Roof Inspection Guide: Everything You Should Know

Your roof is the unsung hero of the home—protecting your family from harsh weather, extreme temperatures, and pesky critters. To keep your roof in fighting shape, it’s important to perform regular roof inspections. Roofing inspections will check for any issues that need repairing, out-of-place parts, and whether your roof is withstanding the test of time. But how does this differ from a normal home inspection, and how often do you need to check on your roof? Here’s everything you need to know about roof inspections.

What Is a Roof Inspection? 

A roof inspection is an important part of keeping your roof in tip-top shape. It's a good idea to get one done yearly as part of your preventative maintenance, but you can also call in an inspector if you suspect there are roofing issues. Also, it's a good idea to get a roof inspection done before buying a new home.

Just like you would have a plumber inspect your plumbing or an electrician inspect your electrical system, a roof inspector helps make sure your roof is functioning properly and alerts you to parts that are in need of repair or replacement. During an inspection, the inspector will check to see whether the roof is structurally sound, if the materials are in good shape, and whether there are any signs of damage inside the home. You may also need a roof inspection if you are looking to sell your home or need to understand how much longer your roof will last.

What Do Roof Inspectors Look For?

A roof inspector’s checklist will examine every component of a roof, including its structural support, the stability of the roofing material, and if there are any signs of damage throughout the ceiling and walls.

• Structural inspection: This will check how well the overall roof system is holding up and look for signs that point toward a sagging roof, including: cracked, splintered, or rotted rafters or trusses, sagging ceilings, missing or damaged collar ties, missing or damaged rafter ties, and exterior walls that are tilting or leaning. While the inspector is on the roof, they’ll also look at the condition of your soffit, fascia, and gutters. If you have any skylights, chimneys, or vents, they’ll check the grout, seals, and exterior for any signs of damage to these systems.

• Material inspection: The material portion of the roof inspection will focus on the roofing materials, including shingles, metal plates, clay, or even slate shingles. The inspector will examine them for any damages, missing materials, or staining from rust, moss, or water damage. The material inspection also includes checking the flashing underneath the roofing material for any signs of leaks, cracks, or pests.

• Interior inspection: The interior portion of the inspection will tackle any signs of damage to the roof that aren’t visible from the outside. Inspectors will check ceilings, attics, and even walls throughout the inside of the home. The signs will include: water stains, wood rot, mold, holes in the walls or ceilings, beams of light coming into the attic from the ceiling, and pests in the attic.

Why Do You Need a Roof Inspection?

You can hire a roof inspector near you to conduct a roof inspection for many reasons. For instance, you may have noticed a leak, and you want to ensure it isn’t coming from the roof. Or your area may have recently experienced high winds, and you want to check the roof for any debris or damage.

Here’s a quick rundown of why you might need a roof inspection:

• Annual maintenance inspection

• Noticed leaks coming from the ceiling

• Experienced a recent storm that included high winds, debris, and heavy rain or snow

• Preparing your home for hurricane or snow season

• Looking to sell or refinance your home

• If you’ve recently purchased a home without a home inspection

• Your insurance company has requested a roof inspection

How Often Should You Schedule a Roof Inspection?

Ideally, you should schedule a roof inspection at least once a year. It’s best to tackle this task either in the early fall or early spring before the amount of rain and snow starts to pick up. By conducting annual inspections, you can catch roofing problems early and avoid expensive repairs down the road. 

If you’ve recently purchased a home and the last time the roof was inspected was when it was installed, you should schedule a roof inspection, especially if you waived the home inspection during the buying process. After 10 years or more without a proper roof inspection, your roof may be working on borrowed time.

How Much Do Roof Inspections Cost?

On average, roofing inspections cost around $225. However, the price can range anywhere from $75 to $900, depending on the extent of the inspection, the design of your roof, and the type of roofing material. While some contractors offer a free roof inspection, be wary. You don’t want to fall victim to unnecessary or overpriced roof repairs.

• Physical roof inspection: This is the simplest type of roof inspection, and it relies mostly on visuals, as a pro will climb on your roof. The average physical roof inspection costs between $75 and $200.

• Drone roof inspection: Homeowners can request a drone roof inspection when getting onto the roof is too risky because it’s steep or severely compromised. A drone flies around the exterior of your house, capturing videos and photos. A drone roof inspection costs $150 to $400.

• Infrared roof inspection: Infrared roof inspections cost the most. Using infrared technology, inspectors look for signs of damage that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye, including small cracks and leaks. On average, an infrared roof inspection will cost around $400 to $600.

Home Inspections vs. Roof Inspections

When it comes to comparing home inspections and roof inspections, the two tasks are in two different ballparks, but they can be merged together. Almost all home inspections include a thorough roof inspection, as it is an integral part of the home, but it won’t be as focused as a dedicated roof inspection. 

“A home inspector is more often than not a generalist; while they may note roof issues, a roofing professional will have more insight,” says Ami Feller of Feller Roofing. “Also, unfortunately, some home inspectors never get on the roof and take the bulk of their photos from the ground or from the top of the ladder.”

 If this is the case, you should definitely hire a roofing professional to do an inspection. All three parts of the roof inspection will be included in a typical home inspection. But home inspections often forgo looking for pests and leave that up to the homeowner, whereas roof inspections consider pests to be one of their main concerns. Plus, you probably won’t get to request drone or infrared inspection options.

What Does a Roof Inspection Report Include?

Once the roof inspection is complete, the roof inspector should present you with a full report of their findings. If possible, they may also take you around the home to point out the signs of damage they noticed without bringing you onto the roof.

Each company is likely to have its own reporting system. If you’re doing a home inspection for insurance purposes, the insurance company will likely have its own report, too. The report will list the roof’s condition, any recommended repairs, any concerns of a roof failing, and how much longer they expect the roof to last.

If the roof inspection is performed by a roofing company, they may also provide you with an estimate to fix any problems. The cost of roof repairs will be anywhere from $400 to $2,000, depending on the extent of the repairs.

If the roof is failing in too many sections, you’ll likely need a new roof. The average cost of a new roof runs around $9,000, though it can vary greatly depending on its size, style, and material. Opting for a new roof may save you money in the long run if ongoing repairs are needed.

Who Does Roof Inspections?

A professional roof inspector near you can do your roof inspection. They have the expertise when it comes to identifying problems with your roof. On top of that, they also have the proper safety equipment, such as a harness, and may even have technology like drones and infrared equipment. 

If you want to do a simple visual inspection, you should only do so from the safety of a ladder being held by a buddy on the ground. If you don’t have prior roof experience or feel unsure about inspecting it yourself, your best bet is to call in the professionals. The value of an expert roof inspection is knowing that the job was done correctly, allowing you to move forward with repairs that will maintain your roof for years to come.