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HomeExclusiveWhen To Get A Roof Inspection

When To Get A Roof Inspection

Roof Inspection Vs Home Inspection: Whats The Difference

How to Perform a Roof Inspection According to the InterNACHI® SOP

A home inspection is a visual review of an entire propertys main systems and components which evaluates the condition of its plumbing, electrical, HVAC, foundation, and yes, its roof, too.

A roof inspection puts just your roof in the hot seat instead of the entire home. The inspector will take a close look at the integrity of the roof and ceilings for signs of damage, leaking, or any other issues specific to the roof that may pose a threat to the home.

Roof inspections can be tricky because some of the most important components are hidden underneath the shingles, says John Hogan, who founded Blue Nail Roofing and has more than 12 years in the building industry under his belt.

We use clues from what we see on the surface to make an educated guess at what was done underneath.

Some of these red flags might include:

  • Mold growth on the shingles that could point to rotting wood underneath
  • Incorrectly installed flashing that could lead to leaks in the roof
  • Missing shingles, which can indicate that the roof has sustained wind, water or age damage
  • Roof granules in the gutter, which can be evidence of roof materials breaking down

Theres more than one way to inspect a roof different roof contractors use different methods to get a good look at whats going on atop your home, including:

How Do I Know When The Leak Is Coming From The Gutters And Not The Roof

If you notice moisture in the enclosed areas of your home, more towards the interior of the rooms, it could be a sign you have a leaking roof. If leaks are largely seen on the exterior of the home, or places where the ceiling meets the edges of the vertical walls, that could be a gutter problem.

While it is raining, you can go into the attic to observe any moisture trails. After rain or storms have passed, you can try to get an aerial view to spot the source. If its not raining and you still suspect a problem, spray water on the roof from a garden hose, while another person stands inside the attic. This tag team approach should lead to some answers.

When To Schedule An Inspection

When is the best time to schedule an inspection? After a storm? After winter is over?

Nope.

The best time to schedule an inspection is before anything goes seriously wrong. Most roofing issues are the result of long-term damage, which means that they accumulate over time. Getting a roof inspection even when you think everything is fine is the best way to catch minor issues before they have an opportunity to fester into expensive repairs.

That said, if you have recently experienced a major storm or similar event, get in touch with roofers ASAP. You dont want to take the risk that something may be seriously wrong with your roof, and event-based inspections are quite common.

And if youre not sure? No worries. Talk to a roofer about your options and ask them whether you might need an inspection. Figure out the last time you had roof repairs and discuss any major weather that may have caused roof damage. A good roofer will give you an honest assessment.

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What If It Failed The Inspection

In the case of a general roof inspection failing, it would be time to call in a professional roofer to deal with the problems. Unfortunately, unless you have money to burn, you will need to get in touch with the roofer who replaced your roof to talk about setting things straight.Hopefully, your roofer is honest and will want the problems your roof inspection uncovered right. They may have been the result of an honest mistake. If not, you may be forced to take your roofer to court, in which case you should seek legal advice before proceeding.

You may need to have the repair work done by someone else and pursue your roofer for compensation, rather than have them put the problems right.

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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.

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What Our People Are Saying

It was a very good experience with our new roof installed in Shortsville, NY. Gene Martin was very helpful explaining our best options. Ray and crew were very helpful doing what needed to be done and left the job cleaner than they found it.

What we liked as much as the price and quality of the workmanship was the work ethic of the employees we had contact with from the office manager, the sales rep to the crew who did the actual work. All were very professional and the crew even though

Identifying The Right Roof Inspector

A roofing inspection is meant to be done by a licensed roofer where their insurance coverage is up to date with their insurance carriers and have roof certification and verifiable reviews on their adherence to strict guidelines in regards to quality management. A roofing contractor should have evidence in a detailed report of all these on hand to be able to assure you that you are in good hands.

If there is a failure to provide or is great hesitancy all of these, assess immediately and dont be afraid to move on!

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Factors To Determine How Often You Should Have Your Roof Inspected

Keeping track of what is happening on your roof can be difficult unless you are very tall or have a drone. Thats where roof inspections come in.

Under certain circumstances, the recommended frequency of your inspections may vary from home to home. If you are not enrolled in a preventative maintenance program that includes regular inspections, here are three important factors to help you determine how often you should have your roof inspected.

What Do Roof Inspectors Look For

How to do a roof Inspection

A common misconception from homeowners is that we only inspect the actual roof. In reality, several components of a home work together to keep the entire roof system functional. Those often include gutters, siding, ventilation, insulation, etc. and are all part of our top to bottom inspection process.

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Should Roof Inspections Happen In Spring Or Fall

A quick Google search will tell you that spring and fall are the most popular times to get a roof inspection, and some people have very strong opinions on which is better. The truth is that the most important thing is just to get regular roof inspections when you need them, regardless of the time of year. That being said, there are pros and cons to each option:

Inspect The 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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The Benefits Of A Roofing Inspection

When mandated by an insurance company, a roof inspection can benefit you or work against you, depending on the condition of your roof. So, if you want to prevent the insurance company from denying a claim or canceling your policy, you are better off scheduling a routine assessment. There are several benefits of a professional roof inspection:

  • Your monthly homeowners insurance premiums stay low.
  • You catch minor issues before they become major problems.
  • Your roof provides protection when you need it most.
  • A roof in good condition is more energy-efficient.
  • You keep your warranty from being voided.
  • Your roof will reach or exceed its life expectancy.
  • Roof maintenance is cheaper than repairs.

Also, remember that a clean roof in excellent condition has better curb appeal than a dirty roof. If you decide to sell your house, you can use the roof as a selling point. Potential buyers are more likely to buy your house if they do not have to spend extra time and money fixing the roofing system.

How We Make Money

Reasons to Get a Roof Inspection

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Prevent Other Roof Problems

This may not be noticed, at first, but eventually, this water will build up and cause significant damage to:

  • Roof
  • Attic
  • Walls

Since these problems reveal themselves slowly, it is important to have your roof inspected regularly, even if there doesnt appear to be any problems. The problems that may be present will likely only get worse, and its considerably cheaper to remove an ice dam and replace some rotten shingles than it is to replace your entire roof, the ceilings in your attic, and various walls in your home.

Why Choose Briggs Roofing Company

If you think you might have a roof problem, you need help from a local roofing company you can trust, and fast! Googling roofer near me will give you hundreds of options So how do you know who to choose?

  • Choose a roofing company that has a local office this helps protect you from scams
  • Go with someone with a proven track record read their online reviews!
  • Make sure your roofer has training and certifications check their website!

Youll find all of these things and more when you choose Briggs Roofing Company for your next roof inspection. Our #1 goal is to be a trusted resource for Rigby homeowners in need of roof repairs, storm damage help, or full roof replacement. Get in touch with us today by calling 208-390-9007 or use our online form.

and for more tips on the best ways to take care of your roof and home!

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When Should I Have My Roof Inspected

No roof inspection guide would be complete unless it includes the best time to have your roof inspected. Commonly, roof inspections are done for the following reasons.

  • After a storm: Your insurance company will likely require a roof inspection if a storm damage claim is made. Often, the insurance company will send out their own inspector to confirm the validity of a claim.
  • Periodic inspection: Different roofing materials have different lifespans. Keeping a constant eye on your roof is important. But, after half of your roofs expected lifespan has passed you should have your roof professionally inspected every three to four years. Consider doing this even more often if you live in a harsh climate, and less often in milder areas. A good rule of thumb is to schedule roof inspections well before colder months arrive to ensure enough time is available should urgent repairs need to be made.
  • Roof appraisal: If you are buying a home, its never a bad idea to know what youre getting into regarding the condition of your new roof. Sellers can add a selling point to their property if they have the roof inspected and approved.

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Regular roof inspections will also prevent you from spending a lot of money on roof repairs. Even if your roof is intact, hiring professionals for roof inspections is still necessary as they can detect problems and fix them before they get worse. The sooner you have these problems repaired, the less money youll have to spend.

On average, a roofing inspection only costs $216. This is a better price to pay than spending around $3,300 for fascia and soffits repair or $1,300 to repair your metal roof.

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General Roof Maintenance Tips

Now that you know the importance of maintaining your roof, here are some roof maintenance tips to help you get started:

  • Inspect your roof regularly: Be sure to conduct a thorough inspection at least once a year, or hire professionals to do it for you.
  • Check for signs of damage: Look for any cracked, missing, or loose shingles. If you see any problems, take action immediately.
  • Remove debris Fallen leaves, branches, and other debris can accumulate on your roof and cause damage. Be sure to remove them regularly.
  • Hire a professional roofing contractor: If you are not confident in conducting a roof inspection or repair, its best to hire a professional. They have the experience and expertise to get the job done right.

How Do I Know If My Roof Was Inspected Correctly

The best way to know if your roof is being inspected correctly is to physically watch the inspector perform his work. When the inspection is complete, the inspector should provide you with a written report. The report should list details of every aspect of the inspection. The details of the report will likely tell you how thorough an inspection was done.

Today, drones and thermal cameras are often used by inspectors to increase feedback accuracy. However, these shouldnt take the place of an inspector getting up close and personal with your roof system.

If you have any questions or concerns, dont be afraid to ask the inspector. A competent roof inspector, who has completed a proper inspection of your roof, should have no problem answering very specific questions about your particular roof and the inspection process.

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Inspect The Attic Closely

Make sure that the contractor looks around your attic as well. Specifically, they should be looking to see how the ventilation is in your attic, as well as if there is any rotten wood on the roof.

A quick look in the attic can tell you a lot about the condition of the roof, as well as the risk its been subjected to in previous years. If there is poor insulation, you should look closely for excess wear on the roof from the additional heat that would leak through. During the winter this heat can cause serious problems by causing the formation of ice dams. Essentially the snow melts on your roof, and runs down freezing to the end of it.

How Often Should You Get Your Roof Inspected

3 Reasons to Get a Roof Inspection Before Storm Season Arrives

The building materials that compose your roof, the kind of conditions it has been exposed to over the course of the year, and other factors determine how often you should have your roof professionally inspected by Pinnacle Roofing. More immediate action is required if there are signs of damage. A self-check at least twice a year to spot any problempreferably in the fall and spring when the weather tends to be more mild is recommended by the National Roofing Contractors Association, in addition to a once a year professional inspection. Mild weather not only helps make inspecting the roof easier, it also allows you to make sure that your roof will be prepared for the upcoming changes in temperature and potential seasonal weather hazards. Here at Pinnacle Roofing we have devised these guidelines to help you determine how often to schedule your professional roof inspection with us!

Beyond Shingles

A Damaged Roof

Self Check

We know not all of us feel comfortable climbing a ladder and getting on the roof , so one way to do a self inspection is to use a pair of binoculars to check out the roof from the safety of your yard. Here are a few of the things we recommend to look for:

  • Broken and missing shingles

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Heres What The Roof Inspector Will Be Looking For

Now that weve covered how a roof inspection works, lets dig into what details the inspector will be looking for while theyre up on the roof with their clipboard in tow.

Inspectors will spend anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours assessing the roof for the four major facets of roof inspections: structure, interior, materials, and workmanship.

What Roofers Look For

There are many different ways a roof can become damaged and many different ways that roof damage can express itself.

For example, water damage is one of the most common things that inspectors look for. The trick is that water damage can be the result of several different issues, including:

  • Damaged shingles
  • Improperly installed flashing
  • Storm damage

It can also express itself under the guise of other issues. Mold and mildew, for example, are often the result of extensive water damage. Shingle deterioration or rotting can be brought on by algae, which is also a result of water damage.

In general, roofing inspectors will check your roof for various signs of damage and try to figure out the root cause of the issue. Theyll look for things like:

  • Water damage
  • Improperly installed or damaged flashing
  • Leaks
  • Ventilation issues

Once they spot the damage, they can assess how extensive the damage is and what caused it.

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