How often should I have my roof inspected?
Roofs are a part of our homes that often get taken for granted. That is until an issue arises. Professional inspections are essential to help prevent minor issues from becoming serious ones. How often should that take place? Keep reading to see what a few experts suggest.
Marty Ford
Marty Ford, President of BulletpRoof Roof Systems Ltd.
At Least Annually
[Having your roof inspected] at least once a year helps to ensure that any potential problems are caught early and can be repaired before they cause significant damage.
There are a few different things that a roof inspector will look for, such as leaks, missing shingles, and general wear and tear. It’s essential to have your roof regularly inspected because it is one of the most critical components of your home.
The roof is what protects the rest of your house from the elements, so if there are any issues with it, they can quickly become very serious problems. By having your roof inspected on a regular basis, you can avoid expensive repairs or even having to replace your roof entirely.
Once A Year
We recommend a professional roof inspection once per year at a minimum. Ideally twice. There are two main reasons for this recommendation:
● Identify Roof Damage
Over the course of six to twelve months, a lot of changes can take place on your roof that may not be visible from ground level. A professional roofer will be able to identify any minor issues before they become more widespread.
● Document Roof Over Time
A good professional roof inspection will come with a photo file. Having photos of your roof showing its condition over time can be more valuable than you’d think. For example, if you need to submit an insurance claim due to storm damage, it can be extremely helpful to show your insurance company the condition of the roof before-and-after a storm.
Kyle Shirley
Kyle Shirley, Owner of Sol Vista Roofing.
Josh Lewis
Josh Lewis, CEO & Founder of Retex Roofing & Exteriors.
Depends on the Roof’s Age
If you have a brand-new or younger roof (Less than ten years old), we recommend having your roof inspected every five years until it’s 15 years old, and then every other year after that unless an issue arises or you notice an active leak.
We recommend this increasing frequency because it is more likely for flashing, pipe collars, and nail pops to occur as your roof ages and weathers more storms year after year.
Depending on the material, most asphalt shingle roofs last between 17 and 25 years. Being proactive and having your roof assessed before you notice a leak inside can save you money, time, and the headache of reactively fixing the issue and related damages, such as drywall or paint peeling.
After Major or Minor Weather Events
Hail and falling limbs can damage your shingles and roof. Get a professional out to inspect your home after hail or strong winds, so they can make minor repairs that will prevent extensive, expensive repairs later.
Leaks and water damage can [even] happen during much smaller weather events. Homeowners should have their roofs inspected after every major or minor weather event.
Phillip Holland
Phillip Holland, Managing Partner at H&F Exteriors.
Diarmuid Hennessey
Diarmuid Hennessey, Contracting Expert at Homecheck.
Depends On Location
You should be getting your roof inspected at least once a year, twice if you live in an area subjected to relatively harsh weather conditions. A house positioned close to the coast is going to suffer more wear and tear than one inland.
Roofs can be particularly deceptive. From the ground, you may think a roof is in perfect condition. However, when you get up there, you may find missing slates, broken flashings, and cracked tiles.
In 90% of cases, most roofs need at least a repair after 25 years, so bear this in mind. Roof repairs usually clock in around €4000. For a total [roof] replacement, you may need to fork out up to €8000.
This is a crowdsourced article. Contributors' statements do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this website, other people, businesses, or other contributors.