Getting a roof inspection every year may seem like a hassle, even if it’s a free roof inspection, but homeowners should understand why they need to have the health of their roof checked out every year.
What is the Purpose of a Free Roof Inspection?
Annual roof inspections serve multiple purposes.If you can find a reputable, local company that offers an annual free roof inspection, you should take advantage of the service. Here’s why.
Stay Ahead of Maintenance with a Free Roof Inspection
There are times in life where it might seem easier to do zero maintenance, particularly if the cost of regular maintenance outweighs the cost of repairing something when it breaks. Roof maintenance is like getting your car an oil change. You need regular oil changes to keep your car running correctly in day-to-day use. It’s the same with your roof. If you decide to ignore your roof’s maintenance, the resulting repairs will almost certainly be unnecessarily costly.
While all repairs are important to maintaining your house, even a small issue with the roof can easily become a bigger problem that affects other areas of your home. Getting a free roof inspection is the best method to guarantee that your home’s roof and related exterior area are healthy and free of damage. Periodic free roof inspections are recommended for all homeowners, as the small and gradual damages caused by normal wind and rain can add up over time. Due to varying conditions from area to area, the only way to know for sure how often your roof needs to be inspected is to call a roofer to schedule your first free roof inspection.
While you may not want to face knowing that you have an issue with your roof, that’s not the only purpose of getting a free roof inspection.
Document the Health of Your Roof with a Free Roof Inspection
Another reason to get a free roof inspection every year is because it documents the health of your roof. If a storm comes through and damages your roof, insurance adjusters invariably try to say the storm damage was normal wear and tear so that they can deny your claim. A free roof inspection every year is an excellent way to provide documentation of your roof’s health for insurance purposes. It also shows that you take steps to protect your home, which can help you defend an insurance claim in the event of damage from hail, tornados or strong storms.
What Issues Could a Free Roof Inspection Actually Find?
There are many things that could be wrong with your roof. Primarily, the inspector will be looking for water damage, such as water stains on the interior ceiling of your home, so that they can identify the source of the leak.
They’ll also be looking for missing or damaged shingles and determine the extent of the damage to prevent any further leaks from forming. Your inspector should also be checking for any debris in your home’s gutters, which can cause clogging and additional water damage. The inspector will also likely want to assess your roof’s ventilation system to ensure that it’s functioning properly to help prevent less obvious moisture damage.
If there’s any structural deterioration, particularly any sign of damage or weakness to the rafters, decking, or ridge line, that can also be an issue found by the inspector at a free roof inspection. This can prolong the lifespan of your roof and help reduce severe damage in the future. Overall, a free roof inspection can help identify any potential problems with the roof and provide recommendations for a roof repair or roof replacement before it’s an emergency.
How Long Will a Free Roof Inspection Take?
It depends primarily on the size of the house. A free roof inspection typically takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours to complete. A single-story residential roof may only take 30 minutes to an hour to inspect while a larger multi-story roof may be approaching that 2 hours or more range.
Please understand that a free roof inspection will take some time, and the free roof inspection should never be rushed. Compared to the much longer period that a damaged roof would mess up your schedule, the time it takes to let a roofer inspector check on your roof’s health is completely reasonable.
Does My Brand-New Roof Need a Free Roof Inspection Every Year?
Yes, your brand-new roof should also be inspected annually. While uncommon, there could still be some issues left over from the installation process that could be impacting the performance and longevity of your roof. A free roof inspection can potentially identify any problem that may have gone unnoticed and provide an opportunity to correct these small issues immediately before they become larger problems down the line.
An inspector will also want to check the roof’s structure, flashing, shingles, ventilation system, and other miscellaneous components to ensure that they meet industry standards. It’s always a good idea to get your new roof inspected, especially if the warranty on the roof is still valid.
If your brand-new roof needs repairs down the line when it’s no longer brand-new, roofers can potentially use the inspection report data from previous inspections to provide you with a highly accurate assessment of damage and repair costs. If your roof is in good health, they can instead use your free roof inspection data to schedule next year’s free roof inspection. When the next scheduled free roof inspection comes around, they’ll already have a good idea of what might be worn down.
Is a Free Roof Inspection Actually Free?
Inspectors typically choose to charge either a flat fee or an hourly rate. How much a roof inspection costs can vary wildly depending on any number of factors, including your roof’s size, the complexity of its shape, the location of your home in relation to the roofing business, and the experience of the inspector. On average, if you don’t get a free roof inspection from a reputable, local roofing company, a roof inspection could cost you anywhere between $300 to $1,000 – potentially even more if you’re on the extreme end of one of those factors.
SEI Roofing is an established, trusted, local roofing company. Unlike some companies, when we offer a free roof inspection, it is actually free. We are building a relationship with our local clients with this service. We believe in our free roof inspection, because you shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of knowing your roof’s health or to document your roof’s health for future purposes. That’s just what it means to prioritize service, excellence, and integrity. Contact us today to schedule your next free roof inspection!
