Experts recommend that you have your roof inspected by a professional at least once a year, as well as after a major storm comes through – and for good reason. When you identify and repair roof problems early, you can put off a complete roof replacement; that saves you time and money. But what should you expect from a free roof inspection, what will happen if your inspector discovers problems, and what happens next? This guide explains.
What You Can Expect From a Free Roof Inspection
First things first: If it’s been more than a year since a professional inspector climbed up on your roof to look for problems, stop what you’re doing and call us now. Our team will schedule a time for your free, no-strings-attached roof inspection. That way, you’ll know whether your roof is still performing its best to protect your home and everything (and everyone) in it. If it’s not, we’ll recommend repairs; then, we’ll work with you to develop a plan to keep your roof in great shape for the rest of its lifespan.
Related: Everything you need to know about residential roofing
How a Roof Inspection Works
When you schedule your free roof inspection, we’ll set up a time that works around your busy schedule. We’ll send a skilled, highly trained roof inspector to your home when it’s convenient for you.
Your inspector will climb on your roof and check every square inch of it for damage. Inspectors look for issues such as:
- Cracked, curling, broken or missing shingles
- Bald spots on shingles
- Cracked or damaged flashing (the material that seals the areas around chimneys, skylights, vents and other things that stick out from your roof)
- Damaged or broken gutters
- Blistering or peeling paint on the fascia (the boards that face out under your roof’s overhang)
- Signs of hail damage
- Popped or missing nails
- Exposed roofing materials
- Signs of water incursion (leaks)
Your inspector will also check out your attic to look for signs of leaks and other types of damage to your roofing materials. Depending on your roof’s size, your inspector could spend a half-hour to a couple hours checking for damage.
What Happens When the Inspector is Finished?
After the inspection, you’ll get a complete report of the issues (if there are any) that your inspector found. Your report will detail the condition of your roof, and your inspector will talk to you about the findings. If there’s nothing wrong with your roof, that’s great – your inspector will simply let you know that everything is in great shape, give you a card and let you know that our team is here for you if anything comes up.
Related: How to find a trustworthy roofing contractor
Common Issues After Roof Inspections
If your inspector does find issues, they’ll explain all your options. Some of the most common issues our inspectors find include:
- Broken or cracked shingles
- Missing shingles
- “Bald spots” on shingles
- Damaged flashing
Each of these issues could spell trouble for your roof, but the good news is that the sooner you have them fixed, the less likely they are to cause serious damage.
Broken and Cracked Shingles
Your roof shingles are the outermost layer of protection for your home. They prevent water from getting into your roofing materials, and they block out pests. They also protect the materials beneath them from wind damage, hail damage and sun. When they’re broken or cracked, they create an avenue for damage – including water; that means these shingles need to be replaced as quickly as possible.
If you catch broken and cracked shingles early enough, before there’s much time for water and other weather events to cause damage, you can replace them and forget about them. However, if you wait too long – or if they’re broken or cracked during a storm – there’s a chance that water may have found a way into your roofing materials. Though sometimes the damage may seem minor, water has a way of making it much more sever.
Your roof inspector will suggest that you replace broken and cracked shingles right away to continue protecting your roof.
Related: Can roof maintenance programs save you money?
Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to have an inspector check out your roof to look for damage you can’t see from the ground. Sometimes broken and cracked shingles are in odd places – and sometimes they don’t look broken or cracked at first glance. That’s why you need a set of professional eyes on your roof at least once a year, and certainly after a major storm blows through.
Missing Shingles
Shingles that are missing can’t protect your roofing materials from the elements, and for each one that isn’t in its proper place, there’s a pathway for water and pests to get in. Like broken and cracked shingles, you may not be able to see missing shingles from the ground – and that’s why a professional inspector should climb up on your roof to look for trouble spots every year.
Bald Spots on Shingles
Shingles have an outer layer made from tiny granules. These granules are part of what makes them water-resistant, and they help rainwater and melted snow run off in the right direction. Over time, though, the protective granules can come loose from your shingles (and the granules can be knocked off by hail, debris and, in some cases, even strong winds). When the granules are gone, your shingles lose a layer of protection; that weakens their integrity.
If your shingles look like they have “bald spots,” that’s because the granules have come off. However, you may not notice shingles that look this way – instead, you may find tiny granules in your gutters, on the ground beneath your roof line, and near your downspout. When you find shingle granules in any of these places, you should schedule a free roof inspection as soon as possible. Your roofing materials may be damaged, or they may be getting old – and they may not be protecting your home like they should.
Related: Warning signs that your roof is failing
Damaged Flashing
Flashing is the material that roofers put in place around things that stick out from your roof, such as chimneys, skylights and vents. It helps keep water from seeping into areas that shingles can’t cover properly. Though flashing is typically tough, it can fail – and if it does, there’s a chance that water can get into your roofing materials.
Your inspector will check the flashing around everything on your roof to ensure that it’s adhered tightly and won’t allow water (or pests) into your roofing materials. Usually, flashing repair is a simple fix – but it’s one that you need to address immediately, because once water finds a way into your roofing materials, it can cause serious (even catastrophic) problems.
How Do You Get a Free Roof Inspection?
Getting a free roof inspection from New View Roofing is simple. All you need to do is call us or request a free roof inspection online. We’ll set up a time that’s convenient for you, and we’ll send a highly trained professional to your home or business. We offer everyone a free inspection once a year, so if it’s been a while since the last time you had your roof checked out by a professional, now is a great time to take advantage of this service.
