Your asphalt shingle roof is designed to last about a decade. But with plenty of preventative maintenance, biannual inspections and the occasional roof repair are all great ways to extend the lifespan of your roof well beyond the average age. But it takes a keen eye, constant vigilance and knowing what to look for when you inspect your Chantilly, Virginia home or businesses roof. While it’s never a good idea to climb on your own roof, you can still inspect it visually using a pair of binoculars. Use these tips for solving roofing problems before they start and you can be sure to get the most out of your asphalt shingle roof.

Getting the most out of your roofs lifespan starts with performing a roof inspection at least twice a year. Before the wet winter or stormy summer months of Chantilly, VA. start, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’ve had a thorough roof inspection. Whether you hire a professional roofing contractor or you do the inspection yourself, it’s a good idea to inspect every area of the roof so that future roof repair can be prevented. Be sure that you perform a complete inspection by checking the following areas for roofing problems. Call Roof.net today at (703)303-8546 or send us your information online by filling out the box in the left-hand corner of your screen and we’ll send our crew of professional roofers to inspect your home or businesses roof and provide you with a no cost, no obligation estimate today. Check out our roofing contractor’s reviews and see for yourself why we offer the best roofing inspection, repairs and replacements in Chantilly and the rest of Northern Virginia.

• Flashings - When you’re inspecting your roof, look at areas that employ metal flashings. Chimneys, skylights, valleys and walls all have metal flashings that need a thorough examination to ensure that everything is in good shape. Any signs of rust, stains or other discolorations could mean trouble. Call a crew of licensed and insured roofers immediately to prevent future repairs or roof replacement.

• Vents - Pipes and Stacks- A roofing penetration is necessary to keep your home clean and free from your appliances exhaust, heat and other gases that you don’t want indoors. More often than not, the metal covers that protect these areas from water penetration are going to leak long before the asphalt shingles do. Check around each roofing penetration for rotting rubber, cracked sealants or damaged metal as these are sure signs that a roof repair is necessary.

• Attic Ventilation - Be sure to inspect your attic ventilation when you or your roofers perform a roofing inspection. If your attic space is too hot, it can cause damage to shingles and roofing materials. In some cases, curled shingles, dry rotted plywood and black mold can all form from improper attic ventilation. An attic fan installation can cure most attic ventilation problems. Give us a call today at (703)303-8546 and we’ll send a crew of qualified roofers to give you an attic fan assessment and inspect your attic ventilation today.

• Soffit and Fascia - The exterior of your homes roof can also be a prime area for roof leaks. Loose, missing or broken pieces of soffit or fascia can be a roof leak waiting to happen. Be sure to take a good look at this often neglected area of the home to prevent future roof leaks.

• Skylights - Flashing and sealants are often used to protect a skylight from water instruction. Look for signs of cracked, eroded or peeling sealants. Any signs of discolorations or rust can be a sure sign that a roof repair is needed before a leak happens.

• Chimneys - Your chimney is protected by metal flashings and sealants to prevent water damages. These areas of the roof a particularly susceptible to leaks if the correct procedures or superior products weren’t used during the installation. Always be sure that you or your roofers inspect around the entire chimney area. Any piles of leaf debris should be removed to prevent future roof problems.

• Valleys - Besides checking these areas for discolorations from rusting flashings, also look for large piles of shingle granules. When too many granules end up in roof valleys, it can be a sure sign that your shingles are past their prime and a roof replacement is necessary.