What Should I Expect During a Roofing Inspection

Living in Southern Florida has advantages, including relatively warm winters, plenty of sunshine, and beautiful beaches. With those benefits also come some drawbacks, though, like intense heat and UV rays, as well as tropical storms. 

Everyone who lives in Florida knows the exterior of homes and businesses can really take a beating, particularly roofs. That’s why it can be helpful for any business owner or homeowner to be informed about roof inspections. 

However, doing a roof inspection yourself is never a good idea. Not only is it potentially dangerous, but it’s also challenging for the untrained eye to know what to look for. 

Rather than taking a risk, leave your next roof inspection to the professionals at Florida Southern Roofing. With extensive experience and great customer service, we will provide a full roof inspection you can depend on.

How to Know When You Need a Roof Inspection

Getting a roof annual roof inspection is ideal, (if you’d like to protect your roof!). If annual inspections are not being performed we recommend inspections at least at the following. 

At Florida Southern Roofing, we believe four instances warrant a roof inspection, as we’ll explain below. 

Buying a New Home or Commercial Building

A major part of any property buying experience is having qualified inspectors look at every aspect of the building before you close the deal. While standard residential or commercial inspectors will thoroughly check everything inside and around the structure, they often won’t climb up on the roof. 

In fact, most inspectors will recommend a roof inspection if they notice any issues indoors that could tie back to the roof. Waiting to have another inspector come to the property to assess any damages may seem tedious, but it will be worth it in the end if the roof has issues that require repair or replacement. 

Renewing or Changing Insurance

It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to request a roof inspection before proceeding with a new policy. If you are looking into switching providers or your current policy is up for renewal, be advised that you may need to show the results of a roof inspection. 

Most home insurance claims are related to issues that stem from the roof, and oftentimes, these claims create the largest payouts from providers, so it should come as no surprise that an insurance company wants to make sure that your roof adequately protects your building and everything in it! 

Leaks or Stains

When was the last time you placed a bucket in your hallway to capture water dripping from the ceiling? Probably never! Real life usually doesn’t look the same as it does on TV and in movies. 

Unfortunately, roofs sometimes do develop leaks in real life. In most cases, roof leaks will create visible stains on your ceiling before they become pronounced enough to drip water. 

Any time you observe water stains on your ceiling or walls without an explanation, it’s best to call Florida Southern Roofing and request a roof inspection. We can pinpoint where the leak originates from and determine the best approach for repairing it. The longer you wait to address the problem, the worse the damage will become. 

After a Severe Storm

Storms in Florida can get quite intense, especially during the summer months. Any time a severe storm rolls through the area, your roof takes a hit. 

Even if you don’t have broken tree branches or debris on the roof or you can’t see any visible signs of damage after a storm, you should still consider getting a roof inspection. Frequently, storm damage occurs in hard-to-see places, and by the time you realize it, it’s too late. 

We cannot emphasize this enough—it’s not a good idea to climb onto your roof yourself and check for problems after a storm. A roof can be a very dangerous place, especially without the right equipment and experience to navigate across it. 

Let our roofing experts at Florida Southern Roofing do a thorough roof inspection for you to ensure that your roof inspection is done thoroughly and safely. 

What Happens During a Roof Inspection?

When you set up a roof inspection, a certified roofer will come to your home or business and thoroughly check all components related to the roof. We’ll generally start inside the house to check all of the walls, floors, and ceilings for leaks or water damage. 

Next, we’ll move outside and walk the perimeter of the building to check the roof overhangs and awnings. We’ll also look over any gutters or water spouts to ensure that they are working properly. 

Finally, our inspector will safely climb onto your roof and look for the following:

• Broken shingles or tiles
• Clogged roof valleys
• Debris such as branches, leaves, or other objects
• Blocked gutters
• Worn down seals around vents, fans, pipes, etc.

For flat rooftops — which are more common among commercial buildings — inspectors will check for peeling lamination or lifting overlaps, as they can be entry points for water. If possible, they will also check for pooling water, as this may signify a roof that is sagging. 

Common Issues Discovered During a Roof Inspection

When inspectors go around the roof to check for issues, they most commonly find cracked, loose, or broken shingles or tiles. When shingles or tiles aren’t properly in place, it creates an opening for water to seep into the building and cause damage. Sometimes, the nails that hold shingles in place may pop out and leave a hole for water to travel into. 

Another common problem inspectors discover is an accumulation of vegetation that causes blockages and water build-up. In particular, when the accumulation occurs near downspouts and in gutters, water backs up even faster and causes more damage. 

For older roofs, it’s not uncommon for inspectors to find cracked or peeling sealants that allow water to seep down into the structure. These worn-down areas can be challenging to spot, but an inspector knows what to look for and where. 

After a Roof Inspection

Once the inspection is done, our inspector will write up a report of their findings and provide you with a copy. If we recommend repairs, we will also give you an estimate of what the repairs would cost. 

Even if the report states nothing is wrong with the roof, it’s still important to get this document for insurance purposes or when you put your building up for sale. 

Roof Maintenance Advice

It may seem like your roof is inaccessible and there isn’t much you can do to maintain it, but there are a few simple ways to keep your roof in good shape between inspections or repairs. 

Sometimes minor debris on your roof is relatively easy to remove by simply standing on the ground and aiming a leaf blower in the right direction. For larger pieces of debris, like branches or objects, it’s better to call a professional. 

Another great way to keep your roof from needing repairs is to schedule gutter cleaning at least once, if not twice a year. By getting the gutters cleaned out, you can help to make sure water doesn’t accumulate on your roof. 

And even though a quality roof can last for decades, it doesn’t mean you have to wait that long to have an inspection! We recommend scheduling a roof inspection every five years to catch any minor issues before they become major ones. 

Turn to Florida Southern Roofing

Keeping your roof in tip-top shape is an important aspect of building maintenance. Consider having a professional roof inspection for insurance purposes, after a storm, before purchasing a property, or because of visible indoor damage. 

For a qualified and dependable roofing company you can trust, get in touch with Florida Southern Roofing. We provide residential and commercial roof replacement, roof repair, maintenance, and roof inspection services to customers in Southwest Florida. Give us a call today!