The do it yourself audit

Stay Safe - Stay Off your ladder and off the roof. Inspect your roof with binoculars for possible problems or tree-related damage after a storm. You can find most problems from the safety of you yard or a trip to the attic. Here is a check list that will help you identify problems.

A Two Part DIY Roofing Audit

On a Sunny Day

Use a pair of binoculars (or stand on a ladder at roof level if you are accustom to ladders and have someone holding the ladder for you as a precaution). Look at the appearance of your roof from every side. In particular, look for the following indicators of potential roof problems:

Are there tree branches making contact with your shingles? Tree branches will loosen your shingles, but please do not DIY use a qualified tree professional – stay off the roof!
Are there any blistered, curled, or split shingles? If there are only a few you’re in luck, it’s likely only a repair job. However, if the general appearance is a roof full of blistered, curled, or split shingles, you may need to re-roof.
Are there loose or missing shingles or tiles? Again, number and severity will dictate whether a repair or re-roofing is needed.
Do you see any exposed nails? Exposed nails and other fasteners are a source of leaks.
If your roof covering composition (asphalt) shingles check for dark patches, which indicate the granular coating has worn away.
Examine your rain gutters for significant accumulation of granules. Small amounts granule deposits is normal. However, a lot combined with dark patches on your shingles, is a sign of older roof.
Is the roof surface straight? Does there appear to be any sagging along the ridges or in the middle of the roof?
Check to see if any shingles have broken or have worked loose where the ridges of the roof meet the hips. .
Any rusty metal or displaced shingles along the valley are signs of roof weaknesses.
Inspect the flashing around plumbing vents and chimneys. Loose shingles or rusty, loose flashing is a sign of trouble.
Step flashing around chimneys should be embedded in the mortar between bricks. If the flashing is loose or unseated, call a roofer.
Flashing should be firmly in place where a vertical side of the house meets the roof, such as along dormer walls. If it is not you have a potential for leaks.
Inspect your gutters for sagging and any signs of leaks between sections. Are your downspouts securely in place and directing water away from the foundation of the house?

On a Rainy Day

On a rainy day or after a hard rain go up to the attic and have a good look around, be sure you have a good source of light.

Check the attic for signs of leaks. Stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material could indicate water trails.
Examine the attic for water signs around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights, and valleys.
When you find a dark spot see if it is wet or just an old stain.
Push a sharp screwdriver or pick into the wood. Soft spots are a sign of rot.
If the wood is stained yet dry and firm after a hard rain it may be an old leak that has been repaired.
Look up through the roof for any sources of light even small pinpoints.
Shake roofs in particular may show daylight during the summer months, but the wood will swell shut again with the first rains.
Look for sagging sheathing between rafters; sagging is a sign of an old roof that very likely needs repair.
Sagging or cracked rafters will definitely require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.

Found a Problem?

If you see a possible problem the next step is to call a qualified roofer. Contact Doucet Roofing for a Free Professional Audit. Simply pick up the phone and call 781. 608. 4816 or email us. Why lose sleep over a problem that you can fix now and save money by avoiding a larger repair later

Jim Doucet Roofing and Remodeling Ltd
781-608-4816
Serving Wolbrun
and surrounding area

The do it yourself audit

A Two Part DIY Roofing Audit

Are there any blistered, curled, or split shingles? If there are only a few you’re in luck, it’s likely only a repair job. However, if the general appearance is a roof full of blistered, curled, or split shingles, you may need to re-roof.

Are there loose or missing shingles or tiles? Again, number and severity will dictate whether a repair or re-roofing is needed.

Do you see any exposed nails? Exposed nails and other fasteners are a source of leaks.

If your roof covering composition (asphalt) shingles check for dark patches, which indicate the granular coating has worn away.

Examine your rain gutters for significant accumulation of granules. Small amounts granule deposits is normal. However, a lot combined with dark patches on your shingles, is a sign of older roof.

Is the roof surface straight? Does there appear to be any sagging along the ridges or in the middle of the roof?

Check to see if any shingles have broken or have worked loose where the ridges of the roof meet the hips. .

Any rusty metal or displaced shingles along the valley are signs of roof weaknesses.

Inspect the flashing around plumbing vents and chimneys. Loose shingles or rusty, loose flashing is a sign of trouble.

Step flashing around chimneys should be embedded in the mortar between bricks. If the flashing is loose or unseated, call a roofer.

Flashing should be firmly in place where a vertical side of the house meets the roof, such as along dormer walls. If it is not you have a potential for leaks.

Inspect your gutters for sagging and any signs of leaks between sections. Are your downspouts securely in place and directing water away from the foundation of the house?

On a Rainy Day

Check the attic for signs of leaks. Stains on the rafters or the underside of the roof decking material could indicate water trails.

Examine the attic for water signs around plumbing vent pipes and along chimneys, skylights, and valleys.

When you find a dark spot see if it is wet or just an old stain.

Push a sharp screwdriver or pick into the wood. Soft spots are a sign of rot.

If the wood is stained yet dry and firm after a hard rain it may be an old leak that has been repaired.

Look up through the roof for any sources of light even small pinpoints.

Shake roofs in particular may show daylight during the summer months, but the wood will swell shut again with the first rains.

Look for sagging sheathing between rafters; sagging is a sign of an old roof that very likely needs repair.

Sagging or cracked rafters will definitely require repair or replacement as part of a new roof installation.

Found a Problem?