Roof Inspection

Roof inspections are sort of like preventative care for your roof. By having your roof inspected on a regular basis, you will be more likely to find problems at the start, when they’re still small and more easily fixed. Early detection will result in a smaller and less costly repair. A roof inspector will meticulously check every area of your roof and areas related to it, like gutters, downspouts, chimneys, your attic, etc. Some areas that your inspector will check are:
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• Roof Structure: Normally, structural problems will form and worsen over many years. Because of how incremental the changes are over such a long period of time, it is likely that you won’t notice these issues until they are so bad that a full roof replacement may be needed. Your inspector will look for roof spreading, sagging, rust, and rot.
• The Interior: Your attic is an area of your home that can be significantly damaged if there is roof damage. Water penetration can cause mold and rot, particularly if the attic isn’t well ventilated. Your inspector will also look at your insulation to ensure that it’s still functioning properly, as poor insulation can result in higher energy costs.
• Roof Materials: Some roofing materials are better for particular climates than others. Your experienced inspector will identify the material used on your roof and look for specific types of damage that are common to that material.
• Downspouts and Gutters: You may not think about your gutters very frequently, but they are much more important than many people think. Downspouts that are improperly maintained or placed may lead to foundation problems. Leaky or clogged gutters can cause wear on your roof or siding, or potentially even pull the piping away from your house.
• Quality of Installation: Incorrect shingle placement or overhangs, improperly placed nails, low underlayment quality, and general poor structural integrity are issues that can be caused by poor installation. Some of these may seem like they’re not a big problem, but they most definitely are when it comes to the functioning and longevity of your roof. Your inspector will look for these and other signs to be able to tell if there were poor installation practices and if measures need to be taken to correct the problems.  
• Shingle Problems: Damaged, missing, or decaying shingles can allow damage to penetrate through they layers of your roof, allowing water, pests, and other unwelcome things into your home. Your inspector will check for signs of problems with your shingles, and let you know what steps can be taken to fix them before more problems arise.
• Issues with Chimneys: Chimneys often don’t receive the maintenance that they need. Improper inspection and maintenance can lead to obstructions like branches, bird nests, leaves, and dead animals going unnoticed. Chimney blockages can be very serious, as dangerous gasses like carbon monoxide may build up in your home. Older homes may have chimneys that are improperly built, creating a safety hazard for you and your family.  
• Roof Flashing Issues: Flashing on your roof directs water from more vulnerable areas into a drainage system. Damaged flashings significantly increase your chances of a leak in your roof.
• Encroaching Vegetation: Trees and other vegetation too close to your home can be exceptionally damaging to your roof. Fallen branches, gutter and chimney clogs, water retention and mold growth under fallen leaves can create problems In your roof that build up over time. Not only is vegetation a danger to your roof, roots can also cause significant damage to your home’s foundation. Your inspector will look at the vegetation surrounding your home and will let you know if there are any that could be a danger to your home.
• Signs of Animals and Pests: Rats, mice, birds, termites, bees, bugs, and small animals can enter your home through holes in your roof. These pests can be very adept at hiding, and you may not know that they’re there until large amounts of damage occur to your roof and the rest of your home. Your inspector is trained to notice minute signs of pests to ensure that any intruder is removed as soon as possible.

 
Although it’s overwhelming to think about everything that can go wrong with your roof, it’s important to know what problems there may be. It’s much less stressful to fix small problems as they arise than it is to need large repairs and replacement down the road. Scheduling an inspection will help you to understand if repairs are needed and how to properly maintain your roof going forward, ensuring that your roof lasts a long, long time!
 
Although an inspection may cost you a little bit of money, having regular inspections and maintenance done can save you a lot of money overall. Patching a single roof leak is significantly cheaper than having to fully replace a roof due to years of water damage. The earlier a problem is found, the less expensive it is to fix! We recommend roof inspections about every 3 years, particularly for older homes. Our high quality, affordable roof inspections will ensure that your roof is in the best possible condition so that it can be the crowning glory of your house for years to come!