Shingle Roof Inspection Guide
Common issues to keep an eye out for on your roof.
Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against the elements.
Even so, we all take our roofs for granted. Who spends their day thinking about their roof? No one… until it starts leaking, of course.
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends a self inspection twice a year along with a professional inspection once per year. Below, we’ve listed several common issues you can check today that show your roof might be in trouble.
If your roof is already leaking or if you’re in need of a professional inspection, give us a call or click the button below to schedule an appointment.
What issues should I look out for on my roof?
There are several things you should look out for that may cause damage to your roof or signal the start of a larger problem:
Common issues with pitched roofs:
Missing or cracked shingles can let water seep under adjacent shingles and into your attic.
An improperly vented roof can trap moisture in your attic, causing mold, mildew, and increased energy costs
In the winter, ice dams can form on the edge of your roof near gutters. As ice and snow melt, water pools behind the ice dam, creeps under your shingles, and leaks into your attic.
Tree branches can rub against your roof, which wear away the protective surface of shingles and clog your gutters with leaves
Roofing material can be installed incorrectly, leading to an increased chance of leaks
How will I know if my roof should be replaced?
When roof replacement or restoration is overdue, it’s common to see aging or damaged roofing material. Here are several signs you can check for that show your roof should be replaced right away:
Cracked or missing shingles
These expose the roofing membrane underneath the shingle. That membrane is designed to be covered with shingles and may become damaged and leak when exposed.
Compare & contrast
Compare the photo on the left with the photo above. The photo on the left shows shingles that are worn and cracked. The photo above is one of our recent jobs and shows what your roof should look like: straight shingle lines in a fairly consistent pattern, with no dark spots or apparent damage.
Clogged drain spouts, gutter sediment or debris
This gutter is full of granules that have worn off of the shingles. These granules protect your shingles from UV rays, when they’ve worn off you may see dark patches or a “dirty” look to your roof. This does not mean that your shingles are damaged, but indicates that the roof is older and may be in need of a more thorough inspection.
Moss, plant growth, or branches overhanging your roof
Moss, leaves, dirt, and plant matter can clog your gutters and downspouts. If water backs up in your gutters, it can sit against the wood your gutter is attached to, This can cause the fascia to rot or weaken, and water overflowing the inside edge may damage your home’s siding.
Damaged or missing flashing around chimneys
Chimneys should be surrounded by metal flashing that is overlaid with shingles to keep it water tight. This can pull away from the chimney over time, letting water run into your home from the gap in between the flashing and the chimney wall. About 80% of the chimney flashings we inspect are not properly connected!
Damaged flashing around pipes, vents, and roof ingresses
Flashing is a rubber seal around pipes that should be replaced when you get a new roof. Over time this rubber starts to crack as you see above. A hole like this might not seem like a big deal at first glance, but when it’s letting water in for months or years it can cause major damage such as wood rot or mold in your attic.
You’ll also want to look out for:
Roof patches. Patches show that the underlying problem - an aging and damaged roof- has not been addressed.
Missing, cracked, or curling shingles. These are easy to see from outside and are a sure sign of roof damage.
Light coming through the roof into the attic - this is an obvious sign that your roof’s integrity has already been compromised.
Dripping water in the attic. If there’s enough water to drip, it is unlikely that it is from moisture condensation from inside.
Black spots or water marks on wood inside the attic. This may be mold or mildew caused by moisture in your attic.
High moisture or high temperatures in your attic can point to inadequate roofing ventilation.
A high energy bill. Inadequate roofing ventilation can cause your heating and cooling system to work harder and use more electricity.
If you’ve noticed any of these problems, it may be time to replace your roof.
So I might need a new roof… how should I pick a roofing professional to replace my roof?
Check out what their customers are saying about them.
The worst roofing contractors run fly-by-night operations and travel around the country knocking on doors, pressuring people into paying for work they don’t need. Others are unprofessional and won’t return your calls, don’t provide thorough quotes, and don’t guide you through the process. Check their reviews on Google and sites like Houzz to see if there are any red flags you should be worried about.
The fact that companies like that exist is why we started Rolling Hills Roofing. We believe that homeowners in the Moscow / Pullman area deserve better. We aim to make every roofing job easy for homeowners with a thorough and no-pressure inspection of your roof, and thoughtful and ethical guidance on what is best for you personally.
Make sure they are registered and insured.
If an accident happens on your property and a roofing company doesn’t have the proper insurance, you would be held liable for the cost of medical bills and damages. Your roofer should be able to provide a copy of their license and will be upfront about their registration and any certifications they hold..
Rolling Hills Roofing is fully licensed and insured in Idaho and Washington, As a GAF Certified Contractor we’re trained with up to date industry information on the best way to restore or replace your roof. You can rest easy knowing that the job will be done quickly and safely by qualified professionals.
Make sure they offer an extensive warranty on their work.
If your roof leaks or something goes wrong in a few years, your roofing company should come out and fix the issue free of charge.
We offer a 50 year warranty on all of our asphalt shingle roofs. We use high quality GAF shingles with extra nails holding down each shingle to gain a warranty against damage from high winds, something that is necessary here on the Palouse. As soon as we work on a roof, we “own it” and hold ourselves responsible for the quality of our work. If any issues arise with your new roof, we will come out and make things right.
Hi, I’m Nethaniel, owner of Rolling Hills Roofing.
After over a decade working as a General Contractor, I was so sick of working with terrible roofing companies that I started my own.
We will provide amazing service and make your roof repair or restoration as stress-free and straightforward as possible. We promise to:
Answer the phone
Call you back if you leave a message
Make it simple to schedule an appointment
Educate you on what is best for your situation
Make a roof easy to afford with financing options
Communicate respectfully and cheerfully throughout the project
Install a high-quality roofing system on your home or business
Provide a rock-solid warranty on any of our work: 10 to 15 years on our flat roofs.
If you have any questions at all about the health of your roof, give me a call at (208) 301-6173 or click the link below to send me an email.
“Rolling Hills Roofing is a great local company who made our roofing project easy and stress-free from start to finish. Their bid was affordable, simple to understand, and came in right on the money. They got the job done in less time than we expected, and left everything neat as a pin. Would highly recommend to anyone with a roofing project in and around the Palouse.”
David Williams, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What should I do next?
We want to help you with a thorough inspection of your roof so you can feel safe and comfortable knowing your roof is leak free. It’s a quick and easy way to know that you won’t have to worry about the safety of your home.
Schedule a consultation today - it's easy and free!
We’ll complete a thorough inspection of your roof and will provide detailed and honest feedback on what we find.
We'll educate and guide you to make the smartest, most cost-effective decision for your personal situation.
We'll complete the job - with quality and efficiency, guaranteed. Our asphalt shingle roofs come with a 50 year warranty so you can feel safe in your home for decades to come.
What else can I do to protect my home from water damage?
Learn more about how to care about your roof and home
Talk with us about your specific situation
PS. We’re glad that you care about your home and would consider working with us. If you’re not sure if your home really needs a new roof, please give us a call for a quick talk about your situation. If money is an issue, we offer financing and will work to make sure keeping your home safe won’t break the bank.
We never use high pressure sales tactics and aim to be the most honest and ethical roofing company out there. That means helping you make a smart decision for your situation - even if it means you won’t need a new roof.
Our phone number is (208) 301-6173. We hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Rolling Hills Roofing
“We Make Roofing Easy”"