If you are worried about the condition of the roofing on your home, it is time to inspect your roof. When you are doing your own roof inspection, you want to make sure that you are safe, as well as know the signs of damage you are looking for. The following guide to safe roof inspections will help you safely locate the damage that needs to be repaired on your roof:
- Get the Right Roof Safety Gear—When it comes to getting the right gear to inspect your roof, it can often be confusing. There is specially designed safety gear that is approved for roofs and construction, which includes:
- Roofing harness
- Soft-soled work boots or shoes
- Anchoring system for ropes
- OSHA approved cords or ropes for construction
- The right sized extension ladder (not a step ladder)
This is the safety gear that you want to make sure you have before doing an inspection, repairs, maintenance, or improvements on the roof of your home. In addition, it is a good idea to wear long clothing and a sturdy pair of work gloves.
- Proper Use of Extension Ladders and Fall Protection Systems—Before you can get on your roof to start looking for damage, you need to set up the ladder and harness. First, make sure to set the extension ladder correctly—with a couple of rungs above the roof's edge. After you set the ladder up, you will need to secure the anchor system and rope that you are going to be connecting to the harness. You should only have enough rope to barely reach the edge of the roof and need to connect your harness as soon as you are on the roof slope.
- The Damage That You Are Looking For—Now, you are safely connected to the harness and need to start inspecting the surface of your roof for signs of roof damage. Some of the common damage that will be visible and require repairs includes:
- Torn shingles due to wind damage
- Curling and wear due to wear
- Pitting due to severe weather and hail
- Punctures from nails
Look closely when inspecting the surface of shingles to spot these problems. In addition to the damage to the shingles, you will also want to inspect vents, boots, and flashing. If you see problems with damage to some of these other materials on your roof, they are also going to need roof repairs.
Make sure you stay safe when doing a roof inspection, as well as know the signs of damage that needs to be repaired. If you need help with fixing damage that you have found during your roof inspection, learn more by contacting a roof repair service for help.
The strong roof is one that has been carefully selected for your home, according to the local climate and your home's structure. The strong roof is one that you've taken the time to maintain, season after season. It's a roof that is protected by good insulation and a good warranty. Do you have a strong roof? As you check out the articles on this website, you'll come to a better understanding of what it means to have a strong roof and what you can do to keep your roof strong. We hope you enjoy reading these articles we've collected for readers like you.