As
the temperatures become cooler
,
it's
important to make sure your home is
ready for the change: by
self-inspecting your roof and siding
for signs of damage. Here are a few
basic steps to follow:
Make a trip to your
attic and probe all rafters and
joists with a screwdriver, and check
for rot. Rotted rafters should be
reinforced or replaced. If the
trusses are rotted, they must be
repaired by a professional. Also
look for visible leaks and, with the
lights off, look for cracks of
daylight.
Climb
onto your roof and look for missing,
cracked or curled shingles. If you
see dark patches on asphalt
shingles, this means that the
surface granules may have worn away.
Also
on the roof, clear valleys of all
debris. Check flashing the
sheetmetal used to reinforce and
weatherproof the angles and joints
of the roof or small holes or rust
spots from corroded nails. These
areas can be patched.
Do you have a flat
roof? If so, check it for blisters.
On a roof with built-up or roll
roofing (alternating layers of felt
and asphalt), repair the blisters.
If you have modified bitumen roofing
(asphalt sheets combined with
plastic or rubber), you'll have to
call a professional.
Check your siding for damaged areas
or bubbling paint may indicate an
insulation problem.
