Roof Inspections
You should schedule a roof inspection at least every five years. Ours are free! We typically find no significant issues, but we almost always find and fix very minor things that would have turned into long-term problems.
Our inspections are free!
Most inspections only find the need for repairs that are small, but necessary
Inspections usually take less than an hour
Yes, every roof type needs periodic inspection
Inspections can stave off the damage and expense of significant repairs
No, we don't use drones ... because our eyes work much better!
Many (most) roofers use drones. But we never do.
We think drones are great for a lot of things, but even a drone camera with 4K-resolution cannot replace the trained eye of a roofer up on your house for an inspection. We believe that the use of drones means you miss a lot of little things you otherwise would catch with the naked eye. Also, using a drone could mean missing the opportunity to feel when your foot hits a slightly soft spot where the roofing plywood might be rotting.Â
An inexpensive (free) way to ensure your roof is in great shape, and to fix small issues before they become huge headaches
Matthew Lorand Roofing owner Jason Joseph answered several questions posed by his customers about roofing inspections.
Q: How often should a home owner schedule a roof inspection?
A: In general, it’s best to have your roof inspected about every four to five years.
Q: Does the need for inspection frequency vary based on the roof type, such as for shingle, for tile, for metal?
A: Not really. It’s ideal to get the roof inspected every four to five years, regardless.
Q: Do you charge a fee for the roof inspection?
A: No. Some of our competitors charge a fee, but many, like us, do not. We generally think of the roof inspection as an opportunity to offer some goodwill and to help out our neighbors. And many times, the customers calls us years later when they have roofing issues.
Q: What are the reasons that people request a roof inspection?
A: A lot of our roof inspections come because the client is thinking about selling their home and wants to know how the roof is doing. Or the inspection is scheduled because of a pending real estate transaction. Some have found a shingle in their yard or a stain on the ceiling and they are worried, and some request it just because it has been a long time and they want to know how the roof is doing.
Q: Is a ceiling stain always a sign of a roof problem?
A: No, it can be an indication of something very minor. Less than a third of the time a ceiling stain leads to a significant roof repair.
Q: When folks see shingle granules in the yard, is that bad news?
A: The shingle granules often are nothing to be concerned about, and might be a regular part of the roof’s aging process, but call us and we can confirm that.
Q: How often does a roof inspection turn into a paid project?
A: A lot of people think that every inspection will turn into a repair job or even a new roof. But the reality is that when we inspect a roof, at least half the time we tell folks that their roof is in great shape and doesn’t need any repairs.
Q: Do I always need to schedule a roof inspection after a hail storm?
A: For shingle and metal roofs, yes, it’s important to have your roof inspected immediately after a hail storm. If you have a tile roof, the urgency is not as great, unless you experienced hail the size of golf balls or greater.
Q: What does hail do to a roof that causes such a problem?
A: Hail can damage the shingle and the flashings, which can lead to leaks. With a metal roof, hail can damage and dent the seams in the metal, which also can cause leaks.
Q: Are drones a good idea for roof inspections?
A: Drones are very popular among roofers, but we never use them because it is critical to get your eyes up close on the roof, and a drone can’t do that. A drone camera won’t see the level of important details that you can see with the naked eye, and a drone can’t do what your foot can do, which is feel for soft spots in the roof’s supporting wood structure. That can mean wood rot.
Q: What are you looking for when you are up on the roof during an inspection?
A: We look for damaged, torn, or missing shingles, soft or rotted plywood decking, loose or damaged flashings, exposed nail heads, granular loss, and hail damage. For metal roofs, any dings in the middle of the metal usually are just cosmetic issues, but damage to the seams could be a problem. Another bonus is that when we are on your roof, we are able to report when we find any rodent entry points, wasp nests, chimney damage, issues with home siding, and more.
Q: How long does a roof inspection take?
A: Typically a roof inspection takes only about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the roof.
Q: What is a roofing tune-up?
A: As needed, we conduct what we call a roofing tune-up, which focuses on sealing. We seal all roofing penetrations, seal all exposed nail heads, seal all loose shingles and flashings. These jobs usually take about two hours, depending on the size of the roof.
Q: How much does a typical roofing tune-up cost?
A: It depends on home size, but for most homes, our roofing tune-up costs $500-800.
Q: What is the value of a roofing tune-up?
A: When we do a roofing tune-up, it’s because the roof has critical issues that need attention, but the roof doesn’t necessarily need replacing. If we are able to find and seal problem areas on a roof, it can extend the life of the roof, and it also can prevent a lot of expensive damage that otherwise can occur.
Get more info
Call us. We answer any time. (512) 808-0403
