How A Roof Inspection Can Save You Thousands

By and large, homeowners don’t call a licensed roofing contractor until the damage is done – missing shingles or tiles, major leaks, or moisture penetration caused by structural damage. By that time, repair costs necessary to fix latent issues – or major calamities –already reach the triple or quadruple digits. If the damage is so bad that you need a full roof replacement, you’re now into the tens of thousands of dollars.

Scheduling a professional roofing inspection at least once every two years (assuming the homeowner it performing routine inspections at least twice each year) catches potential issues before they become significant, expensive problems.

Here’s a simple comparison for you:

• Cost of the average roof inspection: FREE to $300, depending on the contractor
• Cost of the average roof repair: $300 (minor repairs) to $3000 (major repairs)
• Cost of the average roof replacement: $9,000 to $15,000 on upwards, depending on the size of your home and the roofing materials selected

Ironically, minor repair costs ($300 and lower), are typically performed as the result of a roof inspection, because minor issues are typically invisible unless you’re intentionally inspecting the roof!

5 Things We’ll Notice & Correct During A Professional Roof Inspection

Here are some of the things we can correct and repair as the result of a roof inspection, protecting the roof from irreversible damage.

Missing or damaged roof materials

The shingles, roof tiles, fasteners, and the gutter/downspout system protect your home from the elements. If any of them are damaged or missing, the roof and the structural elements below (underlayment, framing materials, vapor barriers, and insulation, etc.) are vulnerable. We’ll notice sealing or structural issues with skylights or roof windows that may not be evident from the interior.

Your roof inspector will make a list of any yellow and red flags and report them to you, along with suggestions and an estimate for repair costs, so you can decide how to proceed.

Evidence of algae or moss

It may look pretty, or seem cottage- or green roof-like I appearance, but any evidence of algae or moss on a roof is bad news. Once those colonies take hold, they’re breaking down the structural components of your roofing material(s). They can also wick moisture through to the interior of your home.

Cutting back trees can help, but once algae and moss are established, the roof requires a thorough cleaning. This is a potential DIY task, and part of routine roof maintenance, but you must take precautions to secure yourself to prevent falling or injury.

Since the average cost of roof cleaning is about $15 to $30 per square foot of roof, most homeowners opt to hire a professional – and rope a roof inspection into the deal.

Evidence of ponding or pooling water

Flat roofs have trended from time to time, and are popular in commercial applications – partially because they’re cheaper to build. However, roof slopes are more about functional design than aesthetics. Your sloped roof ensures water can’t pool or collect, putting your home at risk for leaks.

If we see evidence of ponding or pooling water, we’ll look for the source and suggest repairs, ranging from clearing clogged drainage lines or redesigning gutters/downspouts to re-pitching the roof.

Cracked, rusted, or loose components

Roofing systems made from multiple components and an issue with anyone of them compromises the hole. While we’re up on the roof, we’ll look for evidence of cracking, rusted, loose or missing components including:

• Caulking and sealing
• Flashing
• Chimney caps, mortar or bricks/stones
• Gutters
• Rubber boots around pipes or other projections

We’ll also look at all the awkward locations that are hard to access on your own – like the eaves, overhangs, and undersides of gutters.

Routine maintenance during a roof inspection

As long as they’re up there, your roof inspector will perform some of the general roof maintenance items that are recommended to retain your roof’s warranty:

• Removing debris (branches, leaves, twigs, miscellaneous debris that blew in from stores, pest or bird nests, etc.
• Cleaning clogged gutters and downspouts
• Reattaching loose shingles or tiles
• Repairing/replacing sealing and caulking
• Washing small areas of algae or moss growth

Proving your roof has been maintained as per manufacturer’s instructions will expedite homeowner’s insurance claims as well as any warranty items that need to be addressed over the roof’s lifetime.

Call Us For Your Next Roof Inspection

Central Bay Roofing provides honest and dependable roof inspections, repairs and replacements for both home and business owners. We perform high-quality inspections and repairs, so clients never need to replace their roof unless it’s past it’s 20 to 30-year life expectancy. Contact us to schedule your free estimate and inspection.