Welcome to The Fidus Group. Below are some quick articles written and designed just for you – the home owner. We would like to help you better understand one of the most important and most frequently neglected parts of your home: your roof, so we have written some quick and easy to read and understand articles to assist you with just that.

Thinking about inspecting your own roof? Here are some tips!

How do you know when you need a new roof? Sure, having to step around the pots on your floor to collect rainwater is a good indication that it’s time to have your roof repaired, but what if your roof hasn’t gotten that bad and you’re just not sure? Although the Fidus Group offers free estimates, you still may not yet know if it’s time to call a roof inspector just yet. For that reason, we would like to provide you with a brief overview of certain things to look for if you decide to take a look for yourself.

Inside your house, you may find leaks, paint discoloration or paint blistering. The wall paper may be peeling away from the ceiling. Look for dampness around the baseboards. Next, you can take your roof inspection outside by walking around your property. The first things you want to look for are:

• Brittle shingles
• Cupped or buckling shingles
• Granular wear
• Proper ventilation
• Chimney flashings
• Soil-stack flashings
• Step flashings
• Sheathing rot
• Loose sheathing/decking
• Popped nails

Roofing repairs and leak problems are typically as follows:

• Deteriorating roofing shingles
• Deteriorating roofing sheathing/decking
• Deteriorating flashings (soil-stack, chimney, step)
• Low quality of skylights
• Improper installation/lack of drip-edge
• Improper installation/lack of ice and water guard
• Improper installation/lack of proper ventilation

After walking around your house looking for the above mentioned items, try going into your attic to see if the wood is water stained or wet. If there is a leak, the insulation may be damp or matted down.

If you decide you’re going to go on top of your roof to further inspect it, please use extreme caution while looking for the bullet pointed items.

Ideally, you should be checking your roof every spring before the rainy season comes. If you notice any of these issues, please call us immediately so we can come to your home and evaluate the situation. If you have any questions or concerns, or you’re still not sure if you need your roof repaired, please call The Fidus Group at (904) 230-5548 for a free inspection. This is especially important given the number of damaging hurricanes we’ve seen come through Florida in the last decade.

Thanks and we hope your family stays safe and dry!