Buying a home is the biggest financial investment many people will make. In a hot real estate market, homebuyers may be tempted to remove any conditions from their offer to purchase—including a roof inspection—so their bid wins the house. However, hiring a roofing professional in Jonesboro provides essential information about the property’s value, such as whether a potential new home’s roof needs repairs or a replacement.

We’re going to help you understand what a roof inspector versus a normal home inspector can do for your home sale. Read along as we dive into the details of what to expect for your roof.

Do I Need A Roof Inspection?

Your roof is your only line of defense from the elements: storms, snow, and extreme temperatures. If even a few shingles are damaged, the next time it rains you could have flooding in places you won’t see. That is until it seeps through your ceiling.

If you are a buyer, you likely have no idea the kinds of storms that your house has endured and certainly don’t know the last time it was replaced. Depending on the material, a roof’s lifespan is 15 to 30 years, but any external damage from things like extreme weather or storms can shorten that lifespan significantly.

Home Inspection vs Roof Inspection

Did you know that not every home inspector will investigate the home’s roof? If the home is more than 2 stories or is exceptionally steep, they won’t get on the roof. If they feel it’s unsafe for them, they won’t make the attempt, which is a good thing to know when paying for your typical home inspection. Furthermore, both of those are different from a roof certification, which is often required by lenders. Whoever is insuring the home will be looking for at least 3 years of life left.

You can expect a typical home inspection to cost around $200 to $500. They don’t have one particular focus but look at many places in and outside of the home that could potentially be problems. The average cost of a roof inspection is $220 but can range from $75 to $600. This inspection, provided by a trained professional, is specific to the roof. While they will notice any significant shingle issues, they will also check the gutters, downspouts, and chimneys.

It’s also possible that a roof inspector will use drones or infrared technology as well. Drones are perfect for roofs that are just too steep for safety, while infrared helps spot moisture and places that are leaking air.

What Do Roof Inspectors Look For?

A thorough inspection from an experienced roofer should take just a few hours or less, and it could save you from surprise costs down the line. Your roof inspector will look for signs of damage—broken, peeling, or missing shingles or panels, sagging supports, or rotting wood—stemming from storms or wear and tear. They’ll check several areas of the roof for moisture damage, including the underside of your roof deck. The inspector may also enter the home in search of leaks or water damage and check the flashings by going into the attic.

Verifying that the soffit, fascia, vented areas, and skylights are in good condition is also on an inspector’s checklist. They also ensure leaves and debris aren’t clogging the gutters and check that waterspouts drain away from the house. Your inspector could also suggest trimming branches or climbing plants with the potential to damage your roof.

If you have a flat roof, your inspector will try to find signs of sagging and see whether the membrane is cracked, punctured, or split. All of these issues can compromise your roofing system, causing water leaks.

Get an Inspection

Whether you are a buyer or a seller, a roof inspection is an important part of the home inspection checklist. It can save you money and a lot of future headaches. Don’t put off until tomorrow what needs to be dealt with today. If you are in the market for a new roof, check out our services at Roof X Solutions, we’ll give you a helping hand!