Roof Inspection: What To Expect!

The importance of your house's roof cannot be overstated. Without being solid and operational, a home's roof rapidly becomes an unpleasant dwelling—not something any homeowner wants to endure. To safeguard your investment and health, make keeping your property's roof in excellent working order a top priority. Preventative maintenance, like with your house's other systems, is critical. If they're detected early, issues such as failed flashing, missing or damaged shingles, and broken tiles are simpler to repair and less likely to have caused significant damage to the building or interior of the home. It's not a good idea to climb on your own to get up there. (Really—don't perform it.) Would you know what to look for or how to make required repairs? Probably not, right? That's why you should always hire professionals for roof inspections. But, what to expect from a roof inspection?

I will discuss it in detail in this article, so keep reading.

An inspector looks over a residential roof at the peak, Roof Inspection: What to Expect?

Roof Inspection: What to expect?

No matter how good your roof condition is or how well it appears today, there may be underlying flaws. Roof inspections conducted twice a year can help identify and address faults before they become more prominent and cause structural damage. It also helps avoid the collapse of existing structural problems that may endanger you and your family.

Even a high-quality, well-maintained roof may have flaws after the winter, so schedule an inspection with a roof installation company. They can assess your roof's condition, the presence of any problems, and the most appropriate course of action to preserve it in good working order.

Here's what to anticipate during a professional roof inspection.

Expert of roofing inspection checking the roof

Interior Inspection

Roof interior house inspection for leakage and damage

The initial step of roof inspection should be in your attic rather than on the top of the roof. A roof's underside may contain hidden and significant flaws that go unnoticed.

First, a roofer will examine adequate attic ventilation, such as clogged vents. They'll look for high R-value insulation and perform a structural evaluation to ensure your roof, attic, and entire home are as energy-efficient as possible. Sagging, water damage, or areas where sunlight gleams through are all signs of structure deterioration that need to be inspected.

Water damage to your rafters and other wooden components beneath your roof is a significant problem that should be addressed as soon as feasible. It's conceivable that you'll need to replace your roof in the future, given how much it would cost to repair existing materials rather than replace them.

Flashing Inspection

Inspector checkingif the roofing still has the capability to withstand heavy rain and wind

They'll then go over the roof. Roofers will examine the flashing for cracks or any other signs of deterioration. The purpose of flashing is to cover joins or boundaries where one material ends and another begins on the roof. This prevents moisture seepage and other issues.

Because they are not as durable as the roof itself, flashing along with dormers, valleys, chimneys, eaves, and side walls fades faster than the roof. However, instead of waiting for a roof replacement, they should be replaced right away instead of delaying it.

If your roof needs a thorough cleaning, the flashing you choose may affect how well it keeps algae at bay.

Shingles

If your roof has shingles, an inspection of the shingles will follow. Metal and flat roofs are exceptions. Because shingles are prone to damage, most roof repair costs may be spent on shingle replacement and repair.

Is there any damage to the roof shingles, such as cracks, dislodging, loss, discoloration beyond the surrounding area, or curling? If so, you must replace them. If your shingles have any indications of algae, such as dark, puddle-like stains or black streaks down the roof's slope, they will require an algae treatment. Mold and wetness will also require professional cleaning.

Now you know what to expect from a roof inspection? it's to time know what to do afterwards.

After the inspection

Inspector checking the durability and condition of the roof of a home owner

The condition of the roof, particularly any issues that need to be addressed, will significantly impact the conclusion. If repairs are required, you may expect a written estimate for those tasks, as well as a scope-of-work document. We issue a written inspection report if no repairs are necessary.

Whether or not roof repair is required, it's critical to obtain the inspection results in writing. This information will be necessary for your home insurance policy, and having it on hand may help you sell your house in the future.

Roof problems that are discovered during inspections

roof shingles damage from not fixing for a long time

The most typical issue discovered during a roof inspection is an active leak. I also come across many tile roofs with broken, cracked, or missing tiles. We see problems with nail pops on shingle roofs—areas where the staple that attaches the shingle to the roof decking has backed out. Water enters through a hole created when the nail breaks out.

Aside from active leaks and concerns with the roofing material, I also discovered many roofs and gutters clogged with leaves, tree branches, and other debris, as well as cracked and separated sealants surrounding the pipes and vents that protrude from the roof.

Debris builds up on the roof, preventing water from draining off properly, and any time water lodges where it isn't supposed to, the risk of leaks and shingle damage goes up.

Finally, many of the items found during inspections are due to neglected roof repairs and concerns—things that, if addressed sooner, may have been prevented. Maintaining your roof is crucial for its health and longevity.

When Is It Time for a Roof Inspection?

Insurance adjuster figuring hail damge done to insureds roof

It is recommended that you have to inspect your roof once a year at least. Before the amount of rain and snow picks up, it's ideal to do this work either in the fall or early spring. You can find out whether there are any issues with your roof by doing annual inspections.

If you just bought a house and the last time it was inspected was when it was installed, you should get a roof inspection done. Even if you waived the home inspection during the purchase process, you should schedule one now that your residence has been in place for a while. After ten years or more without an annual roof examination, your roof may be on its borrowed time.

That's all you need to know about, what to expect from a roof inspection? Isn't it true that a pound of cure is worth an ounce of prevention? Roof leaks and the issues they cause may wreak havoc on your house. If leaks aren't dealt with right away, the repair will get more complex, eventually requiring substantial water damage and mold cleanup. Don't let your roof damage to that point of deterioration!