How To Be A Roof Inspector

Poor Installations Blocking The Flow Patterns

Holes arent the only cause of leakage in modern roofs. Poor installations can block flow patterns, hence affecting the flow of water. Thats one of the reasons we have chimney crickets that work to regulate water flow and prevent leakages. In the event you notice water leakages in your house soon after the satellite installation man or plumber leaves your home, it would be important you seek the services of a roof inspector.

Other poor installations such as loose or badly installed gutter systems will as well affect the smooth flow of water, hence causing leakages. In the case of metal roofs, if the nails or screws are fitted on the slanting sections, chances are high you will also experience leakages. That simply means that there are so many issues that could trigger the improper flow of water, leading to water leaks alongside holes.

How Often Should You Do A Roof Inspection

Keeping track of the health of your roofing system can be difficult for some homeowners, especially those who do not often go up to their roofs. Thats where our scheduled roofing inspections come in. Our multi-point roofing inspection is an important first step to any roof repair or replacement.

However, even before you notice any problems with your roof, it is important to have regularly scheduled roof inspections to stop damage in its early stages. Although it is great that you want to check on your roof, doing so yourself can result in injury and overlooked issues that can lead to more severe damage over time. Your roof inspection should be done by a professional roofing contractor or inspector because we have specialized knowledge, equipment, training and safety requirements to get the job done efficiently and properly. In todays blog, we want to outline how our roof inspections work and what factors determine how often you need your roof inspected.

Roofs Damaged By Wind

High winds are becoming more common, and their frequency and force will only increase in the future. More and more roofs will be damaged over time, increasing the risk of significant water infiltration when it rains.

Even without rain or hail, high winds can damage your roof by creating stress points in certain areas and weakening them. If the shingles arent installed properly or are loose, the wind can simply tear them off. And once one shingle goes, it wont be long before others start to follow.

On flat roofs, membranes can also be torn off by strong winds if theyve not been properly installed and maintained.

Whether flat or sloped, when a roof suffers wind damage its crucial to have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible. If you dont address it right away, you run the risk of water infiltration and mould.

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How Do You Inspect A Roof Without A Ladder

Inspecting Your Roof

Diy Roof Inspection Vs Hiring A Professional

When it comes to DIY roof inspections, chances are you may be able to recognize any obvious issues just by looking at your roof from the groundthings like curling or missing shingles and crooked or clogged gutters. If your roof is less than 5 years old, you should be able to manage to do it yourself with regular inspections by looking up at your roof and checking the attic for any leaks.

If your roof is older than that, the expertise of a professional roofer is required. They can do a far more comprehensive inspection by getting up on the roof, and they have the eye to spot things like granule loss or issues with the flashing or chimney that an inexperienced homeowner may not see. Plus, you mitigate risk by not getting up on your roof to inspect it when you dont know what youre doing or looking for.

If you do your walk around your property and notice any visual damage to your roof, call a professional right away to get a more comprehensive inspection and an estimate for repairs. Dont attempt to repair anything yourself. It will be safer and more effective if the pros do it. Plus, you can eliminate the risk of causing more damage yourself.

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To Repair Or To Replace Your Roof That Is

Before you start thinking of replacing or repairing your roof, first ask yourself if your roof has reached the end of its useful life. If it has, then it should be replaced since the cost of repairing water damage often exceeds the cost of a new roof. To give you an idea, here are the average lifespans of different types of roofs.

Keep in mind that these lifespans are for roofs that undergo regular maintenance. If you need to replace your roof, be sure to hire a professional roofer. Youll need an invoice for the manufacturers warranty and for your insurance provider if you ever need to make a claim.

If your roof is still under the legal warranty provided by your contractor when it was repaired or built, reach out to them. After inspection, theyll tell you what needs to be done. If your roof needs to be replaced before its reached the end of its normal lifespan, the legal warranty may apply.

When To Schedule A Roof Inspection

If you sustain storm damage, you dont have much choice when you schedule your roof inspection. You need it done fast, and you need it done right. Outside of this situation, there is some strategy when you schedule your roof inspection.

Professionals know that timing is key when it comes to roof inspections. If your roof inspection reveals some needed repairs, but its too close to winter and cold weather, you are likely going to have to wait until Spring to get that work done. Frigid temperatures are not only unsafe to work in for roofers, but it can affect how well the roofing material install, so its best to avoid winter altogether.

Late summer or early fall is probably the best time to get your roof inspected. You want to make sure that your roof and gutters are in optimal shape before winter sets in to withstand the impending snow and ice. Ice dams can form on roofs that dont shed properly or are poorly insulated. A roof inspection can catch this and repair it to prevent any further issues.

Also, work on roofs is done in better weather, so if you are actually anticipating a roof repair or replacement, and thats why you are getting it inspected, get it done much earlier in the year so you can ensure you get the work scheduled before the cold sets in.

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National Roof Certification And Inspection Association

In 1995, the National Roof Certification and Inspection Association was born out of the evolution of the home inspection industry and its eventual standard to refer and defer any roof damage to a certified roofer. Today, the NRCIA has become THE authority in LeakFREE® roof protection by leading the industry in roof inspections and certifications.

How To Do Roof Inspection By Thermal Imaging

Step 1: Find Hot Spots

Before starting the actual roof inspection, you must locate all areas of concern. To do this, you point the thermal imager at each part of your roof. If you find a place that seems unusually warm, you mark it off on your map. Then repeat this process for every section of the proof.

Step 2: Identify Leaks

After locating all hotspots, turn your attention to identifying where these spots lead. In other words, try to figure out exactly where the problem lies.

When looking through the images taken by the thermal imager, you should see two distinct colors. Blue represents cooler temperatures, and red indicates warmer temperatures.

As long as both colors are present, you know that heat is escaping from somewhere. Once youve identified the source of the heat loss, write down its location on the map.

Step 3: Check Out Other Areas

After finding the area with the most heat loss, move on to the next hottest spot. Repeat this step until youve inspected all sections of the roof.

Now you can hire a professional to do roof repair on the spots.

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Diy Roof Inspection Methods

Before doing a roof inspection, there are some things you should know. First off, roofs have many layers, each with its own unique purpose. For example, asphalt shingles protect against water penetration while metal panels keep heat out. If one layer fails, then another must take over.

This means that when performing an inspection, you want to look at all areas of the roof and every single layer.

Inspect Any Skylights They May Need To Be Replaced

During the time of a re-roof, most skylights will likely need to be replaced. You can expect an 18-22 year life span for an individual skylight, so if the contractors recommendation is the opposite of this rule of thumb, make sure you ask them about it.

While your skylight may be working fine now, if it is near the end of its life it may be easier and more cost-effective to replace it with the rest of your roof. Removing and replacing a skylight is an intrusive process for your roof and is easier to do when you are already in the process of repairing or replacing a damaged roof. Depending on the homeowner, it could be worth including in your estimation presenting it as an option that would benefit them but not as a requirement.

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What Is The Best Home Inspector Training

Best Home Inspector Certification Programs

• Best Overall: American Home Inspectors Training.
• Best Value/Low-Cost: International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.
• Best for Quick Completion: Professional Home Inspection Institute.
• Best for Continuing Education: McKissock Learning.

When To Do A Roof Inspection

It depends on several factors, including weather conditions, age of building materials, and overall structural condition. Springtime is an ideal time because temperatures tend to be mild and rainstorms less frequent.

Fall is also good timing because roofs are typically dry at this time. Winter months are not ideal due to extreme cold and snowfall.

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What Is The Purpose Of A Roof Inspection

Homeowners get roof inspections or should get roof inspections for several reasons. First, and probably most widely known, is to get one after a large storm to assess for damage and file an insurance claim. Its vital to request a roof inspection from both a professional roofer and your insurance appraiser to get an accurate estimate and report. And a good roofer will offer free inspections. Watch out for those storm chasers who come into town after a damaging storm to collect some quick cash and leave.

You dont have to have incurred damage suddenly, though, to need a roof inspection. You may get one if you plan to sell your house and are looking to get your roof appraised. You will either need to make repairs or replace it, upping the value of your home, or get a clean bill of health.

Lastly, regular roof inspections can catch issues before they become a problem. Some will say that an annual inspection is a good idea. With regular inspections, you can end up with simple repairs like replacing shingles or small leaks rather than facing a catastrophic repair that ends up needing a full replacement. Your roof, just like any other part of your room, requires maintenance and upkeep to keep it in good shape.

Plus, its important to protect your investment with thorough inspections and proper repairs.

What Does A Roof Certification Mean And Do I Need One

A roof certification letter describes the condition of the surface in general terms and assigns an estimated lifespan to it. Roofing inspectors order it from a contractor as part of the inspection. On its own, it costs between $75 and $200.

Most homeowners get a certification for one of three reasons:

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Why Are Roof Inspections Important

Getting regular roof inspections is important so you can identify issues before they get out of hand. For example, damaged or missing shingles can be replaced before your roof starts to leak if theyre caught early enough. A roof inspection confirms that your roof, underlayment and plywood, shingles, gutters, and flashing are all ingood condition. If these items are missing or damaged, it can wreak havoc on the rest of your home. Some homeowners insurance companies also require policyholders to get an annual roof inspection, particularly if the roof is of a certain age. Certain types of roofs also require more frequent inspections, such as clay tile or flat roofs. If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, hail, or other severe storms, getting your roof inspected regularly is crucial to ensure that its in good condition and structurally sound.

Tips To Perform Safer Roof Inspections

While performing a routine roof inspection, KC Bartley of Professional Home Inspections in Tennessee set his ladder up on the rear deck of the property. It had rained recently, and a thin coat of mildew coated the deck, making it a little slick. However, Bartley had encountered similar scenarios a hundred times, so he thought nothing of it.

Bartley climbed the ladder, mounted the roof, walked it, and documented what he saw without incident. Getting ready to descend, he put his left foot on the top rung of the ladder. As he lifted his right foot from the roofs surface, the ladder kicked out at the bottom. His left leg slipped through the rungs, and Bartley fell backward 13 feet.

I literally started crying on the way down. It was slow motion as I was thinking, This is how I leave my daughters. This is how I die, Bartley said. At the last minute, God said, Throw your arm down. So, I put my arm above my head and towards the deck.

Bartleys arm partially broke his fall. He landed square on his shoulders, his upper back, and lower neck. Bartley knows the fall made him pass out, but hes not entirely sure for how long. His best guess: less than a minute. When he came to, he looked over at his left armthe one that had broken his fall. It had doubled in size.

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Insurance And Legal Issues

Since most home inspectors are self-employed, they pay their own insurance. Some dont even have health or workers compensation insurance. Walking the roof can open the home inspector up to insurance and legal issues if the inspector has employees or allows the client to accompany the inspector onto the roof.

If the inspector, an employee, or the client were to get injured the home inspector could be sued for damages. Even with good insurance, if a client were to follow you onto a roof and get injured your insurance would not cover the injury claim.

What Is A Home Inspector

A home inspector is an independent person who examines a property for significant issues when it is on the market or when a client wants to get their property inspected. It involves checking the safety and functional performance of a real estate property before the buyer purchases it. It is important to understand that home inspection does not include reporting on the design and aesthetic aspects of the house. A potential buyer appoints a home inspector to identify any safety and functionality issues in a property so that they can raise them during price negotiation.

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How Much Does A Roof Inspection Cost

There are several methods that can be employed to inspect a roof. A simple visual inspection generally costs between $200 and $300. If a drone, thermal imaging device or other specialized equipment is used, the cost can run up to $500 or $600. As with most types of inspections, location and access availability will determine the final price.

Do Home Inspectors Climb On Roofs

Home inspectors will gamely climb onto your roof and check for missing or warped shingles and make sure flashing and gutters are in good shape. Theres one huge caveat: Your roof should be less than three stories tall and not too steep. If it is, theyll probably pass. Well go up on roofs if its safe, says Lesh.

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Paying For Professional Roof Repairs

Contact pro roofing companies and seek at least two bids for repair work. You can use a handyman for minor fixes and possibly shave costs, but the person should be bonded, have proof of liability, and have workman’s compensation insurance.

Some costs for common repairs include:

• A few broken or missing shingles: $100 to $150.
• Large repairs : $100 to $350 asphalt $200 to $1,000 wood.
• Replacing flashing or boots around chimneys, skylights, and vents: $300 to $500.
• Repairing flashing in valleys: $15 to $25 per running foot.