If your roof hasn't been inspected by a roofer for several years, it's probably a good time to have it done. Without an inspection, damage can go unnoticed, and that can lead to water damage to your home. There are a few ways to do a roof inspection. Here's how a roofer might inspect your roof and the things they look for. 

When You May Need A Roof Inspection

You'll probably have a roof inspection done before you buy a home, when you get a second mortgage, when your insurance company requests one, after a bad storm, and periodically throughout the life of your roof to keep up with maintenance.

It's important to know that the roof inspection that's included with a standard home inspection for mortgage purposes isn't as detailed as the inspection you get from a roofer. When you want to know the condition of all aspects of your roof, hire a roof inspector so nothing is overlooked.

How A Roof Inspection Might Be Done

The roofer usually needs to get on the roof to look around. However, this may not always be possible or safe. When it's warranted, the roofer may do the inspection by drone instead. They will fly the drone around the roof to look at the shingles and flashing from all sides.

They may even load the drone with roofing software so the roof can be measured at the same time. The drone takes photos and videos of the roof so you can look at them later and verify the damage the roofer finds.

Another type of inspection your roofer might consider is an infrared inspection that picks up on water damage. You might want this inspection if your roofer suspects the deck of your roof has water damage. An infrared camera can detect a wet deck without having to remove the roofing materials.

What The Roof Inspector Looks For

It's important for the inspector to check the condition of the roof deck. If the deck is rotting, it needs to be pulled off and replaced before it becomes a safety hazard. Since the inspector can't see under the shingles, they'll look for signs the deck is sagging.

The roofer also checks around things that rise up through the roof, like skylights and vent pipes. These areas are vulnerable to leaking, so the roofer will look for signs of water damage. The roofer also checks the soffit and fascia boards since these might start rotting if your gutters back up. The shingles are also checked closely to look for signs of hail damage, cracks, curling, and blisters.

After the inspection, the roofer will provide you with a report that outlines all of the problems found if any. They may also include recommendations for repairs and estimate how much life is left in your roof before it needs to be replaced.

Contact a local roofer to learn more about roofing inspections.