Baltimore isn't known for its brutal weather. In fact, its relatively sheltered location between the Appalachian Mountains and the Delmarva Peninsula protect the city from both Lake Effect weather that pounds areas to the north and west, and the coastal storms that can be devastating to communities a little further south and east. Don't let Baltimore's geographical sweet spot trick you into neglecting your roof, however. Baltimore still gets its share of storms, be it regular afternoon thunderstorms in the summer or winter snowfalls and freezing rains. Those weather events, combined with Baltimore's heavy precipitation and high humidity, still take a toll on roofs in Charm City. So what's the best way to keep on top of potential roof damage to your home? An annual Baltimore roof inspection is the ticket to catching roof damage early and avoiding big problems later on.

Baltimore Roof Inspection Tip #1: Perform a Self-Inspection every Spring and Fall
There is no substitute for hiring a professional roof inspection in Baltimore on an annual basis, but you should still take the initiative to personally inspect your roof. After all, two sets of watchful eyes are better than one, and if you take two Saturdays a year to hop up on top of your roof and walk it looking for damage, you'll be a step ahead of homeowners who don't have a clue what's happening above their heads. Make sure you have a good ladder and that you follow basic safety procedures, however. Johns Hopkins is just down the road, but that's not going to be much solace if you suffer a major injury due to a fall. If you've got particularly steep roofs, aren't physically able to climb on top of your roof, or just don't like heights, a pair of binoculars is better than no inspection at all. It's not quite as up close and personal as walking the roof itself, but you'll still be able to identify any new damage that might have happened since your last look.

Baltimore Roof Inspection Tip #2: Hire a Pro to Inspect your Roof Annually
Many homeowners in Crabtown think that having a professional roof inspector come out on top of their own roof inspection is a little much. Trust us, it's not. The bi-annual homeowner inspection is important because severe or serious damage can occur between your roof inspector's annual visits that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later. On the other hand, it's a rare Baltimorean who passes as a qualified roofing expert. A pro is going to be able to find smaller problems that you're likely to miss, and will inspect and look to problem places that you don't even know about. You don't have to be much of a Ravens fan to know that a smothering defense is a better asset than a good offense any day. Same thing applies for your roof. The more preventative measures you take, the less you risk the chance of a major home repair down the road.

Why a Baltimore Roof Inspection is so Important
We've made it clear that catching small problems and recent roof damage is vital to maintaining the integrity of your roof and preventing major damage, but it's worth noting more specifically what you might be in for should you choose to forego annual roof inspections. Minor roof repairs are pretty simple business. In Baltimore (based on ServiceMagic's collected data) they rarely take more than a day to complete and average costs for a small repair run in the neighborhood of a few hundred dollars. On the other side of the spectrum, let's look at an undetected roof leak. Roof leaks can occur due to loose flashings, poorly installed or defective roofing material, and loose, missing, or damaged roof materials, and they usually start out small. In fact, most roof leaks are small enough that, without regular roof inspections in Baltimore, it is not uncommon for them to be present for two to four years before you see signs of water damage anywhere inside your home. That means that a typical roof leak has two to four years to reduce the integrity of your roofing, rot your roof decking, rot your roof joists, damage your insulation, and spawn serious mold, mildew, and fungus problems. In other words, by the time your ceiling starts to sag, you could easily be looking at tens of thousands of dollars of repair work to your roof, your attic, your insulation, and your interior drywall. It's exactly that scenario that an annual roof inspection is meant avoid.

Playing the Odds—Hiring a Baltimore Roof Inspection Pro you can Trust
Here at ServiceMagic we're privy to two possibilities if you're interested in scheduling a roof inspection in Baltimore. The first is to hire a professional inspection company to come and give your roof an independent evaluation. There are a lot of plusses to this approach, not the least of which is that you can rest easy knowing that an independent inspector isn't going to get creative in finding damage so they can line their pockets later with repairs. Which brings us to the other option. Most roofing companies have roof inspectors on staff, who often perform roof inspections for free. Keep in mind, however, that like any smart business, roofing companies are out to make money, and they don't provide free inspections just to bolster their good name. They're looking for business opportunities, so you're wise to get a second opinion on their findings, especially if they propose that you're in for a major repair. Whichever direction you choose to go, any inspection is better than none at all. It's by far the best way to keep your Baltimore roof in tip-top condition without incurring major costs along the way.