The roof is an important element of any building. Every property owner is interested in the strength, optimal functioning, safety, and reliability of the roof. An assessment of its technical condition and structural integrity is necessary regardless of whether the object is residential or commercially owned.
Therefore, we present the roof inspection for non-experts, which will be helpful for any building.
Why Do You Need a Regular Roof Inspection?
It is very important to identify the problem at the beginning to avoid large financial costs for repairs in the future. In most cases, the inspection is carried out by the owner of the property and a representative of the inspection company. The roof inspector uses special equipment, adhering to infrared technology.
Visual inspection of the current state of the roof and its cleaning can be carried out in warm, dry weather by a non-expert. Inspection of the roof is carried out both from the outside and from the inside. In dry weather, it starts from the attic.
The state of a roof is directly affected by the following factors:
- used materials
- fastening system
- air exchange of space
- maintenance
- the level of repairs carried out
- environment
The roof of any building must be in a good condition for at least 20 years, and with proper repairs – from 40 to 50 years. Exceptions are regions with poor climatic conditions and heavy snowfalls.
Inspection of the Roof
If the building is covered with a roof not so long ago, it must be carefully inspected once every five years, until the end of the warranty period. Further, it should be done annually, and you should check the appearance of corrosion, chips, and cracks on the surface. You should also pay attention to the drainage system.
It is necessary to make sure that the coating is in good condition:
- Is the paint peeling off?
- Did any swelling appear under the top layer?
- Are there rust marks on the edges of the eaves?
For the roof to last as long as possible, it is necessary to carry out its thorough washing with water at least once every twelve months. This will require soft brushes. Metal roofing, for example, is cleaned under pressure with chemical detergents. Stains are removed with thinner gasoline (white spirit), which is applied locally and washed off after a while.
If you detect any damage or violation of the integrity of the roof, immediately perform the necessary manipulations to correct it. If a local leak is detected, spot repairs are carried out. If the identified problem is serious, major repairs are carried out to replace the old roof with a new one.
It is important to detect damage to the roof in time and repair it. If this is not done in a short time, the outer layer of the roof will begin to collapse. After a while, the same will happen with its internal part. Roof failure will lead to significant heat loss and leaks in the house. The collapse of load-bearing structures (rafters) may also begin, and, as a result, expensive repairs will be required.