As a homeowner, you know how much there is to do around the house and how important it is to perform your own home maintenance. Roofing maintenance may seem outside of the scope of your abilities, but fear not—by executing some simple preventative measures now, you can save yourself from costly repairs or replacements tomorrow. Part of responsible homeownership is making time for interior and exterior inspections of your residential roofing in Thousand Oaks, CA. Here are some tips to make the process more effective.
Exterior inspections
- Damaged or worn shingles: Depending on material quality and how it was installed, roofs can last anywhere from seven to 30 years or even longer. A yearly inspection should give you an idea of when a roof replacement might be needed—check for shingles that are cracked or split, brittle, faded from age, curled or missing.
- Identify areas with mold, algae and rot: Take a walk around your house, look up and survey for signs of rot on exposed wood joints and outward-facing wood along your roof. Also inspect for mold or algae growth on the roof, chimney, overhangs and gutters, which can be signs of unseen roof damage.
- Check around the chimney and vents: Unless you’re armed with the know-how, leave roofing repairs and shingle replacement to the experts. Damaged or missing materials near the chimney base and around roof vents should be evaluated by a professional with experience in residential roofing in Thousand Oaks, CA.
- Clean the gutters: To keep water from overflowing onto your roof, keep gutters clear of green debris, and test downspouts for clogs. You don’t want pooled water to cause damage under shingles or to seep down into the interior of your house. Also, granules that have fallen off shingle surfaces can roll down and gather in your rain gutters. While a small amount is normal, an excessive amount is a sign of shingle wear and tear.
Interior inspections
- Look for sagging wood beams: When water from a leaky roof finds its way inside your home, the structural integrity of wood beams is likely to be compromised. When the interior roofing structure weakens, wood sags and bends, and shingles in poor condition may be to blame.
- Look for light poking through: Patch up any spots where sunlight is peeking through to the interior. If the sun can get through, then water can, too.
- Check insulation in attic: Unsanitary and unhealthy to live with, wet or moldy attic insulation can be a sure sign of a leaky roof. Before replacing damaged home insulation with new material, locate the source of leaks or breaks coming from the roof, and discuss insulation options with your roofing contractor.
- Inspect for water damage: Be sure to check often-neglected spaces like the attic and crawlspaces for water damage and lingering odors—you may pick up on a rotten or moldy smell. While you’re up there, take note of water stains on wood beams and attic floorboards by marking these spots with a pen and getting photographic documentation.
A good, solid roof makes for a happy home. If you’re a homeowner in need of a roof inspection, repairs, replacement or installation, contact the team at Conejo Valley Roofing today—we’re your go-to company for residential roofing in Thousand Oaks, CA.