Be Prepared for April Showers; HomeTeam's Local Home Inspector Offers Tips on Understanding the Life of Your Roof

MILFORD, Ohio--April 28, 2006--Homeowners who have experienced leaks understand the damage they can cause to the inside of your home, but do you know what to look for before the drips start?

Chris Zimmerman, vice president of marketing for The HomeTeam Inspection Service says that many homeowners don't know how to tell what kind of condition their roof is in and adds that there are some basic things to look for that can give you an idea of the condition of your roof.

"You really can't tell the condition by the roof's age. There are many factors that contribute to the overall health of your roof. You need to know the materials, roof style and how much maintenance - if any - has gone into keeping your roof in good shape," Zimmerman said.

The most common rooftops are made with asphalt and fiberglass shingles. When the rain grooves start to widen on these shingles, then you know your roof is aging.

"A new roof has rain grooves that are about a quarter of an inch thick. These grooves widen over time, and when that groove widens to about a half-inch, your roof has about half of its life left," Zimmerman explains.

Another way to know if your roof is aging is to check out the edges of the shingles. New shingles have very precise corners. Rounding or curling of these corners indicates that your roof is aging.

The third tell-tale sign that your roof may need replacing is horizontal cracking of the shingles, called "alligatoring."

"If you have all three signs, you definitely need to think about replacing your roof before you risk damage on the inside of your home," Zimmerman adds.

Zimmerman said a four-corner inspection of the roof is usually needed to find bare patches, missing flashing, cracking, or worn shingles that have lost their granules.

Darkening spots may not be indicative of your roof's condition, since this is caused by algae, but you should keep your roof clean of buildup, leaves and other debris since this can cause damming. When left unchecked, damming can cause water to be re-routed and eventually lead to leaks.

Check areas such as around the chimney or dormers, and any place where the roof may abut another section of the house or roof. You should also make sure you regularly clean your gutters.

"Clogged gutters and downspouts mean that buildup and debris can make its way into the house if water collects and has no where to drain. Also, check the gutters for sandy debris, which in many cases is actually granules from your shingles wearing away," Zimmerman says.

When inspecting your roof, Zimmerman warns against walking on the roof. It can be dangerous to both you and the roof, since pressure can cause weakening and cracking of your shingles.

It's also important to be vigilant about inspecting the inside of your home. Check for lightening, called "efflorescence," around the chimney or concrete walls, which is an indication of moisture.

Use a flashlight to examine your attic for any leaks. Keep in mind that in most cases, a leak does not affect the area directly underneath it, but water travels along the roof beams to find a weakened spot.

Zimmerman suggests homeowners should annually inspect their roofs in order to be proactive about maintaining the life of the roof and preventing leaks.

For more information or tips about home inspections and the importance of preventative maintenance, visit www.hometeaminspection.com.