Your home’s roof is one of its most important components, and if it’s damaged in any way, it could impact the rest of your house. Therefore, it’s critical to have it inspected on a regular basis to ensure that problems are caught before they get worse. Let’s take a closer look at whether you should have an inspection done in the winter or the spring months and the possible pros and cons of either choice.

Why Schedule a Winter Roof Inspection?

Perhaps the best reason to have your roof inspected during the winter season is that it’s a slower time of year. Therefore, you’re more likely to be able to schedule service promptly.

This can be critical if you think your roof has incurred shingle damage, needs new gutters, or has other issues that must be addressed quickly. Although the Alpha area doesn’t necessarily see a lot of snow, temperatures commonly approach the freezing point during the day and at night.

Therefore, shingles can expand and contract as temperatures warm and cool throughout the day. If there are ventilation issues in the attic, warm attic air can contact the cooler roof, which can cause moisture damage in addition to the expansion and contraction of shingles and other components.

If significant damage is detected, you can have your roof repaired or replaced before it gets covered in snow or ice. If minor issues are detected, you can start planning for a roof repair or replacement project in the spring months.

We may also be able to point out issues with your gutter or downspout that should be fixed to avoid damage to your home during winter. For instance, clearing out leaves or other debris can prevent a clog that might cause an ice dam to form. A gutter that is not securely attached can be pulled off of your house if heavy icicles form.

Clearing out gutters and downspouts also prevents rain from potentially flowing back toward your property rather than away from it. We may also let you know if the gutters or downspouts are damaged, pulling away from the house or otherwise need to be fixed to provide the best possible drainage.

Why Schedule a Spring Roof Inspection?

Scheduling a spring roof inspection may be ideal because you won’t have to contend with cold weather or shorter days. Ultimately, there is less chance of inclement weather delaying your appointment or making it harder to walk on your roof safely. Many roofing companies won’t go on an icy roof unless there is an emergency. They don’t want to put their employees at risk unnecessarily.

However, if you schedule an appointment in the spring, there may be a longer lead time. It may be a good compromise to contact a roofing company during the late winter months once the thaws begin but before the spring rush begins.

If serious issues are found with your roof, it may be easier to do the necessary work in the spring rather than during the winter months. This is also because you won’t have to worry about cold temperatures, ice, or shorter days delaying the project.

Finally, scheduling an inspection during the spring months may be ideal because you can assess its condition after the harsh winter season. Ultimately, you may get a more accurate picture of its condition and better understand what needs to be done to ensure it’s capable of protecting your home.

Feel Free to Schedule Multiple Inspections

While it’s recommended that you have at least one roof inspection per year, there’s nothing wrong with having two. This may be a good idea if your roof is older or if you see that the roof has missing shingles or other obvious issues.

Having an inspection during the winter can help ensure that it can get through the next few months without issue. The inspection in the spring can then determine if you need to have work done now or if you can wait until you have enough money to do the job correctly.

You may also decide to make repairs during the winter season to stabilize your roof’s condition before reassessing it during the spring season. This can be another way to ensure your home is in good enough condition until you have the money to dedicate toward a complete replacement.

What Happens During a Roof Inspection?

A roof inspection has several steps that help you get a more accurate picture of its condition. First, one of our team members will walk the roof to look for signs of shingle damage, such as the loss of granules, improper nailing, hail, or lightning strikes.

We can also inspect any exposed areas for signs of decking or underlayment damage. If shingles are loose or missing, they can leave other layers of the roof vulnerable to water damage and pest, mold, or mildew issues.

Our team will also examine the attic and other interior spaces for signs of a leak or other unseen problems. Signs of a leak include mold or the smell of mold in walls, stains on ceilings or walls, and sagging where water has collected.

What Happens After a Roof Inspection?

After your roof is inspected, we’ll provide you with a report of everything we found. If any problems need to be fixed, we’ll recommend how you should proceed. Of course, you’re under no obligation to buy anything or have anything done to your home simply because we have looked at the roof.

What to Consider if Work Needs to Be Done

If it’s determined that your roof has moderate or severe damage, you’ll need to decide whether to repair the damage or replace the entire structure. Typically, a shingle roof will last up to 20 years, so repairs may be best if your roof was installed in the last few years. If the company doing the inspection also did the installation, they will know if the repairs are still guaranteed under their labor and workmanship warranty.

Repairs may also be advisable if the damage is localized to a specific roof area. For instance, if only a few shingles are missing or only a small area has rotted decking, you may be able to get away with fixing the impacted area.

However, if your roof was installed more than 20 years ago or the damage is widespread, you’ll likely need to replace it. It may also be necessary to replace a roof that was not correctly installed, as most of the shingles may be defective even if they are relatively young. After an inspection, we can give you an idea of whether your roof will last decades more or if you should begin saving for a roof replacement.

In addition to roofing services, our team can also help with any siding or gutter problems to protect your home from the elements throughout the year. If you need a roof inspection, call the team at Warren Thompson & Son Roofing & Siding today.

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