Let me break it down for you.

Read through this list of questions and answer them yes or no.

• Has it been longer than 5 years since someone has looked at your roof?

• Is your roof older than 10 years?

• Is your building in an area where there are trees around it that could drop branches or leaves on the roof?

• Is your building in an area where there are roofs higher than your roof?

• Has there been bad weather recently?

• Do you have a leak? (Even if it is a little one, or it leaks infrequently)

If you answered yes to any of the questions, then it’s in your best interested to get your roof inspected. Now you might be questioning why I asked some of the questions above and how answering yes proves that you should be getting an inspection soon. Let me go into depth.

When you get a new roof, you have about 5 years before you should have the roof checked out. After the initial check you have another 5 years before you should get the roof looked at again. However, once your roof is 10 years old it is in your best interest to get your roof looked at every year. Think of it as a yearly physical for your roof.

Think about what your roof is subjected to in one year. At least in the Midwest a roof can go from 90-degree weather to negative 50-degree weather within a year. Not to mention the threat of tornados and hail. There’s plenty of damage that can happen to an older roof that goes through a bad windstorm. Micro tears can show up, and while that micro tear might not cause problems immediately you better believe that it will start to cause problems in the future.  

Tree branches, leaves, and items from other buildings falling on the roof is a recipe for disaster long term. Think about it like this. The roof of a building is like a body. If every day you had things falling on you, how long would it take for you to get hurt? If your skin gets damaged what happens – you bleed and its possible for germs to get into your body through the cut. The roof of a building is no different. Even the smallest of micro tears can let water into your building causing leaks. Not to mention that a small hole can let the hot or cold air out of your building (and as a result, increase your heating/cooling bill). It’s at that moment that your building needs help.  

The best idea for when you have a roof like the one I described is to have someone come look at your roof at least once a year. Find a contractor, create a long lasting relationship, and have them do a yearly, bi-yearly, or quarterly check-up.  

Last but not least let’s talk about the most obvious reasons you should get an inspection soon. Bad weather and an active leak are the top two reasons you should be picking up the phone and requesting a roof inspection. Depending on where you live depends on what type of weather you are seeing. 

In the Midwest roofs can see everything from tornados, to thunderstorms, to hail, snowstorms, and blizzards. The change in weather is bound to cause damage to your roof. Much like how different seasons cause people to get colds, or the flu, think of the changing weather as a new sickness that has potentially caused damage to your roofs immune system.  

Similarly if you have a leak, whether it be an active leak or somewhere that leaks only when the wind is blowing in a certain direction you should get it check out. I don’t believe that I need to explain the importance of getting your roof checked if there is a leak. It’s like having a cut on your arm that only bleeds when you pick at the scab, obviously the cut needs some tender loving care to heal fully. Your roof is no different. Even if your roof leaks infrequently doesn’t mean that the problem will go away. It most certainly will only get worse with time.