Key Takeaways:
- The advice is ubiquitous: have your home’s roof inspected every spring and fall. But is that realistic?
- Many factors should be considered when scheduling a professional roof inspection, besides the time of year.
- Your roof’s age, materials, and tree coverage all have various effects on your roof, making scheduling more specific than “spring and fall.”
As a homeowner, you’ve probably heard the advice many times already: you need to have your roof professionally inspected twice a year, in the spring and the fall. But are fall and spring really the only times to have your roof looked at by a professional roofing contractor? Are they even the best times for a roof inspection?
The experts at Dynamic Roofing Technologies are here to separate fact from myth, so you can create a roof inspection schedule that actually works for your home.
Myth: You Need to Have Your Roof Inspected Every Spring and Fall
In theory, this makes sense. Spring inspections highlight any damage done during harsh winter storms, including ice dams formed from Massachusetts’ famous freeze/thaw cycles. Spring inspections also help you prepare your roof for the upcoming summer storm season by identifying broken shingles or potential leak areas.
Fall is also an ostensibly good time to have your roof inspected to see what damage might have been done by summer storms. Fall also brings an enormous amount of debris in the form of fallen leaves that can pile up and invite mold, mildew, algae, and pest nests that seriously damage your roof.
Reality: A More Accurate Roof Inspection Schedule
The reality is that while every home can benefit from a professional inspection any time of year, especially if you don’t know the age of your roof, Spring and fall aren’t the only options.
Here are some other factors to consider.
Roof Age
The older your roof, the more it’s endured brutal New England weather extremes. Younger roofs up to about 15 years old are typically made with more advanced materials designed for durability. These roofs generally only need to be inspected every two or three years to make sure the materials are still intact.
Roofs over 15 years old should be inspected at least once a year. Even if they’re made with high-quality durable materials, they may require upkeep or minor repairs to stay strong.
Tree Coverage
Trees are a beautiful addition to any Massachusetts home yard. They provide shade in the summer and color in the fall and spring. They’re also great for the environment! Unfortunately, your roof has other ideas about trees.
The more trees you have near your roof, the more often you’ll need professional inspections. Here’s why:
- On north-facing slopes, heavy shade from overhanging trees accelerates shingle decay and moss or algae growth
- Falling leaves, needles, and twigs accumulate in roof valleys and clog gutters during Massachusetts winters, restricting water drainage and increasing the risk of ice dams
- A mature tree branch that hangs over the roofline is at risk of being damaged directly by high winds and heavy snow during a nor’easter
Climate Exposure
Coastal areas in New England not only get hard rains, heavy snows, and strong winds, but they’re exposed to corrosion from nearby sea salt. People with homes near the Atlantic should consider having their roofs inspected more often to check for this type of damage.
Many New Englanders also live in historic homes that are more than a century old. These roofs should be checked often by a roofer who specializes in historic preservation to make sure they can withstand nor’easters and summer storms.
Material Type
Each type of roofing material has its pros and cons, including cost, longevity, and aesthetic value. They each also require different levels of professional inspection to remain strong and healthy.
A general timeline for roofing materials:
- Asphalt shingles: The most common type of roofing material, known for its excellent wind resistance. Should be inspected at least twice a year and after major storms.
- Metal roofing: Outstanding durability and style. Should be inspected at least once a year, preferably before the first major snowfall.
- Slate roofs: Extremely durable option. Generally only needs inspection once a year or after hailstorms or ice buildup.
- Flat roofs: High-value and energy-efficient. Need inspection at least twice a year due to the increased possibility of pooling water or heavy ice buildup.
Other Times to Have Your Roof Inspected
To keep your roof in good working condition, we recommend having your roof inspected:
- After any major storm or other weather event
- As you prepare to sell your home
- If you notice visible signs of damage, such as leaks, broken shingles, or sagging
- If you’ve just bought a house
- Before making major renovations on your home, including solar installations
When it comes to your roof, an ounce of prevention is always worth a pound of cure. An inspection allows you to take care of problems when they’re still small and easily fixable, rather than waiting for severe damage.
FAQ: Roof Maintenance Schedules
Q: Do I still need a roof inspection if there are no leaks in my home?
A: Yes. Your roof is made up of several layers of materials. If any of those layers have been compromised by strong winds, harsh rains, extreme changes in temperature, or pests, you might not be able to see it right away. By the time you notice a leak, the problem may be more costly and time-consuming to repair.
Q: Will my homeowner’s insurance cover a professional roof inspection?
A: Unfortunately, most standard homeowner’s insurance policies won’t cover a professional roof inspection done for maintenance purposes.
Q: Is there anything I can do to protect my roof between professional inspections?
A: Yes! There’s a lot you can do to keep your roof in good shape, including a visual inspection of the shingles, cleaning your gutters, and keeping nearby tree branches trimmed away from your roof.
Trusted New England Roofing Experts
Homeowners across New England trust their roof maintenance and repair to Dynamic Roof Tech. We are a roof contractor who is 100% committed to customer satisfaction.
Contact us today for a free on-site, no-obligation quote on roofing services, as well as siding, gutters, skylights, and chimneys!
