How To Inspect A Roofing Job

A Roofing Inspection Checklist To Get Ahead Of Problems

A regular roof inspection can head off expensive repairs.

A roof inspection is one of those preventive maintenance jobs that are easy to overlook. Don’t. Add a once-a-year reminder on your calendar to go out on a warm day and address any roof problems you find.

If you’re squeamish about heights, don’t worry. You can do a thorough inspection from the ground using a pair of binoculars.

Or, you can get up close and personal with your roof using a ladder. However, there’s no need to get up on your roof just yet. The less you walk around up there, the better for your roofing — and the safer for you. Work your way around your house, noting any potential problems.

Here’s a roofing inspection checklist:

• Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing.
• Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering.
• Missing or broken shingles.
• Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes.
• Missing or damaged chimney cap.
• Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath. Black algae stains are just cosmetic.

If you find piles of colored grit from asphalt roof tiles in the gutters, thats a bad sign — those sand-like granules cover the surface of roof shingles and shield them from the suns damaging ultraviolet rays. Check the age of your roofing and see if it’s nearing the end of its life cycle.

Inspect Terminations In Parapet Walls

Then, its time to look at the terminations on your parapet walls. These terminations should be properly sealed.

Your expert inspector will look at the base of the wall to see if there are any signs of failure or cracking. Ensure these issues are addressed to prevent much larger damages down the line.

B& m Roofing In Colorado

We stand behind the workmanship of every roof we install for Colorado commercial and residential properties. We encourage our customers to consider regular maintenance and can offer plans through our roof asset management program. In addition, we offer leak repair services that can help prevent you from having to drop thousands in new installation costs.

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Look For Algae Moss Or Piles Of Leaves

If you have binoculars, you can begin your DIY roof checkup from the ground. Start by walking around your house and checking your roof for piles of leaves or other growth or debris, all of which can cause serious damage to a roof. They can trap moisture, which can seep into the sheathing below your shingles and even into the structural elements of the roof itself. You should clear these away immediately.

Moss is especially dangerous because it soaks up rainwater like a sponge. The moisture can cause the wooden structure underneath your roof to mold and decay, which can compromise the structural integrity of your roof.

So, how do you get rid of pesky moss? You can apply moss killer and brush the offending moss away with a broom or brush, especially if the infestation is new. When you have your roof re-shingled, consider buying moss- and algae-resistant shinglesthey may be more expensive than the regular shingles, but they can keep moss away for the lifetime of the roof.

What Happens During A Roof Inspection

When a roofer shows up to your house for an inspection, theyll usually show up with tools and a clipboard. Theyre there to look at everything and take detailed notes to report to you after the inspection.

Typically, roofers conduct inspections in units of roofing squares. A roofing square is a 10ft x 10ft space, typically drawn in chalk on the roof. Roof damage is often measured in these units to determine the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs. Roofing squares are also a useful tool for determining whether or not your roof needs a repair or a full replacement.

During a legitimate inspection, roofing inspector will look at:

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Doing Your Own Roofing Repairs

Any loose, damaged, or missing shingles should be replaced immediately. Check for popped nails that need to be hammered back in place.

If youre comfortable working on a roof, then its not too difficult to replace shingles and caulk flashing yourself. Cost: $24 for a bundle of shingles, $6 for roofing caulk. Allow a half-day to make a few shingle repairs.

Metal and vinyl flashing around chimneys, skylights, and attic vents that has separated needs to be resealed with caulk. However, flashing and vent boots that are beginning to rust or deteriorate should be replaced.

Look Out For Storm Chasers

If a company that is not local to your area approaches you right after a storm, thats usually a clear sign that they might not be the right fit for you. After a storm, you may be worrying about the condition of your roof these companies know that, and they want to confirm your suspicions by saying your roof is terribly damaged. In reality, theyre using your stress and fear about potential roof damage to try to make some quick cash selling roof services.

These roofers are called storm chasers. Youve probably never heard of their company before thats likely because they just rolled into town to make some cash. They use the opportunity of a major storm to make easy money on homeowners in a state of vulnerability, but they never deliver satisfying results . Often, they leave town without even touching your roof.

Instead, its wise to only deal with a local roofing company established and with a good reputation. This puts you in a more stable position to accept or reject their business .

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How Often Should You Have A Roof Inspected

You should perform a roof inspection twice a year.

Its a good idea to perform a roof inspection in the spring or early summer to ensure that it hasnt been damaged by winter storms, snow, ice, or hail. Before winter hits, consider storm-proofing your roofand learning how to prepare your house for extreme cold.

You should check the roof again in the fall for damage done by summer thunderstorms, falling tree limbs, and other hazards.

So I Might Need A New Roof How Should I Pick A Roofing Professional To Replace Or Restore My Roof

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Building A Profitable Roofing Business

The most important number in your business is your profit margin. This should be the number you use to track the performance of your sales reps & company as a whole, not a per square price.

You should even consider removing per square pricing from your company culture altogether. Encourage your sales team to focus on profit margins instead of discussing what per square price they got on a project. We hope that some of these roof estimating tips will help your company maximize profits & increase sales.

Your Roof Includes Drip Edge Flashing

This is one common area in which shoddy contractors will try to pull one over on the homeowner. Drip edge flashing is a material that roofing contractors should install at every edge of your roof. The purpose is to prevent water damage to your home and guard against pest infestations in the attic. Drip edges are a requirement for roofing shingles, however, most homeowners wouldnt be able to tell whether or not their roofs have drip edges or not. In fact, most only know about the problem once they are dealing with leaks or moisture concerns.

If your room has a shingle roof, look to the gables and eaves. Each should feature a drip edge. This is metal flashing that fits between the shingles and the underlayment. It is paramount in carrying water away from the home and ensuring that gutters work as they should. A qualified roofing contractor will always use a drip edge to seal and protect the roof. It should set the stage for the shingle installation itself. Some companies also boast custom made drip edges to create an even more secure border on your roof.

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A Ladder Inspection Is Best For Finding Damage

Although you can undoubtedly discover damage roof damage from the ground, it is best to use a ladder to be able to view the roof as up close as possible. A ladder inspection will be carried out in much the same way as a ground view inspection, but you will be able to spot more damage because you are closer.

A roof inspection needs to be done at least once a year and after violent storms that produce high winds or hail. If any damage is discovered, it should be reported to a roofing contractor so repairs can be carried out right away.

Perfect Exteriors Can Inspect Roof For Damage

Learning how to inspect a roof for damage and how often to inspect roof are an integral part of home maintenance. By scheduling regular roof inspections, you can help to ensure your homes safety from many common threats.

Contact Perfect Exteriors today if youre unsure when or how to inspect a roof. A professional roof inspection will determine if your roof needs repair or replacementand can help you choose the best course of action for your home.

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Who Should Do The Inspection

When getting your roof inspected, your first criteria should be certification. In the UK, there is no legal requirement for licenses or certificates to operate as a roofer, and while any roofer should have the required knowledge to be able to adequately inspect a roof, you really should opt for someone who has the qualifications to support their expertise.

The next thing you should look for is someone who is advertising roof inspection services specifically. Again, any roofer should have the knowledge needed to perform a roof inspection, but someone who offers roof inspection services specifically will be more invested in ensuring their reputation as a roof inspector is preserved by delivering a comprehensive service. They are also more likely to have specialist tools to perform a more thorough inspection than a typical roofer who also does inspections on the side.

Of course, there is also the matter of visual inspections, which you can carry out yourself. In the case of a new roof replacement, any obvious signs of a problem you can spot yourself are undoubtedly cause for concern. That being said, you should still get a certified roof inspector in before you call your roofer back to put things right. If you spot loose tiles or missing flashing, you can have your roofer put that right, but there may be other things you cant spot that need fixing, too.

Calculating Roofing Profit Margin

Your profit margin is how much net profit youre left with when all other costs for the job have been paid. This includes the cost of rendering the service plus your overhead costs.

Well call this total cost your break-even costthe amount you would need to charge to make $0 on the project.

To ensure you make a sustainable profit, its best to determine a standard percentage of profit you want to make and apply that to your break-even cost.

A 6% profit margin was the average for roofers in recent years. However, roofing is an industry notorious for low profits. Historically,90% of roofing contractors underbid their jobs.

A good rule of thumb is to aim for a 15-20% profit margin.

Once you determine your profit margin percentage, the rest is easy.

Take your break-even cost and multiply by your profit margin. Lets say your break-even cost on the job is $7,000, and you want a 15% profit margin.

$7,000 break-even cost × 15% profit margin = $1,050 profit.

So, your final estimate for the roof would be $8,050 .

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Signs Of A Bad Roofing Job + How To Fix It

A new roofing project should give your curb appeal a facelift, and leave you with a secure, strong, and sturdy roof to protect your family and home for years to come. A bad roofing job takes that away.

Its unfortunate if you go outside to see your new roof in its entirety and notice that it really isnt up-to-snuff. In fact, your new roof might even be worse than your old one. While bad roofing jobs arent extremely common, they can certainly occur from time to time. A bad roofing job will often be noticeable from the ground, but occasionally, you need to take a closer look to see whether or not your new roofing project was a success.

Whether youve recently gone through a new roofing job or are planning on installing a new roof soon, here are 8 signs to look for in a bad roofing job.

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See How Long Theyve Been In Business

Over 10 years is the sweet spot, but a 5-year-old company will also do great work on your roof. If a company is younger than 5 years, that doesnt necessarily mean you shouldnt hire them, but you should be extra diligent in seeing their past work and reading reviews.

Ask them if they can share a few homes they recently worked on that you can drive by and inspect or view images of. Checking past work should be done for all contractors you consider, regardless of how old they are. You can find more ways to spot a bad roofer in our previous article.

Flat Roofs Require Much Different Care Than A Typical Shingled Roof

Even so, if theyre well taken care of they can last past the typical 15 year lifespan for a flat or low slope roof. This guide will show you:

• Common issues to check for on your roof.

• Signs that it may be in need of repair or replacement.

• Easy steps you can take to care for your roof.

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How Can You Tell If A Roofing Company Is Trying To Rip You Off

Like many homeowners, you may be suspicious of roof inspections . For the past 50+ years, the roofing industry has been given a bad name by cheap contractors that dont know what theyre doing or scam artists that run off with your money without doing any work. These people have notoriously used roof inspections as a tactic to steal your money. They might tell you something is wrong with your roof when there really isnt, or they may exaggerate the damage to get more money out of you.

At Baltic Roofing, we are working hard to change that perception. Weve been a part of the Chicagoland community since 2004. Why? Because our commitment to quality, honesty, and customer service has earned us that privilege.

We want to make sure you get an honest roof inspection and only pay for the job that provides the most value to your home. That means staying away from contractors that dont have your best interest in mind. Here are some signs that your inspection might just be a ploy to steal your money:

A Homeowner Or Professional Inspection

Though most homeowners will be able to spot visible signs of roof damage easily, some types may go unnoticed by the untrained eye. If you have a newer roof that is less than five years old and is showing no significant signs of damage, it is fine to stick with a visual inspection.

The professionals should thoroughly inspect older roofs or those that have suffered damage. A comprehensive roof inspection, carried out by an expert, can reveal damage that could be missed by an inexperienced homeowner who does not know what they are searching for when looking at their roof.

If you require a seasonal roof inspection for a roof that is over ten years old, it would be wise to rely on the professionals. Missed damages could result in ongoing problems that become much more costly to repair.

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