Whether you’ve had your home for three years or 20 years, you might be wondering whether it’s time to have your roof evaluated. Some people may wait until they suspect that their roof has been damaged to call someone for an evaluation. While this approach is OK, it may be best to do regular inspections. This way, you can curtail significant issues before they start, and by doing so, you could save thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars!
If it’s been a while since you’ve had your roof inspected, you may have a lot of questions about how it all works and how much it costs. If this is you, we hope that this article can be of some help. Below, we will cover some basic roofing questions and provide you with general knowledge about how a roof inspection is done.
When to Schedule a Roof Inspection
If there has been a significant weather event, such as a hailstorm or severe snowstorm, scheduling a roof inspection as soon as possible is a good idea. Although it’s impossible to predict unforeseen events, it may be beneficial to ensure that your roof is in sound condition before winter arrives. We suggest that you have your roof inspection done in the fall. If repairs are needed, this will give the roofers enough time to work on the roof before frigid temperatures arrive and compromise the success of a new roof installation.
How Often Should You Have Your Roof Inspected?
They say that prevention is the best medicine – this applies to your roof, too! If you want to keep your house in good shape, the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that you have your roof inspected every two years. If you live in an area that experiences very severe weather changes, you may want to schedule them once a year.
How Much Does It Cost?
The cost of getting a roof inspection may vary based on which state you live in, the size of your home, and the material that your roof is made of. For example, if the roof has steep slopes, multiple levels, the roof inspector may charge an additional fee. According to HomeAdvisor, the average roof inspection ranges somewhere between $119 to $313, seldomly do inspections go as high as $600. Occasionally, some roofing companies will offer to do a basic inspection for free.
Types of Roof Evaluations
There are essentially two ways to inspect the roof of a home, physically or through the use of a drone. During a physical or “in-person” roof assessment, the roofing professional will use a ladder to climb up on your roof. From here, they will be able to inspect most areas of your roof visually. However, if a physical roof assessment is too dangerous for the individual or simply impossible to access in person, a drone can be used. Luckily, the advanced cameras that drones are equipped with nowadays can allow roofers to get crystal clear and accurate pictures – still allowing them to do a proper inspection without putting themselves at risk.
What To Expect During a Roof Evaluation
A roof inspector will be looking for any visible damage to your roof. Although many homeowners think they might be able to inspect themselves, a professional will have a trained eye and know exactly what to look for. A good roof inspector will typically check for issues in any of the following four categories: structural, material, interior, and workmanship.
Here is a summary of what the inspector will look for in each of these domains.
- Structure – uneven roof planes, signs of sagging, crumbling grout, improper venting from the attic.
- Material – Loose or missing shingles, stains, moss, rust, missing fasteners, deteriorating seals around vent pipes, or any other signs of gaps and deterioration.
- Interior – check interior ceilings, attic, and walls for mold, rot, or water stains.
- Workmanship – An experienced inspector will also check for signs of poor workmanship that may place the roof at risk for future damage. This could include incorrect flashings around the installments, such as vent pipes or skylights.
What Happens After?
After the roofing professional has completed their evaluation, they will provide you with a detailed report that will summarize the condition of your roof. The report will mention whether any repairs are necessary, and if so, how much they cost. If no repairs are needed, there’s a chance that your roof just needs a little TLC. The professionals will let you know what you will need to watch out for. If your roof is in tip-top shape, great! That’s a big weight off your shoulders. But be sure to speak with your inspector and schedule the next inspection so you can stay on track.
Be sure to get your roof properly evaluated. A & J Reliable has been covering the Tri-State area for over 40 years. Call or click today to get started.
