I tell people that only a trained professional roofer can detect all the different kinds of roof damage. While that’s true, a homeowner who really wants to can learn to spot many kinds of damage himself (or herself). Some people will not call a roofing company to do an inspection until they see some damage for themselves (which I don’t recommend!) so I’ll explain how to detect some problems that are more easily visible.
One of the many reasons I don’t recommend inspecting your own roof is that there are not a lot of people who are comfortable up on a ladder! Most of the residential roofs in the Saint Louis area are gabled and this presents a real challenge. There may be flat roofs on some apartment or commercial buildings but I’m going to talk about the typical gabled roof.
Damage from Hail, Storms and Aging
We all know that the St. Louis weather can wreak havoc on a roof – especially hail. If your home has been through a hailstorm, look at any metal components like flashing or vents and see if there are dents.
The ridge cap of your roof is flat and will not deflect the force of hailstones. It may show more dents than shingles.
Look at the shingles themselves. If they are asphalt shingles, they may show signs of wear around the edges. Look carefully at many of the shingles to see if the dark substrate below the granules is missing. Pass your hand over the shingle lightly to see if you can feel any dents in the surface that would not be too noticeable just by looking.
Are there any cracked shingles you can see? Hail can also create this kind of damage.
Of course, if there are any missing shingles or shingles hanging from one corner, this kind of damage is obvious.
Does everything seem tightly connected? Are all the flashings secure? Are the gutters clean?
If you can get into your attic, take a flashlight and look for dark spots or streaks that indicate water damage. Check the inside of the roof to make sure that there are no sags.
By standing on the ground, you can usually tell if all gutters and rain spouts are in place and look secure.
Other Types of Roofs
We don’t have many tile roofs in the Saint Louis area, but if you have one, don’t walk on it! You can break the tiles and then you DO need a roofer.
If you have a cedar roof, the shingles may split or crack when they need replacement.
The Obvious Solution
The better answer is to let Storm Solutions Roofing come out and check your roof for age, hail or water damage. Although our office is in Ballwin, we will provide a free written estimate for any repairs you need no matter where you live in St. Louis and you don’t have to climb up on a ladder to get it!
More good news: If you have storm damage and you need repair or a whole new roof, we know all the ins and outs of insurance claims. That’s our specialty – other than roofing itself. We can make the process of filing a claim much more painless. After all, we know what insurance companies are looking for and we talk their language. That makes us the best roofer in St. Louis because we can handle it all.
We’re sort of a one-stop solution to the whole roofing situation. Let us put your mind at ease with a free inspection. Call us at (314) 825-7663 to schedule your free inspection today.
