What to Look For in a Roof Inspection

Most people can spot a missing shingle or granules in the gutter, but professional inspectors are trained to notice more serious damage that the average person could miss. They also examine the condition of pipe boots and other roof penetrations to ensure that a proper seal is maintained to prevent water infiltration.

Roof Inspection

As part of a roof inspection, professionals will look at the exterior and interior of the home’s roof. They’ll look for signs of wear and tear or aging, including any curled or missing shingles, as well as areas where debris has collected. The inspector will also check the roof’s ventilation to ensure there isn’t an excessive buildup of moisture inside the attic. Visit Website to learn more.

Residential properties are significant investments, and regular visual inspections help keep them in good condition. This is especially important in areas where severe weather events frequently occur. A poorly maintained roof can become damaged quickly, and it’s important to catch problems before they escalate into costly repairs or replacements.

During the pre-inspection phase, professional roof inspectors will review any photos, drawings or documents related to the roof, including building plans, warranty information, and previous repair work. This helps them understand the background of a specific roof, and can provide insights that might not be immediately obvious to the untrained eye.

During the inspection, professional inspectors will use ladders and other equipment to observe the roof surface and any attached components. They will also check the gutters and downspouts to ensure they’re not clogged, as this can cause water to accumulate in sections of the roof and lead to structural damage. They will also check for any leaks in the roof membrane, and around any chimneys, vents or skylights. They may also check for flashing issues and examine the seals around chimneys, skylights, and other roof fixtures to make sure they’re intact.

Thermal Imaging

During this stage, your inspector will look for debris that needs to be removed from the roof. They will also check for evidence of ponding water including color changes in the roof material or water stains. This is a very important step since standing water can cause severe structural damage over time.

They will examine the fascia boards that run along a roof’s edges as well as soffit boards that cover the underside of a roof overhang. They will look for rot, cracking or other signs of damage to these boards, which play an important role in keeping the rain and snow out of the house. Your inspector will also check for rust on the thin metal flashing that lines penetrations such as skylights, chimneys and vent pipes.

A professional roof inspection will also include a thorough examination of the attic space, including insulation and ventilation. The attic is where many roof leaks begin, and a proper inspection will reveal whether or not there is enough insulation to prevent heat transfer and moisture buildup in the attic.

The next step of a thorough roof inspection is to inspect the attic hatch and any vents, fans and other accessories that may be installed in your attic. Often, these components are subjected to a great deal of pressure and will show signs of wear and tear over time. Your inspector will check the condition of these items and make any recommendations based on their findings.

Some defects are difficult to detect with the naked eye, and this is where a thermal imaging camera can come in handy. Infrared cameras translate the thermal energy emitted by objects into a visible image, which can help identify areas with unbalanced levels of heat or moisture that can indicate issues such as leaks or rot.

Depending on your situation, you may be interested in getting your roof certified or conducting a routine home inspection. These services are a great way to keep your roof in top condition and extend its lifespan. The cost of these services varies depending on where you live, the type of roofing materials used in your home and the number of features and accessories that need to be inspected.

Thermography

The roof over your head may seem like a passive feature of your home, but it’s actually an entire working system that sheds rain, keeps wind and snow out and allows air to circulate. Like your HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems, it requires periodic inspections to maintain its health and efficiency.

During a roof inspection, the roofing professional will examine both the exterior and interior of your roof to spot potential problems. This can include checking attic or crawl space conditions, examining shingles for signs of damage and assessing the condition of flashing, gutters and downspouts.

As part of an infrared roof inspection, the roofing contractor will use a thermal imager to detect surface and subsurface anomalies. This is accomplished by applying a standard material with a known high emissivity to the object being scanned. The difference in emissivity between the standard material and the object being scanned reveals the temperature of the latter.

Since thermography doesn’t require physical contact with a system, it can be used in hazardous or restricted access areas. This non-destructive method can catch deteriorating components by picking up higher temperatures that are indicative of failure. It’s also useful for determining the source of moisture within walls or attics.

While some issues are obvious and easy to identify, others can be nearly impossible to see until they’ve caused significant damage. To prevent this, it’s important to schedule regular roof inspections and have any major issues identified and repaired as soon as possible.

This will help keep your roof in good shape and help you avoid costly repairs down the road. It’s also a good idea to have a roof inspection done before putting your property on the market. This will give the real estate agent and mortgage appraiser a clear picture of the condition of your roof.

The roofing experts at Royal Renovators have extensive experience with a wide range of roof types, materials and styles. We offer infrared roof inspections, as well as visual and physical inspections. Our services can be scheduled as part of a routine maintenance plan or in response to a suspected problem.

Visual Inspections

While a roof might seem like an insignificant component of the home, it is actually a whole working system. It sheds rain, keeps wind and snow out, helps air circulate, and protects the rest of the house from moisture damage. As such, it is a considerable investment that deserves thorough inspections to ensure it remains functional.

A professional roofing inspector will perform a visual examination of the entire roof surface, looking for areas that need attention. This includes any buckling or curling shingles, which provide easy access for water to leak into the house. In addition, the roofing company will examine any dark spots or staining on the interior ceiling that could indicate the presence of a roof leak.

Inspectors will also pay close attention to the condition of shingle flashing around any penetrations, such as chimneys and vent pipes. They will check for rust or cracks in the thin metal that lines these penetrations, as well as any deterioration in the caulking. Inspectors will also examine fascia boards, which run along the edge of a roof, and soffit boards, which cover the underside of roof overhangs, for any signs of damage or rot.

Finally, a roof inspection will include an evaluation of the roof ventilation system, which is vital to maintaining proper temperatures and regulating humidity. If the attic is accessible, the inspector will look for signs of moisture intrusion, such as mold and water stains, and note whether or not the attic has adequate insulation. If the attic is insulated, the inspector will check for ridge vents, soffit vents, and gable vents to ensure that they are functioning properly.

It is important to keep in mind that a roof can experience extensive damage from severe weather conditions, such as hail or high winds. As such, a roof inspection should be performed after each heavy storm to ensure that no underlying problems have developed. For this reason, it is a good idea to have an annual inspection by a reputable roofing company. This will help prevent costly repairs and maintenance down the road, and protect the value of the home.