A roof inspection is one of the essential parts of the investment process when purchasing a property. You may be wondering why you need a roof inspection, but the reason is straightforward. You do not want to buy a roof that can crack in a year or two or one that is leaking. Roofs need to be inspected so that you can spot problems before they become large enough to be a problem. The best time to have your roof inspected is before you start to use the house for some time. If you are buying a home, mainly if it is located in an area prone to hurricanes, heavy rains, or snow, it is critical to have the roof inspected as soon as possible.
Roof inspections are also not like home inspections where you pull up the house’s exterior and look at the house from the ground up. Roof inspections are more thorough and more detailed than just looking at the surface. Roofers will pull up certain portions of the roof and assess them for shingles, nails, decay, and any other issues that might affect the roof’s structural integrity. Roof inspectors will not just climb up onto the roof or pull down shingles; they will inspect all cracks, gaps, and rotations. They will be looking for leaks, cracks in shingles, missing or loose shingles, missing tiles, damaged flashing, cutting pre-existing masonry, and lousy repair jobs.
One of the reasons that it is important to have a roof inspection done by a professional roofing contractor is because a roof inspection can reveal areas of weakness in the roof which can be easily concealed by painting or filler. Another reason is that checking the area between the roof and ceilings is another weak area that can easily be concealed without painting. However, paint or filler cannot conceal problems which exist in the attic, which are usually much more expensive to repair. A qualified roofing contractor can easily uncover areas of weakness and repair them before they become a huge issue.
If you are purchasing a new home, it is important to have your new home roof inspected annually by a certified roofing company. These professionals will be able to determine whether or not repairs are necessary and if so, what repairs need to be made. In addition, they can recommend materials, products, and styles to help reduce your energy consumption. This is especially important for homes located in climates which tend to heat up quickly such as Texas, Florida, or even Arizona. Homes in these climates need to make sure that their roofs can resist intense heat and that their insulation is in excellent shape. In some cases, the roof inspection is actually optional; depending on the size and type of home, many builders and sellers will perform the inspection on their own before putting the home on the market.
If there are visible signs of wear and tear in your home roof such as cracks, missing shingles, or major storm damage, it may be time to have your roof inspection conducted. Storm damage can result in leaks, which will then require repairs. Even if the roof is structurally sound, if there are visible signs of wear and tear, a roofing professional may be able to detect leaks and repair them before they become a major problem. Some leaks can be detected without performing a roof inspection; for example, tree sap or paint can leak into a gutter and deposit themselves in the cavities of a roof.
Another reason to have an annual roof inspection is to avoid having to pay an excessive repair bill due to undetected damage. This can also save you money, as some repairs, such as replacing flashing and gutter covers can be costly. If you live in an area which experiences strong thunderstorms, it is even more important to schedule an inspection. If your roof has a few visible signs of damage such as holes, missing shingles, or severe cloudiness, it is recommended to have an inspection performed to determine whether or not the damage is likely to incur a large repair bill.
New roof inspectors and engineers perform more thorough inspections of your home than any other homeowner, because they are specially trained to detect problems before they become significant issues. In addition to inspecting the attic, a new roof inspector will evaluate your gutters, downspouts, chimneys, flues, insulation, seals, drip trays, flashings, and more. Most inspectors also inspect your attic to check for conditions that would negatively impact the longevity of your new roof. These conditions include rotting interior walls and ceiling insulation, mold, mildew, moisture, and structural damage which would negatively impact the life expectancy of your roof. New roof inspectors are very thorough, taking great care to examine each aspect of your home to ensure that your new roof will provide many years of outstanding service.
Having a complete roof inspection performed by a qualified and experienced roofing professional will not only ensure that your new roof is constructed with quality materials and technology, it will also provide you with a comprehensive report on the condition of your home’s roofing system. This report will include photographs of all repairs, if repairs are necessary, and a detailed description of the damage. A qualified roofing professional will not only suggest the best course of action for repairing your home’s roof, he or she will also be able to offer advice on how long your new roof will last, what type of repairs may be required, and whether or not other roofing repairs may be required. A thorough roof inspection by a qualified professional will provide you with a better understanding of your roofing needs and an opportunity to choose the right solution for protecting your home and its value.