As a preventive measure, regular roof inspections are vitally important, as they provide an opportunity to catch problems like leaks and dry rot before they compromise the roof’s integrity. The frequency of inspections should depend on the roof’s age. If your roof is fairly new, it only needs to be inspected every three to five years; once it passes the 20-year mark, it should be inspected annually.
While it’s recommended that roof inspections be performed by professionals, some homeowners prefer to handle this task themselves. However, before going up on your roof, it’s critical to address safety. One of the most common mistakes homeowners make is using the wrong type of ladder to access their roofs—specifically, an A-frame ladder. This type of ladder is susceptible to tipping over when misused, which can lead to injury.
The correct type of ladder for accessing your roof is an extension ladder. Rest the ladder against the gutters or rake edge of the roof and make sure it’s positioned at a safe angle. Most importantly, tie off the ladder at the top—this will keep it anchored to the house and prevent it from tipping over.

Safety Tip for DIY Roof Inspection

Learn how to safely inspect your roof with these DIY tips. Ensure your roof's longevity and prevent costly repairs with regular inspections.

Safety Tip for DIY Roof Inspection by Mike Ross

By Mike Ross, a Diamond Certified Expert Contributor

Staying On Top of Roof Maintenance

Video: Three Roofing Tips



Whether your roof needs to be inspected, repaired, or replaced, it's worthwhile to consult a seasoned professional. Today, we're in Marina with Diamond certified expert contributor Mike Ross of Ross roofing and construction to learn three tips.

One thing that homeowners typically forget or neglect to do is to remember to get their roof inspection. The roof inspections are vitally important. If you have a newer roof, it's probably every three to five years. If you've got an older roof, say 20 to 30 years old, you're probably looking at getting that inspected every year.

Another helpful tip that we see all the time is, if you're going to do repairs or have your roof redone, have it done by a licensed and insured roofing contractor, a pro, someone who's been doing that for 20 to 30 years. There's a lot of things that can go wrong with roofing very quickly, and it's important to have someone that knows what they're doing and has the proper insurance, liability, and workers comp.

And one thing I'd like to point out is homeowners that do elect to go up on top of the roof really should stay away from using a-frame ladders. We see that all the time; they'll pull out their a-frame ladders, and it's really not a good idea. Those tip over, and that's where most of the accidents happen, broken hips in the ER. You don't need to do that. Get an extension ladder and put that up to your gutters or to the rake edge of your roof, and tie that off.

To learn more from local top-rated companies, visit our Diamond certified expert reports at experts.diamondcertified.org. 

Mike Ross: Roofing Legacy

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