by Martie Lownsberry

Created on: April 29, 2009

One of the most costly home repairs is replacing the roof of your home. For that reason it is a good idea to inspect your roof for damage at least twice a year. Check it in late summer or early fall, and again in the spring. Take your time and do a through check. The time you invest now in inspecting your roof may save you both time and money later.

Start with the inside of your house. While it is easy to notice roof damage when it reaches the point when the rain is leaking onto your kitchen floor, there are other less noticeable signs of roof damage, that you can spot form the inside of your home.

Check around all ceilings and walls for signs of dampness or mildew. running your hand around the sides of the ceiling to see that all feels dry may save you thousands of dollars later on. Don't just check the rooms themselves, but check the insides of closets and built in cupboards. Stand back and take a good look at your walls. Is there any bowing out that might indicate water is getting in between the outside and inside walls?

If you have one go up into the attic. Check the floors for any sign of water, take a look at things stored there to see if any moisture has gotten to them. Check the beams, look for dark spots, might be signs of mold. Run your hands over the beams to see if they are dry to the touch. If possible check the insulation for any signs of dampness.

Once you check the inside of your house for damage turn your attention to the outside of the house. Stand back and just gaze at your roof. Does the roof seem straight? Are there any sagging beams? Are there any raised up, curled up or broken shingles? If all looks well from ground level then do a closer inspection.

Get a ladder. Survey the roof from various points around the house. Try to walk on your shingles any more than necessary but make sure you can get a good look at the uppermost portion of the roof as well as the lower portion. Take a good look at the flashing around the chimney and air ducts. Are they in good shape? Do they look bent or are there nails coming out?

If there are any sign of damage, you might want to call for a professional inspection of your roof. Find out what needs repaired and do it as soon as possible to avoid more damage later. If all looks well, then you can rest assured that the roof over your head is a sound one. Knowing this will give you many peaceful night sleep.

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