Roofing damage may affect your entire home and lead to extensive repair costs. An accurate roof inspection should look at the outside and inside of your home.
What should you be looking at on the outside of the roof?
There are many obvious and some less obvious tell-tale signs of risky roof damage. First, take a look at the roof nails and shingles. Missing or loose shingles can create problems, as well as shingles that may be curled, blistered, split or covered in dark spots. Loose and exposed nails indicate shingles may become loose.
Rusty or corroded metal flashing in valleys, plumbing vents or near chimneys should also be addressed. You may need to remove leaves, twigs and other debris to properly inspect these areas. Check for blisters or depressions in other spots; both can be treated with roofing cement to prevent additional damage (pop roof blisters with a knife before coating with cement).
What should you be looking at inside your home?
The first place you should look inside your home for roofing damage is the attic. Sagging decking between rafters signify that it needs to be replaced. Depending on what type of roof you have, outside light coming in from outside may also indicate a potential roofing issue, along with other signs of leaks like dark spots and water stains.
Is you find signs of damage, it is recommended to get it fixed promptly. Come spring, make sure your roof is in good shape!
Courtesy of American Association of Professional Inspectors, Inc.
http://www.dallashomeinspections.com/html/roof_evaluations.html
