Roof inspections are critical to the overall maintenance and longevity of your home’s roof. Getting a professional roof inspection ensures that your roof is in tip-top shape and gives you a certain peace of mind that there’s no risk of further damage down the road.
We also want you to be informed about the benefits and expectations of getting your roof inspected, and you can learn more about that below.
10 Reasons to Get A Professional Roof Inspection
There are several reasons why you should get your roof inspected by a professional. We have 9 different reasons highlighted below, but here’s a sneak peek at that list:
- Detect Leaks Faster
- Improve Gutter Health with Proper Drainage
- Get a Destructive Roof Test Done
- Expose Potential Fire Hazards
- Provide Peace of Mind
- Boost Your Roof’s Lifespan
- Minimize Repair Costs
- Makes Filing Insurance Claims Easier
- Importance of Hiring A Reputable Roofing Contractor
- Know When to Replace Your Roof
All of these reasons equate to the larger benefit at hand: you will likely be able to go longer without replacing your entire roof and will avoid larger issues in the future.
If you want to know more about these benefits, keep reading below.
1. Detect Leaks Faster
One of the most important reasons for regular inspections is to be able to detect leaks as soon as possible. A leak in your roof is a hazard for your entire home, as leaks can cause some pretty bad water damage.
A roof leak can drip inside your house, run down walls, and cause pooling in areas that you may or may not be able to see.
A professional roof inspector has the tools and knowledge to recognize and pinpoint roof leaks before the damage is bad enough to impact the rest of your home. For those of you brave enough to try it on your own, here’s a step-by-step guide on How To Find A Roof Leak In Your Home.
2. Improve Gutter Heath with Proper Drainage
Proper drainage and gutter health are essential. This is something that you can probably see from the outside of your home without the help of an inspector.
But if there are any developing problems, then your roof inspector will be able to spot those right away. In fact, inspectors are required to inspect the gutters, including the downspouts, during a roof inspection.
A roof inspector will know whether your gutter system is the right size for your roof’s water runoff. They can also check it out for signs of crack, holes, rust, and leaking. And, of course, your roof inspector can let you know if your gutters are severely clogged up.
All of these issues can equate to poor drainage, which isn’t good for your roof. Clogged and poorly functioning gutters can lead to severe water damage.
Getting a roof inspection done will help guide you to the best fix. It can also help you ensure that water is being directed away from your foundation instead of towards it.
3. Get a Destructive Roof Test Done
Some inspection companies offer destructive tests. These tests allow the inspector to see where the damage came from, test for termites or other pests, and ensure that there aren’t any significant problems with the structure of your roof.
During a destructive roof test, a professional roofer will cut and remove layers of your roof until they locate the structural deck. From here, they can identify and likely resolve any issues with your roof before they get worse.
A destructure roof test can be done for termites, water, strength, and more.
4. Expose Potential Fire Hazards
When it comes to roofs, most of us are usually only concerned with leaks. You may not even be aware that your roof could hold potential fire hazards that can lead to roof fires. And actually, roofs are one of the main locations where house fires begin.
A roof fire can start for many different reasons. Here are the main ones:
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Poorly installed ceiling insulation
- Water damage near electrical work
- Flammable roofing materials
- Uncleaned Chimney
One or more of these items can put your home at risk of a dangerous roof fire. Even debris left on top of your roof can essentially serve as kindling if left unchecked.
By getting your roof inspected, not only can you rest well at night knowing there’s no risk of fire, but you can get debris cleaned off of your roof in the process.
5. Provide Peace of Mind
You don’t need to wait for something significant like a storm or a fallen tree branch to schedule a roof inspection. Many people choose to have an inspection done simply for the peace of mind that comes with it.
Most professionals recommend having a roof inspection done twice a year or every six months. If it’s been longer than that for your home, then it’s a good idea to have it done so that you can know your roof is in good shape.
That way, when the next storm hits, you can rest easy knowing your roof can handle the rain, wind, and hail coming your way.
6. Boost Your Roof’s Lifespan
A great reason to have your roof inspected is to extend its lifespan as long as possible. Roof replacements are not cheap. Most roof replacements cost around $500 per square foot. So the longer you can keep your current roof in shape, the less money it will cost you.
You can keep your roof in good shape with regular maintenance like cleaning and removing debris, but regular inspections are what will identify necessary repairs. The longer a repair gets put off, the more serious it can become.
If you can’t find the time to get your roof inspected biannually, aim to do so once a year. Some roofers say that you can even wait up to five years between inspections, so long as there haven’t been significant storms or damage in the meantime.
7. Minimize Repair Costs
As we mentioned above, the longer you wait to repair something on your roof, the worse the damage will get. Minor repairs such as loose or broken shingles can be quick, easy, and inexpensive to repair.
But if you let this kind of damage continue for too long, it can become a much larger, more expensive project. Repair costs can get hefty if you’re not careful and on top of it.
By having a roof inspection, you can identify when your roof should be repaired, and nothing is left undone for too long.
To minimize your repair costs, it’s vital to get your roof inspected and repaired if need be. Don’t put it off any longer.
8. Makes Filing Insurance Claims Easier
Roof insurance claims can be irritating and challenging to fill out. Even more frustrating is when your insurance company doesn’t want to accept your claim because you don’t have proper documentation of the damage or the condition of your roof before the damage.
A roof inspector will not only document the condition of your roof upon the time of inspection but can also be trusted as a third-party source when dealing with an insurance company.
A good roof inspector will also estimate the time of the damage and thus provide an honest representation of how insurance should handle the situation.
If your roof isn’t damaged, it’s always good to have a report that states what condition the roof is in. Scheduling regular inspections can ensure that you always have this paperwork current and on hand.
9. Importance of Hiring a Reputable Roofing Contractor
The roof of your house is one of the most significant portions of its structure. That being said, you must take good care of it so that it can take good care of you, your family, and your belongings.
One of the best ways to properly care for your roof is to work with a reputable roofing contractor. And a good roofing contractor should come with the following qualities:
- Expertise and experience in the field
- Knowledge and demonstration of safety measures
- Clear and honest communication
- Use of high-quality materials only
- Verifiable licenses and credibility
- Financing options
- Additional warranties following repairs
It’s always a good idea to meet with your contractor ahead of any significant repair work done to your roof to verify the information above. A reputable roofing professional should have no issues answering any questions or concerns that you have for them.
10. Know When to Replace Your Roof
Knowing when to replace your roof is always a challenge that homeowners have. Roofs do have an average lifespan, but sometimes they don’t last as long as they should due to adverse weather conditions or other external factors that cause the roof to wear more quickly.
A roof inspector can help you decide whether or not it’s time to replace your roof. They can even help estimate when your roof might be up for replacement if it’s still in good condition today.
If you’re looking for a roof inspection, contact WISA today for a FREE QUOTE. We’d love to take a look at your roof and ensure that everything checks out. Our professional team of roofers performs inspections all the time and helps our customers make the right decisions when it comes to their roofs.
If you’re looking for more information on roofing, siding, or other home maintenance tips, be sure to check out our blog.