What To Expect From Your Roof Inspection In Fort Collins, CO
We asked our roofers to answer the most commonly asked questions our clients have about roofing inspections. If you don’t see the answer you need in our guide below, please send us your question directly! We’re always happy to share our roofing knowledge and expertise to benefit homeowners just like you.
When Should You Get Your Roof Inspected?
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends that you get your roof professionally inspected at least twice a year. These routine inspections should ideally take place in the fall and spring to help spot potential problems before the seasonal storms of winter and summer. To ensure your roof is in tip-top shape, make sure you schedule those biannual inspections every year.
Of course, those aren’t the only times you should get your roof inspected. As a general rule of thumb, you should also inspect your roof after any major storms. It doesn’t matter how new a roof is—hail, wind, and snowstorms may still inflict damage on your roof. You may also want to schedule a professional roof inspection if you notice things like:
- Higher energy bills in recent months
- Interior mold growths, mildew, or water stains
- Light peeking through the rafters in your attic
- Moisture hanging in the air in your attic space
What Do Roofers Look For During The Inspection?
In a typical roofing inspection, roofers will perform a comprehensive review of your roof’s exterior features and it’s interior structure. During this visual inspection, your roofer will look for common signs of damage, which may include:
- Cracked, warped, or damaged shingles
- Loose or missing shingles
- Mold or mossy growths
- Sagging areas of your roof
- Shingle granules in the gutter systems
- Rotting support beams and underlying features
- Cracks or holes in your roof
- Instances of water damage, internally and externally
Roofing contractors will also take into consideration the age of your roof during their inspection. Your roofing materials have a limited lifespan, as your shingles will become compromised at a certain point and lose their integrity. Most U.S. homes rely on asphalt shingles, which may only last 15 to 20 years. If your roof has reached that age, your repairs may end up being more substantial.
How Long Does A Roofing Inspection Take?
As HomeAdvisor notes, you can typically expect most roof inspections to take between 45 minutes to 4 hours. Of course, that doesn’t mean your roof inspection will take that long to complete. The total time of your roof inspection will depend on your roof’s square footage, ease of accessibility, roofing materials, and the inspection of your attic.
What Happens After The Inspection?
Once your roof inspection in Fort Collins, CO is wrapped up, your contractor will go over their findings with you in detail. Your roofer will take the time to discuss every aspect of their inspection and answer any questions you may have. From there, your Fort Collins roofing contractor should provide an accurate estimate for any discussed repairs. And the best roofers will provide that estimate and the inspection for free.
In the days following your inspection, you should expect to receive a report from your contractor. This report may include things such as:
- The scope of work — An analysis of the areas covered and not covered during the inspection.
- Itemized findings — Detailed descriptions of their discoveries, paired with photographs.
- Recommendations — Expert suggestions for your next steps, typically accompanied by price quotes for any complex and simple repairs.
To be clear, this inspection report is not a contract. This report is just an informative document to act as a helpful guide for your roof restorations. If you want to get your repairs started quickly, you’ll need to contact your contractor to get a legitimate contract drafted.
Can You Inspect Your Roof On Your Own?
This is a question we get asked a lot. And the answer is, of course you can! However, you’ll still need to get your roof inspected by a roofing contractor before any restorations can take place. And it’s always a wiser and far safer decision to contact a roofer for a professional inspection. Roofers are specially trained for the hazards of in-depth inspections and they’ll be able to accurately identify all signs of damage, some of which you may not be able to spot on your own.
That being said, if you conduct a DIY roof inspection, remember to take the appropriate safety precautions. This means you’ll need to:
- Work on a clear and sunny day
- Ensure your ladder is on solid, level ground
- And ensure your ladder is secured at the top to prevent it from slipping
- Maintain a three-point contact with your ladder when stepping onto or off the roof (e.g., touching the ladder with two feet and a hand or two hands and a foot)
- Wear work shoes or boots that have soft rubber soles for extra traction
- Wear a hard hat or helmet to protect your head
If you ever feel uncomfortable during your DIY roof inspection, then it’s time to stop and call in the professionals. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so don’t compromise your personal safety! Instead, leave your roof inspection to a professional roofing contractor in Fort Collins, CO.
Where Can I Schedule A Free Roof Inspection In Fort Collins, CO?
If you’re eager to get your roof professionally inspected by roofing experts, look no further than Ethos Roofing & Restoration! Our roofers happily offer FREE roofing inspections to homeowners in Fort Collins and beyond.
We’ll perform an in-depth examination of your property to identify any signs of damage or areas of concern. And our contractors will not only inspect your roof, but the entirety of your property as well for your peace of mind. From there, we’ll thoroughly discuss our findings with you and answer any questions that you may have. Our roofers will provide recommendations for your next steps and we’ll provide an accurate estimate for the total scope of your roof restorations.
Contact Ethos today to schedule your FREE roof inspection in Fort Collins, CO.