In case you’re deciding to purchase a new home soon and have some questions relating to the inspection of roofs, then you’ve arrived at the correct place because we are going to answer all of your roof-related inspection questions.
Roofs are not just barriers that protect your home from external weathering elements. They also act as an essential component of your home that makes your home look beautiful and keeps the interior insulated. However, you must remember that most roof systems are built out of complex procedures & materials, which is why it’s vital to protect them properly.
What Are Some Of The Common Roof Types?
Professional home inspector in Evanston points out that there can be numerous roof types and some of the common ones include:
- Hip Roof
- Mansard Roof
- Flat Roof
- Gambrel Roof
- Saltbox Roof
There will be times when you’ll find rooftops that integrate the style of two separate types into one. Moreover, you’ll find the types of roof changing depending upon the place of stay as well as the weather. For instance, if you’re living in an area that experiences constant snowfall & rain, then the slope of the roof will be steeper to shrug off the incoming raindrops and snow. On the other hand, if the weather is nice and sunny, with minimal snow & rain, then flat roofs will do great.
How Is A Roof System Built?
A typical roof system inbuilt via the below-mentioned set of procedures:
- Firstly, the framework of the roof is created, which will help in supporting the roofing materials. The framework is ensured that it’s extremely strong & stable, otherwise, the whole house structure will suffer negative consequences.
- Once the framework has been created, the sheathing of the roof is done. Generally, plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is used for the same.
- After the sheathing is created, waterproof materials are installed above it.
- After completion of the aforementioned process, roofing materials such as shingles or tiles are installed. Sometimes, even metal panels are also utilised.
What Are Some Of The Common Roof Defects?
There can be multiple types of roof defects and they are listed as follows:
- Roof installation being improper.
- Roof repairs are not done correctly.
- Roof flashing is done poorly or installed improperly.
- Non-use of roof sealants, leading to leaks.
- Any possible damage from storms or the impact of snow and rainfall.
- Missing or exposed nails.
- A buildup of roof debris.
- The underlayment of the roof getting exposed.
There can also be moments when due to poor insulation & ventilation in the roof attic, ice dams or icicles are caused. Thus, at the end of the heyday, it’s always a safer option to hire a home inspector to perform the inspection procedure.
How Can You Prevent Roof Defects?
Most of the roof defects can be avoided by following the below-mentioned methods:
- As a responsible homeowner, you have to inspect your roof and replace any missing or broken shingles and tiles. Tiles and shingles are roofing materials and they protect the waterproof layer of your roof. If the waterproof layer deteriorates over time, then your roof can face serious water problems.
- Regularly check the seals especially around the roof protrusions, so that water doesn’t seep through them. If you see damaged seals, then it’s vital to get in touch with a roofing contractor to fix the same.
- Ensure that you keep your roof always clean and free from all kinds of debris. Roof debris is notorious for blocking roof gutters, which can affect the roof drainage system. If the roof drainage system is blocked, then the whole roof will be damaged due to water-lodging.
