The roof is one of the most essential parts of your home. It protects your family from extreme temperatures, harsh weather, and pesky critters. Despite its importance, sometimes the roof is neglected. We often forget that it is vulnerable to different elements, and its shape needs to be checked. To keep your roof in fighting shape, it is necessary to perform a regular roof inspection.A roof inspection will help you see the condition of your home’s roof. This will check if any issues need to be repaired, if out-of-place items can damage your roof, and if your roof can withstand the test of time.
How Often Should You Schedule a Roof Inspection?
If you are wondering how often you should get your home inspected, the answer will be annual. Ideally, a roof inspection should be scheduled at least once a year. Especially if your area usually experiences high winds, having your roof checked annually is a must. You can tackle this task in the early fall or spring before the amount of rain and snow starts to pick up. You can see the roofing issues early and avoid expensive repairs by doing an annual inspection.
How Much Do Roof Inspections Cost?
The average roof inspection costs around $210. However, the [rice can range anywhere from $75 to $800 depending on the design of your roof, the type of roofing materials used, and the extent of the inspection.
Types of Roof Inspection
There are different types of roof inspection, and the prices also differ depending on what kind of roof inspection you decide to have.
Physical Roof Inspection
This type of inspection involves someone climbing onto the roof to perform the inspection. This is the simplest type of roof inspection and is suitable for homes that are not that high. This roof inspection relies mainly on visuals; the average cost ranges from $75 to $200.
Drone Roof Inspection
The homeowner can opt for a drone roof inspection if there’s too much risk of getting onto the roof. A drone flies around the house’s exterior, providing pictures and videos to see if there are issues that need to be repaired. This is suitable for homes with steep or unwalkable roofs.
Infrared Roof Inspection
This roof inspection uses infrared technology to look for signs of damage that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. This includes small cracks and leaks. An infrared roof inspection costs more than a typical home inspection. It costs around $400 to $600.
What’s Included in a Roof Inspection?
The roof inspection will thoroughly examine every component of the roof to see if any signs of damage or issues need to be addressed. A roof inspection includes:
Structural Inspection
The structural inspection will check how well the overall roof system is holding up. Based on how the roof planes are laid out, the inspector will look for any signs that may lead toward a sagging roof, such as 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.The inspection is focused on examining the well-being of the main components of the roofing system.
Material Inspection
The roof inspector will check the roofing materials used, including shingles, metal plates, clay, or slate shingles. The inspector will examine if there are any damages, missing materials, or staining from rust and moss and if there is any water damage. They will check for any signs of leaks, cracks, or pests, especially the flashing underneath the roofing material.
Interior Inspection
This component of the roof inspection tackles any signs of damage to the roof that isn’t visible from the outside. The inspectors will check the ceilings, attics, and walls throughout the inside of the home to look for signs of damage such as water stains, wood rot, mold, holes in the walls or ceilings, beams of light coming into the attic from the ceiling, and even pests in the attic.
Home Inspection vs. Roof Inspection
A home inspection offers insight into the actual condition of the house. Although a home inspection may include a roof inspection, it won’t be as focused as a dedicated roof inspection. If you want to focus on your house’s roof issues, a roof inspection is for you.
