Roofing experts and construction companies recommend inspecting a roof in the fall and spring months to assess its condition and ability to withstand seasonal weather fluctuations such as high winds and flying debris, as well as heavy hail and rainstorms.
Debris such as fallen leaves and branches can cause serious issues, particularly on flat commercial roofs. Leaves and debris frequently clog scuppers, downspouts, and roof drains, causing ponding or stagnant water to accumulate before freezing temperatures lock the debris in place and completely clog drainage systems in the winter. The longer water remains on the roof, the more likely it will penetrate the roof system. It is critical that these drains and systems are cleaned on a regular basis and that debris is removed.
What Is the Price of a Roof Inspection?
The cost of a roofing inspection varies greatly depending on where you live, the type of roof you have, its complexity, pitch, or materials used, and the level of inspection required. Most inspections, on the other hand, cost between $200 and $300 on average.
However, this cost is insignificant when compared to the cost of costly repairs caused by NOT inspecting your roof and catching small issues before they become big problems.
What Is Involved in a Roof Inspection?
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most common things to look for during a roof inspection. Make sure to discuss what is included with your contractor and any special considerations that may be required.
- The physical appearance of your roof’s exterior surfaces as a whole
- Examination for evidence of damage (granules, discoloration, moss, dents, cracks, peeling, etc)
- The condition of the fascia, drains, gutters, skylights, chimneys, and vents in the surrounding area
- Roof valleys are inspected for integrity and wear.
- Flashing inspection
Can I Do My Own Roof Inspection?
Only a fully trained and adequately equipped roof contractor should conduct a thorough and professional roof inspection. Roofing professionals understand what to look for while on your roof and have the necessary safety equipment. Untrained homeowners should never attempt to gain access to their roofs. Walking on your roof endangers both you and your roof. Falling from your roof can cause serious, life-changing injuries, and you may fall through the roof if it has unseen damage. Walking on your roof could aggravate any existing damage or cause damage where none existed prior to your rooftop inspection.
How long does it take for the professionals to perform a fall inspection?
The professionals will only need a few hours to perform the inspection. For larger and more complicated systems, the experts may need more than one day to complete the inspection. After the maintenance process, the contractors may present their customers with a few repair options, based on what they find.
Homeowners should always be sure to take care of their roofing systems with regular inspections to make sure that they get the desired use out of them. Frequent inspections can help reduce the need to contact Thornton roofing specialists to have a more expensive repair performed. While some systems may not need to be maintained as frequently as others, there are key points during the year that homeowners should always use to check the surface of their roofs. Autumn is one of the most important inspection checkpoints because of how many drastic temperature and weather changes occur. All rooftops have a difficult job of keeping the rest of the home protected, and homeowners staying on top of their maintenance will extend the life and improve the efficiency of the system itself.
Every task that the roof performs is done better when it is in good shape. Because the fall season is right before winter, this is when the smaller problems that are found on the roof begin to grow into larger concerns. What may have started as a small leak or a relatively unnoticeable crack may grow during the cold weather when thermal contraction takes its toll on the system. Fortunately, a simple inspection is often enough to find the problem and make sure that it is resolved as necessary.
These benefits are further improved when the inspection is performed by capable experts who have experienced such problems in the past.
When homeowners speak with the experts, they will be able to pinpoint problematic areas sooner. The professionals will notice which sections of the roof are aging prematurely and which ones are functioning as they are supposed to.
Capable professionals will also be able to help by spotting signs of damage that may have been left behind by another roofing company. Many contractors find that a large percentage of the repair work that they perform is taking care of issues that were caused by other companies.
A timely inspection can also help homeowners evaluate their roof’s needs for additional roof cleaning and general debris management and removal. While homeowners are usually on top of such tasks, the experts can inspect various nooks and crannies to make sure that potential problems are not exacerbated during the winter.
Roofing professionals will also be able to conduct thorough leak assessments to make sure that drainage is working as necessary. During these inspections, professionals may find leaks and other issues that will need to be taken care of early to prevent further problems.
Finally, performing a fall roof inspection will save you both time and money in the long run. If roof problems are ignored in the fall, the cold months can cause many major problems, leaving you with expensive roof repairs or even the need to replace specific sections if the damage is severe. If you’re still unsure whether your roof system requires repairs before the winter months, contact us and one of our roof technicians will conduct a full roof inspection.