Roof Inspection Guide

Who Benefits from A Formal Roof Inspection?

Roof inspections are requested by real estate companies for properties that are either listed for sale or pending contracts. A roofing inspection may also be requested by the real estate buyer if the seller does not provide this information. Buyers should check for any roof problems before making a purchase. Some real estate property owners conduct an annual roof inspection as part of their property maintenance. Consistent roof maintenance extends the useful life of any roof!

Skywalker Roofing Has Over 100 Years of Combined Experience

Roof inspections, which are obtainable from Skywalker Roofing for a small fee, differ from getting a free estimate for roof repairs (that we also provide) in that they are more detailed. In addition to the roof itself, the entire building is evaluated inside and out. The inspection report also may become one of the the required steps to complete a real estate transaction.

Helpful Hint: For any immediate troubles, such as leaks, get a free roof repair estimate from Skywalker Roofing as soon as possible. The repairs should be made right away to avoid further damage to the building’s structure and/or its contents.

What Does A Roof Inspection Include?

The inspector will come to the property and first take a look at the overall appearance of the roof by checking the exterior and then inspecting the interior for evidence of leaks or roof damage. Throughout the inspection, the inspector takes digital video to create the report. After the inspection, the inspector prepares an estimate of the repair costs.

On the roof, the inspector looks to see if there is any surface degradation and/or any obvious damage to the roof. The inspector checks the condition of any chimneys, drains, fascia, gutters, skylights, and vents. The inspector also takes a look at any areas where water may collect, such as valleys in the roof where different sections connect.

Inside the building or home, the inspector looks for evidence of ceiling cracks, water stains from previous leaks, and active leaks that have made the walls or ceiling damp in places. While you’re thinking about it, go ahead and give us a call at ☎ 336-627-5596 to schedule your roof inspection now, so you don’t forget to do it!

If the roof is shingled, the inspector notes any warped, curled, broken, or missing shingles. For tiled roofs, the inspector looks for broken or missing tiles. For asphalt roofs or other roof coverings, the inspector looks for places where the asphalt was not installed properly, is worn down, or has deteriorated. All of these items may be a source of leaks now or sometime in the future.

Exterior Roof Area Checklist

When examining the exterior roofing, if the roof inspector notices something out of the ordinary, it may warrant further in-depth inspection, even in ways that are not listed here. An example of this is removing a part of a roof covering to look at the condition of what is underneath. Our roofing inspectors have many years of experience in seeing potential problems that might later require significant repairs. These issues are better dealt with in a proactive manner before a bigger problem occurs.

Here is a checklist of some of the items that are examined and identified as part of a comprehensive exterior roofing inspection:

• Shingles with severe blisters or those that are warped, curled, broken, or split
• Shingles that are loose or missing on the roof and at the hip or ridgelines
• Shingles with broken seals at connection points
• Shingles with excessive loss of granules
• Eaves and gutters that do not provide proper overhangs for shingles
• Nails that are exposed or loose
• Nails that have popped up from being improperly seated during installation
• Flashing that is missing
• Flashing that shows signs of needing more caulk to be sealed properly
• Metal flashing that shows excessive corrosion or is rusted out
• Cracks in chimneys
• Rubber boots around vent pipes that are cracked or worn
• Vent pipes that easily move when touched (this may indicate dry rot below the roof surface)
• Downspouts and gutters that are damaged
• Damaged or rotted fascia board
• Siding that extends above the roofline level

Interior Roof Area Checklist

When examining the interior of a home or a building, it is important to look for present troubles as well as evidence of past damage. The reason for this is that roof leaks have a tendency to grow more serious after they begin. For example, a small roof leak which went unnoticed during last year’s rainy season, may turn into a much more serious leak this year. To the well-trained eye of our roof inspectors, a tiny leak that leaves just a little bit of evidence in the interior is something that draws their attention.

Here is a checklist of some of the items that are examined, measured, and identified as part of a comprehensive interior roofing inspection:

• Roof sheathing is checked for cracks
• Measurements and calculations are made to determine if attic ventilation is sufficient
• Intake air vents in the attic are checked for adequate ventilation
• Decking between rafters is checked for sagging
• Attic is checked for any external light that comes through the roofing
• Exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen are checked for adequate ventilation
• Chimneys, vents, and other things going through the roof are checked for leaks

Importance of an inspection

Smart homeowners know the value of properties in tip-top condition. To keep it in good shape, they follow simple advice: know the house inside out, particularly the roof.

You never know what’s happening under those shingles. Neglecting regular inspections might result in a serious leak or worse. In the long run, this neglect could compromise your home or your quality of life.

Regular roof inspections offer peace of mind, and may also provide improved insurance premiums or vital building code compliances.

Other reasons to have an inspection include:

Storm damage evaluation

Insurance mandated inspection

Buying or selling your property