What to Look For in a Roofing Inspection

Roofing inspections are performed to look for signs of damage that may affect your home or other structures. These inspections are usually performed by paid contractors or home insurance companies.

These professionals look for issues with shingles and roof materials, as well as clogged gutters and vents that can cause water leaks. They also check for moisture, mold and mildew problems.

Inside and Outside Roof Inspection

Roofing inspections are a crucial part of maintaining your home’s health and structure. If problems are caught early, they’re easier to fix.

During a roof inspection, an expert will evaluate the interior and exterior of your home’s roofing system. They will also look at the gutters, flashing, and other important roof features.

In addition, they will check your shingles for loose, missing or curled shingles; stains; moss; and rust. They will also check for damage to rubber boots and seals around vent pipes, looking for gaps that could lead to water leaks.

As with all home inspections, a professional will provide you with a written report of their findings. This report should include photos and other details of their assessment.

Attic Ventilation Inspection

Attic ventilation plays a critical role in the long-term performance and durability of a roof. Well-ventilated attics dissipate heat in summer and remove humidity in winter to help keep the home comfortable, prolong shingle life and fight ice dams.

Ice dams form as snow melts on a home’s roof and runs down the eaves to freeze at the cold edge of the shingles. This can damage roofing materials and cause mold, mildew and wood rot.

If the attic isn’t properly ventilated, it can also become a breeding ground for mold. Cooper also checks for bathroom and kitchen exhaust vents that empty into the attic.

Inspecting attic ventilation can be a complex task, but it’s essential to ensure a properly functioning roof system that will serve the homeowner well for years to come. This can be accomplished by adding more soffit and ridge vents, installing solar attic fans or a whole house fan, and increasing the R-value of insulation to meet modern energy standards.

Soffit and Fascia Inspection

Roofing fascia is the vertical finishing edge that caps the end of your roof’s rafters, and is often where gutter attachments are made. It also helps shield your roof from rain, snow, ice and other weather damage by blocking water leaking from the roof.

A rotten or damaged fascia can cause your gutters to pull away from your home and sag, which can lead to overflowing or pooling water and potentially leaks. This is a serious issue, as it can allow moisture to seep into your attic and other parts of the home.

Soffit and fascia boards are also potential hiding places for pests like rats, mice, bees and wasps. These insects can nest in these areas and cause a variety of issues to your home, including mold growth.

Soffit and fascia inspections are essential to catching issues before they get worse, and can help prevent serious problems like termite infestations. Find a soffit and fascia contractor near you and schedule an inspection today!

Flashing Inspection

Roofing flashing is an important component of your roof system. It redirects rainwater and melted snow away from your home to deter water damage, and it’s often made of sturdy waterproof metals like copper or aluminum.

A professional contractor can install flashing around doors, gutters, skylights and other roof features. Without it, water can leak into your house from these openings and cause rotted wood and structural damage.

Sometimes, it can be a challenge to get flashing on your roof again after it’s been removed during repairs. Some types of flashing, such as step flashing, can be more difficult to separate from old shingles without denting them.

When you have your roof inspected, your inspector will likely report on any problems with flashing that might require repair. In addition, he or she may also note other issues that can affect the integrity of your roof and your home.