People only think about free roof inspections when they face severe issues with their roofs. Some homeowners may want to avoid professional roof inspections and try to figure it out alone. However, roof inspections require technical knowledge, skills, and tools.
If you’re wondering what inspectors do, or how a roof inspection can help you, this article covers the depths of this topic. You’ll be learning how roof inspections work, when is the right time for an inspection, and whether you need one right now.
What Does A Free Roof Inspection Includes?
Roof inspections are a service offered by professional roofing contractors where an inspector examines your roof for any issues and assesses its overall condition. It requires substantial experience and professional instruments to conduct a thorough roof inspection. Here’s a rundown of what roof inspectors may do during an inspection.
Exterior Inspection
This is the first step where the inspectors focus on the appearance of your roof to find uneven spots, shingle damage, sagging roof, or gutter damage. After that, they look for algae, warped flashing, holes, cracks, rot or rust, and other signs of roof damage.
Interior Inspection
After assessing the condition of your roof from above, the inspectors will examine your home’s interior for damage. They will check the attic, rafters, insulation, and ceiling for water stains, mold, pests, rot, and pungent smells. The inspectors use expensive professional tools like laser measures, moisture meters, cameras, lasers, and more to accurately assess the condition of your roof.
Advanced Inspection
You can ask a roofing contractor for an infrared or drone roof inspection which will typically cost more. These advanced technologies identify damages that are not visible to the human eye, and they can help prevent unexpected issues. Some highly experienced roofing contractors may not need these tools to assess your roof’s condition.
Now you should have a good idea of how a roof inspection works. It helps identify repair and prevent serious problems with your roof. However, many people don’t know when it’s time for a roof inspection. So, let’s look at the situations when you need a roof inspection and understand how it can help you.
When Do You Need A Roof Inspection?
Home improvement experts say: A new roof needs inspection every 3-5 years, depending on the local climate. If your roof is more than 20 years old, you must have your roof inspected once a year, just before winter sets in. Below are other situations that demand a roof inspection right away:
If You Have An Old Roof
If you have a new roof, it’s good to get an inspection after 5 years. If your roof is older than 25 years, and you haven’t had a qualified person inspect it since then, it’s time to get a free roof inspection. Shingle roofs have a limited lifespan of 30 years with good maintenance, and they can start withering earlier due to harsh weather conditions. A roof inspection will help prevent unexpected roof failures. It can be dangerous and destructive if your roof fails in the middle of the night or during heavy rain. Other than that, urgent repairs and replacements can be very costly.
After A Storm Passes Through
Tornadoes, thunderstorms, and hail can cause significant damage to your roof. When shock waves and swirling winds hit the deeper areas of your roof, you can’t assess damage without an inspection. After it’s safe to go out, call for a roof inspection. The inspectors will identify storm damage and suggest the best solutions. Timely repairs will ensure that roof damage won’t cause other problems throughout your home.
If The Shingles Are Damaged
Shingles cover the components of your roof, and they provide the first layer of protection from water, wind, hail, snow, pests, and other elements. They also have a layer of mineral granules in the end to prevent UV damage.
If you spot broken, uneven, or missing shingles, there’s a huge risk of roof leaks and damage to your attic, plumbing, electronic devices, and everything else that requires additional protection. If the shingles are in bad condition, it’s time to call a roof inspector.
When You Face Problems With The Attic Or Ceiling
Do you often see roof leaks and dark stains in the attic or ceiling? This means water is coming through the roof and, along with it, pests and other elements can be damaging your home. Attic and ceiling issues generally occur due to broken shingles, warped flashing, leaking skylights, and cracked chimneys.
If this happens, there’s no guarantee that things will stay out of your home. Water damage leads to mold, rot, algae, and an untimely roof failure. So if you are having trouble with the attic or ceiling lately, get a roof inspection before it reaches other parts of your home. A roof inspector will determine what’s causing the leaks, and they will suggest solutions to fix them permanently. Quick fixes may allow the damage to continue spreading throughout the roof, deteriorating it without your knowledge.
During Renovation Projects
If you’re planning a major renovation project, it’s the right time to have your roof inspected. It can help determine whether you need a new roof or to repair the existing one. A roofing contractor can also tell how much work needs to be done, and what it will cost to ensure that your roof is in good condition.
At this time, a professional inspection is worth every penny because it can save you thousands in unexpected repairs right after you renovate your home.
Before Buying A New Home
Before you purchase a house, you must ensure that the interiors and exteriors are in great shape. A roof inspection is a significant part of the process that will determine whether or not the roof needs to be repaired or replaced.
If the inspection points out some issues that need attention, you can discuss them with the seller. Otherwise, you may end up with a weak roof that might break down much quicker than you want. When you know your roof’s condition, will help you get good insurance coverage. Otherwise, you may end up replacing the roof of your new home and paying all the expenses from your pocket.
If you find yourself in any of these situations, it’s time to get a roof inspection. We understand it can be tough to make up your mind, so we’ve compiled these FAQs to shine more light on the topic.
Who Should I Call For A Free Roof Inspection?
Roofing contractors are professionals who inspect residential and commercial roofs. Look for a local roofing contractor or company with qualified and experienced inspectors. You can search online to find out about their reputation, achievements, and feedback from previous customers.
How Much Does A Roof Inspection Cost?
It may cost around $200 for a two-story home with an area of 1300 square feet. Depending on the labor charges of the inspector, circumstances, roof size, and complexity, you can expect to pay somewhere between $75 to $800. However, roofing contractors like Trusted Roofing provides free roof inspection to our clients.
How Long Does A Roof Inspection Take?
A roof inspection usually takes a few hours for the inspectors to finish. The duration can be anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours, depending on the method of inspection and the size of your roof. Large, complex roofing systems naturally take more time and labor.
At Trusted Roofing, we know it’s your right to be mindful of your home’s condition. This ensures the safety of your home and family at all times. We hope this article answers all your questions.
Do You Need A Roof Inspection?
Trusted Roofing is a full-service roofing company in Hendersonville, TN. We offer free roof inspections for all homeowners in the area. It’s our goal to give you much-needed peace of mind, and you can rely on our honest and experienced team to avoid expensive roof damage down the road.
Our team can help maintain your roof for many years to come. If you need a roof inspection, call us at (615) 205-2537 for a free roof inspection. Our inspectors will make it a smooth and stress-free experience for you!
