New Roof Inspection CheckList : What to Look for & How it Works

roof-inspection-checklist

It is a known fact that a lot of the house owners take their roofs for granted. Until or unless the roof has become a victim of water damage or structural damage, no one would like to hire a roofing expert to inspect or repair the issue. Keep in mind that a roof if your house's first line of defense against all the external elements. And your roof does withstand a lot of wear and tear from time to time. This is why experts suggest that you keep a profound roof inspection checklist and examine the roof twice in a year.



Note: Hiring one of the top roof inspectors to examine the condition of your roof will guarantee that small issues of the roof will not lead to significant problems. 

In this article, we have compiled a list of almost all the things that you'd need to understand for a roof inspection. This roof inspection checklist will help you in determining whether your roof is in good shape or not. If not, then what you'll need to do for it. 

Step-By-Step Guide: Roof Inspection Checklist

Keep in mind that regular roof inspection will help you in preventing expensive repairs in the future. To be honest, a roof inspection is one of the most vital preventative jobs that is very easy to overlook. It is highly suggested that you don’t overlook roof inspection. This is because a damaged roof will compromise the safety of the house. 

What To Look For? 

Roof inspection does not at all mean that you start walking on the roof. Walking on a damaged roof is quite dangerous and it is best that you leave such a task to the certified roof inspection. So, the first thing is that you should try to stay off the roof of your house. 

If you are still tempted to inspect the roof, you can do it from the ground or through the window. This is known as a visual inspection of the roof. Yes, you can use a pair of binoculars. 

It doesn't matter how expensive a roof might be, each residential or commercial roof is designed to age over time. A one-year-old will look different from once it was first installed. However, if you spot the issues early, you can have them repaired before the small problem escalates into a bigger issue. 

You should also look for missing, or loose shingles, they are a clear indication of a roof that is wearing out or deteriorating. Weak spots of the roof can cause the water to penetrate into the house and cause roof leaks. 

Getting A Closer Look At The Roof 

Most of the time, you will be able to inspect the condition of the roof from the ground or through the window. But a closer look might also be imperative. You can either climb the roof on your own or hire a professional roof inspector to do it for you. Because walking on the roof is not only dangerous for a person’s safety, but you might even damage the shingles even more. 

Inspecting The Roof Inside-Out

Now that you have probably inspected the roof from the outside, it is time for you to check the roof from the inside as well. For this, you will need to have a torch or a flashlight, inspect the top room of your house after a heavy rainstorm. 

See if you can notice signs of water damage or see freshwater stains. Also, notice if the insulation of the roof has gotten wet. If you've noticed such things from the inside of the roof; your roof might have a leak. This is also one of the vital roof inspection checklist points that you need to consider. 

How Does Roof Inspection Work

It is recommended by the leading certified roof inspectors that you get your roofs inspected at least once in a year. The below-given factors are what you can expect from roof inspection. 

Inspecting The Interior: 

The main thing a roofer will do is investigate within the home for proof of water damage. Now and again, they will check your upper room for indications of roof aging, cracks, mold, and mildew. Any cracks in your rooftop will be examined by searching for dashes of light entering all things considered. Your roof inspector may likewise suggest you install insulation if your home doesn't have it to forestall heat loss too.

Inspecting The Exterior: 

The following thing that a roofer will do is check the outside of your rooftop for indications of roof damage. This will incorporate inspecting and recording things like missing shingles, cracks, damaged flashing, and split caulk. 

Since walking on your rooftop can be amazingly perilous and conceivably cause damage to your rooftop's shingles and creases, it is significant you don't endeavor to do this without anyone's help.

Roof Repair Estimates: 

Upon culmination of the roof inspection, the professional adjusting your home will set up an estimated price and the nature of damage to your rooftop, the expense of materials, and work. In the event that the inspection was mentioned corresponding to a pending land deal, both the purchasing and selling parties are to be given a report itemizing the state of the rooftop, any suggested repairs, and their assessed costs.

Question To Ask The Roof Inspector

In our roof inspection checklist, we have a couple of questions that you need to ask the roofing inspectors. Don’t be shy to ask these questions because honestly, you are paying for the job; you deserve to know each and everything. 

Q: How Old Is The Roof? 

According to the NRCA, most of the roofing systems will remain in their prime condition for a couple of decades. Whereas, if the roof is being repaired or maintained from time to time, their materials can last longer than average. 

The older the roof is, the more it becomes vulnerable to damages and leaks. So, ask the age of your roof in order to know when you’ll have to replace it. 

Q: What Type Of Materials Were Used? 

We all know that a lot of roofs have been made by asphalt. This is because it is one of the most popular materials that has and is being used for roofing systems. You can always discuss with your roof inspector what type of roofing materials were used on your roof. And also ask what the best time is to hire a professional for roof maintenance or roof repair. 

Q: Is The Roof Ventilated?

Keep in mind that the roof will get overheated if the rooftop is not well-ventilated! Once the rooftop begins to overheat, the shingles will start to become brittle, and they'll get inefficient. This simply implies that they'll become pretty loose and will fall off during storms and rainfall.

Q: When Should I Replace The Roof? 

A reliable roofing inspector will easily be able to tell you when your house will need a new roof. They will assess the condition of the roof and provide you with a clearer picture of the timeline that you need to expect. 

With such information, you will come to know that how long you have to save in order to get a new roof. 

Q: Will The Inspection Be Documented? 

Did you know the residential or commercial roofing inspectors usually need CAD drawings, the Ariel view shots, or even schematics that will outline the condition of the roof? These documents will be sufficient to assess the overall condition of the roof and also plan the forthcoming roofing verdict. 

Keep in mind that your roofing inspector should not have any issues when it comes to providing photo proof of the roof damage or the repair. However, if is hesitant in providing images of the repair or inspection, you should know that he is hiding something. 

Q: What Will Be The Cost Of The Project? 

When you interview the certified roof inspector, you need to ask them to inspect the condition of the roof and also provide an estimate for the overall project. Don’t forget to get estimates from more than three inspectors. This will help you in knowing the upfront cost of the project and also the provision of the roofing inspector. 

Q: Are You Licensed And Insured? 

Hiring a licensed and insured roofing inspector will get you instant peace of mind. This is because you know that they’re rigorously trained to perform the services you’ve hired them for. And if anything bad happens during their provision of work, the roofers will be held liable to fix it without asking for more money. 

Q: Which Material Are You Experienced With?

The most popular roofing materials are TPO, EPDM, and the built-up. This is because they have different compositional makeup and each of them have a unique benefit. So, make sure that you’re roofing contractor is experienced with all the listed roofing materials. 

Final Thoughts

Asking the above-mentioned questions will help you in finding and hiring the top roofing contractor each time. However, these questions are not the only ones that you need to be asking your roofer.

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