Importance of Roof Inspections

Your home’s roof may not always be top-of-mind, especially when it comes to around-the-house maintenance or a “honey-do” list. There are so many other things that require your attention, like that new deck you have designed, the garden area, perhaps new sod, or remodeling a bathroom or kitchen. However, when it comes to protecting the investment in your home, we’d argue that your roof is the single most important part of your house. When your roof is damaged or compromised, it can cause major damage to the rest of the home. That’s why we emphasize the importance of roof inspections – regular maintenance and inspections can help detect damage and even prevent further damage from happening to your home.

Perhaps you do keep up on roof maintenance, but as Colorado’s weather can be hard on the roof, you have concerns about how your roof is holding up following a hail storm or harsh winter. While you can assess major damage on your own, a professional roof inspector provides insight and expertise that most homeowners can’t muster.

What Is the Importance of Roof Inspections?

Just like it’s great to have routine inspections on your car, your teeth, eyes, and just about anything else, roof inspections are important in understanding the condition of your roof.

Roof inspections can help point out your roof’s:

• Age
• History
• Weaknesses
• Strengths
• Awkward shapes
• What type of shingle may be best for your roof

Knowing and understanding these things about your roof can help prolong its lifespan and durability. Roof inspectors will then be able to recommend the right type of repairs or whether a replacement is needed. The importance of roof inspections is equal to the amount of money you spend on your roof.

Either you have minor maintenance and routine inspections or you’ll have major repairs and roof replacements. That’s also why a professional roofer should be routinely inspecting your home’s roof.

What Do Professional Roof Inspectors Look For?

Following a major storm, you may feel inclined to try and save money and inspect the roof yourself. While we don’t discourage this, we do not recommend you get up on the roof to do so. Of course, you can take a survey of your roof from the ground, but not always do homeowners know what to look for. If you spot nothing but still have concerns, it’s time to call a professional roof inspector. You’ll benefit from their professional insight.

Professional roofers will also usually start with a quick survey of your roof’s health from the ground. Using our own equipment, we look for the obvious signs of distress (and they know what they’re looking for): missing shingles, changes in color, ripped shingles, major damage caused by falling branches.

When inspecting your roofs, a professional roofer will perform a few things, depending on the health and condition of the roof.

Surface assessment

• Hail damage may be hard to spot, and experts know how to evaluate the remaining lifespan of shingles, grain levels and locate hail-strike damage. Experts will also look for discolored, warped, or missing shingles, as that’s an early sign there may be water damage. Any debris on the roof may have caused a shingle to come loose, as well.

Ventilation

• Keeping air moving through your attic is important, and experts can quickly assess if vents are working to the capacity your home requires. Roofers will inspect all roofing vents, insulation, and other roofing materials that help assist in proper roof ventilation.

Insurance claims

• If your roof is damaged, you’ll need a professional to itemize and properly describe the damage. An expert may ask for a history of past insurance claims if there are any. Professional roofers will also guide you through each step of an insurance claim and keep you well-informed

Structural survey

• It’s even more difficult to see the damage under shingles than spot superficial damage. If your roof is losing structural integrity, it can lead to larger problems down the line. Identifying these issues and addressing them is critical.

Safety First:

• It’s always best to leave the professionals to climbing ladders and walking on a sloped roof, so please don’t risk your health self-inspecting. Expert roofers will have the proper equipment and training to know how to maneuver around your roof.

How Often Should Roofs Be Inspected?

Roofs are made to last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. The more proactive a homeowner is with maintenance and inspections, the longer the roof will last. Hence the importance of roof inspections – a small investment into a routine inspection will save you money in the long run.

So, just how frequent is “routine?” Generally speaking, we recommend a professional roof inspection at least once a year, if not twice. The best times to get your roof inspected are in the spring and summer months, right before harsher weather approaches (hail in the summer and snow in the winter).

In Colorado, roof inspections are especially important. Between the sun, hot, dry air, hail, rain (the very little these days), and snow, roofs take quite the punishment from the harsh, extreme weather. The more proactive you can be with roof inspections, the better off your roof – and consequently, your home – will be.

Colorado’s Professional Roof Inspectors

B&M Roofing of Colorado provides free, no-obligation professional roof inspections to homeowners in Denver and Boulder.

As native Coloradans, we’ve seen our fair share of damaged roofs. We know what weathered, old, or damaged roofs look like – as well as healthy, functioning roofs. If, when we are called for a roof inspection, we can save you money, we will. We’ll only give you our exact recommendations. If you only need repairs after an inspection, we’ll say so. If you don’t need any repairs at all, we will also tell you that. Even the smallest signs of wear and tear, we’ll inform you and give you options on how to proceed.

As professional roofers, it’s not about the roof – it’s about protecting you and your home.

Request a visit from our inspection team with our online form, or by calling 303.443.5843.