We do not recommend that YOU inspect your roof by walking across it, only a roofing professional should do that. Rather, YOU should inspect it from the ground, using binoculars to help you see more clearly. Look for any of the following signs of roof damage:

• Blistered, curled, or split shingles.
• Loose or missing shingle or tiles.
• Broken or loose shingles at the ridge lines and hip lines.
• Loose nails. A loose nail means an open hole, which can cause leaks and subsequent water damage to your roof
• Exposed nails. These also can lead to leaks in your roof as the water seeps around the head of the exposed nails.
• Dark patches on asphalt shingles and/or large amounts of granules in the rain gutters. This could mean that the granular coating of your roof is wearing away and needs to be replaced.
• On a slate roof, dark patches could indicate mold, but are often just discolored places from trees dripping repeatedly on the slates. If you see dark patches, be sure to check the interior for dark or discolored drywall or other evidence of a leak before calling an inspector or contractor.
• Sagging either on the ridges or in the slope of the roof.
• Rusty or corroded metal (flashing) and loose shingles in the valleys; also plumbing vents or areas near chimneys. You may need to remove leaves and other debris before a proper inspection can be done. Rmember that a lot of leaf debis in the valleys, by plumbing vents, or near the chimney can cause problems with your roof not dealt with properly at the end of each season.
• Rusty metal or loose shingles in locations where a vertical side of the house meets the roof.
• Overflowing gutters or excess water pooling near the foundation of the house.
• On a flat roof, look for blisters in the coating.
• Depressions near a vent pipe on a flat roof is another sign to look for. Keep your eyes open for separations in the flashing, or clogged drains, as these are also signs of trouble.

Interior Roof Inspection