No one really pays attention to their roof until a problem occurs. Most people live their lives going in and out of their homes with maybe an occasional glance at the roof if it happens to be in their field of view. As long as you are having your roof inspected regularly and are keeping up with maintenance, this is usually not a problem.
However, if you have an older roof and/or you seem to having lots of little problems. It may be time to consider replacing the whole thing.
To get a better picture of the current condition of your roof, you can perform a quick self-inspection noting:
1) Any sagging areas
2) Leaks or other signs of water damage
3) Dark spots or trails
4) Light seeping through the roof.
Make note of any damage you find, and head outside. Look at the exterior, noting things like damaged flashing, buckled, missing, blistering, rotting or curled shingles and algae growth.
5) Look closely at the shingles if you can, look for cracking, bald, or missing ones.
6) Look around for loose material or wear around the chimneys, pipes and vents.
7) Inspect the gutters and at the bottom of the downspouts looking for excessive shingle granules as this is a sign of wear.
8) Examine the drainage system itself, checking that gutters and downspouts are properly attached and free and clear of debris.
9) Look for signs of moisture, mold/fungi, or rot. Don’t just check damaged areas as water will travel from the damaged area to other parts of the roof causing mold, fungi, and bacteria growth within 48 hours of exposure.
10) Make sure ventilation from interior rooms such as the bathroom, kitchen, or other high humidity areas go directly outside and not into your attic.
If you find any problems during your inspection, your next step is to call a local roof contractor (In Metro Atlanta, call Atlanta Roofing Specialists at 770-419-2222) and arrange for a full inspection. Not all roof problems result in roof replacement but neglecting them may.