What You Should Know About Roof Inspections

If you’ve never had a residential roof inspection on your Johnson County home, you may be a little nervous about the process, how it works, and what the roofer is looking for during the inspection. First-time homeowners, especially, have a lot of questions for local roofers in Johnson County. Here’s a quick summary of what to expect so that you’re not flying blind when the time comes.

Do You Need An Inspection?

This is one of the questions homeowners struggle with. How do you know when it’s time for a residential roof inspection? The short answer is that it’s a good idea to have the roof inspected annually, whether you can see signs of damage or not. This helps you maintain the roof properly and catches any issues before they get out of hand.

Two of the most obvious signs that you need to have your roof inspected by a qualified residential roofer in Johnson County are when you notice leaks or drafts. Leaks are fairly easy to spot; you’ll see discoloration in the ceiling or the walls on the inside of the home. Drafts are a little harder to spot, but if you feel excessively warm or cool air flowing through a room, you should probably have the roof checked out. You may have a ventilation problem.

Exterior vs. Interior Inspections

A professional residential roofer in Johnson County should perform both an exterior and interior inspection while he or she is looking at the roof. An exterior inspection involves the roofer climbing a ladder and walking around on the roof, checking for leaks, damaged shingles, proper seals on ventilation ducts and flashing, and taking a look at the chimney to make sure it’s in good shape. During the interior portion of the inspection, the roof inspector should check the attic for proper insulation and also look around for water intrusion or mold.

After the inspection, you should get a comprehensive report detailing everything the roofer discovered during the residential roof inspection.

What Roofers Look For

Another question Johnson County homeowners wonder about is what the roofer is looking for. Here are a few of the most common roofing issues that are discovered during an inspection. These may vary depending on the type of roofing materials used on your house.

Signs of water damage. Water damage comes from a number of sources. and it’s never a good thing. Water that gets in under shingles causes a host of problems, including mold, mildew, and interior damage to walls and ceilings. Water may get in because of clogged gutters, damaged or incorrectly installed flashing, or missing shingles that were blown off in the last storm.

Mold or mildew. The presence of mold or mildew means the presence of moisture somewhere that it shouldn’t be. Mold is especially dangerous because it causes numerous health issues for people with respiratory challenges. If your roof inspector spots any signs of mold, it needs to be taken care of by local roofers in Johnson County as soon as possible.

Roofing granules in the gutters. The roof inspector will also check the gutters for any granules that may have washed off the roof during past rains. A little of this material in the gutters is normal. However, if there’s an excessive amount, you probably have a bigger issue, such as shingle deterioration or damage. This could be caused by hail, wind, falling branches, or old age. Since these granules are what helps protect your house from the sun’s UV rays, this is something you’ll need to have looked at more closely.

Call Shamrock Roofing for a Free Residential Roof Inspection

Shamrock Roofing and Construction specializes in all aspects of residential and commercial roofing. We offer free no-touch roof inspections for customers in Johnson County and throughout the Kansas City area. Contact us today for more information or to get your appointment on our calendar!