299-9070.