Roof Inspection in Charlotte, NC

Locating the Roof Leak Source
Locating the source of leak in an asphalt-shingled roof can be quite difficult. Damaged or worn flashing can provide an opportunity for water to begin seeping into your home. Typical problem spots include vents, pipe collars, broken or missing shingles, and nail punctures. You can check examine your attic for wet spots and wood rot. Nails should not show signs of rust. If they do, you have a clear sign of moisture and water entry. Rotten wood is a sign of a more serious roofing concern. It’s always best to leave roof walking to professionals, but you can do a less thorough roof exam from the ground by using binoculars.

Time to replace my roof
Most 3-tab shingle roofs have an anticipated life of 20-25 years. In the Charlotte, NC climate, most of these roofs near the end of their life about 5 years sooner. The dramatic weather changes, humidity, and frequent rain provide additional wear to roofing materials. Architectural shingles have a lifespan ranging from 30-50 years. The best way to tell the difference between these shingles is that architectural shingles have a textured look, and 3-tab shingles lay flat.

Look for Missing shingles
A storm can cause shingles and pieces of shingles to fall off the roof, but this problem can usually easily be fixed. If a roof section is missing or many tabs or entire shingles are missing, this is likely attributed to an aged or worn roof. Sometimes, however, shingles may fall because of an error in installation.

Assessing "Roof Intrusions" (Pipes, skylights, etc.)
These roof intrusions are natural places for leaks to occur.The most prominent locations for leaks are intrusions. Roof cement may provide a temporary fix for leaks around skylights, vents, valleys, pipes, and other intrusion. A more permanent solution may require replacing pipe collars and vents, or re-flashing skylights.

Flashing
Remember to inspect the flashing (especially near chimney walls, valleys, and dormers) and identify any cracks, worn shingles or cement, nails that are loose and other loose flashing. Oftentimes, the leaks near flashing are tough to find and repair.

Roof Fungus and Debris
Detergent and gently pressurized water can easily remove any green mold, mildew, and fungus on the roof. Still, washing a roof is never a smart option. This voids most manufacturer warranties and washes away your shingle's granules. However, a routine roof and gutter cleaning can lengthen the life of your roof. A routine cleaning should be as simple as having someone take a leaf blower to gently remove small sticks and leaves from collecting in your roof and gutters. When leaves and sticks collect in bulk, they will hold water and make roof leaks more likely.