Home Inspection
Roof Inspection
Your roof fails silently. A cracked shingle, a lifted flashing, a failed ridge vent seal — none of them announce themselves. By the time water shows up on your ceiling, it’s already been traveling through your attic, insulation, and framing for months. We find the failure before the ceiling does.
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Post-Storm Roof Inspection: Don’t Wait for the Ceiling Stain
After any major storm, high winds, hail, or heavy snow load, your roof may have sustained damage that isn’t visible from the ground — and won’t show up inside for weeks or months. Insurance claims require timely documentation. Waiting until damage becomes obvious inside your home means more expensive repairs and a harder claim. Book an inspection within days of a storm event, not after the ceiling tells you to.
Inspection Only — No Manufactured Urgency, No Inflated Estimates
Roofing is one of the most predatory service categories in home services. Storm-chasing contractors, manufactured urgency, and inflated estimates are common. Our inspectors have one job: document what’s actually there, with photos, severity ratings, and honest plain-language findings. If your roof has 8 years of life left, the report says so. What you do with the information is always your decision.
What’s Covered
Five Roof Systems. One Comprehensive Assessment.
A roof isn’t one thing — it’s five interconnected systems, each of which can fail independently. We inspect all of them, from surface shingles to attic structure, in a single visit.
Structural Integrity
The structure beneath your roofing material is what actually holds everything up. Sagging, deflection, and rafter damage are structural failures — and they don’t fix themselves.
- Assess roofline from ground for sagging, deflection, or uneven ridge
- Inspect decking for soft spots, rot, or delamination from below
- Examine rafters, collar ties, and ridge board for cracking or separation
- Check for signs of overloaded structure from added roofing layers
- Identify any areas of visible settlement or uneven slope
- Note ventilation adequacy — poor attic airflow accelerates structural decay
Shingles & Roofing Material
Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense. Once they begin failing — curling, cracking, or losing granules — the waterproofing below is the only thing between your attic and the rain. And that layer doesn’t last long on its own.
- Walk accessible roof sections inspecting all shingle fields for damage
- Identify curled, cupped, blistered, cracked, or missing shingles
- Assess granule loss — heavy loss in gutters signals accelerated aging
- Inspect tile, metal panel, or flat membrane systems for specific failure modes
- Check hip and ridge cap shingles — first to fail in wind events
- Evaluate overall remaining lifespan based on material condition and age
Flashing & Sealants
Most roof leaks don’t happen through the shingles — they happen at the transitions. Chimneys, skylights, pipe boots, valleys, and wall junctions are where flashing failure drives the overwhelming majority of active leak situations.
- Inspect all chimney flashing for lifting, corrosion, or failed counter-flashing
- Check skylight frames, curbs, and perimeter seals for separation or cracking
- Examine all pipe boot flashings and vent collars for rubber boot cracking
- Inspect valley flashing for rust, holes, or improper overlap
- Check all wall-to-roof transitions and step flashing for gaps
- Evaluate all caulk and sealant for dryness, cracking, or shrinkage
Gutters & Drainage
Gutters are the roof’s drainage system. When they fail, water backs up under shingles, saturates fascia, and collects against your foundation. A clogged or improperly sloped gutter system undoes everything the rest of the roof is designed to do.
- Inspect all gutter runs for sagging, pulling away from fascia, or improper pitch
- Check for debris accumulation, standing water, or granule buildup
- Examine all downspout connections and extensions for secure attachment
- Verify downspouts are directing water away from the foundation perimeter
- Inspect gutter guards or screens for debris trapping or installation issues
- Check fascia board condition behind gutters for rot or deterioration
Attic & Interior Leak Evidence
The attic is where roof failures announce themselves before they reach the living space. Water stains on sheathing, mold on rafters, and wet insulation are the evidence trail of active or past leaks — and they tell you exactly where to look on the surface above.
- Enter accessible attic to inspect sheathing for water staining or dark marks
- Examine rafters and framing for active or dried moisture, mold, or rot
- Check insulation for compression, discoloration, or mildew odor
- Verify soffit and ridge vents are unobstructed and functioning
- Look for daylight penetration indicating holes or gaps in deck
- Document any evidence of past water events even if currently dry
Visual Reference Guide
Healthy vs. Failing — What Each Roof Component Should Look Like
Roof deterioration is almost always gradual — and most homeowners can’t tell the difference between normal aging and active failure. Here’s what our technicians are trained to distinguish.
Asphalt Shingles
✓ Healthy
✗ Failing
Flat, granule-covered surface, consistent color, lying tight to deck with no lifted edges
Curled or cupped edges, bare asphalt showing through, missing sections, visible cracking across surface
Pipe Boot Flashing
✓ Healthy
✗ Failing
Rubber boot collar supple and tight against pipe, no gaps, flashing sealed flat to deck
Cracked or hardened rubber collar pulling away from pipe — this is among the most common active leak sources on any roof
Chimney Flashing
✓ Healthy
✗ Failing
Step and counter flashing fully embedded, no gaps at mortar joints, no rust staining on surrounding shingles
Lifted or buckled flashing, visible gap at mortar, rust streaks on adjacent shingles — water is entering here
Gutters
✓ Healthy
✗ Failing
Clean, properly pitched, secured tight to fascia, downspouts extended away from foundation
Sagging midspan, granule sediment buildup, joints leaking, pulling away from fascia — fascia rot begins here
Ridge & Hip Caps
✓ Healthy
✗ Failing
Ridge cap shingles sealed and lying flat, no lifted nails, uniform color with field shingles
Lifted, cracked, or missing ridge caps — wind resistance is compromised and water entry at the highest point of the roof
Attic Sheathing
✓ Healthy
✗ Failing
Clean dry wood, no staining or discoloration, no mold growth, insulation dry and intact
Dark water staining, black mold on rafters or decking, compressed wet insulation — active or past leak confirmed
Don’t Ignore These
Six Roof Warning Signs That Mean Act Now
By the time a roof problem becomes obvious from inside your home, you’re already dealing with secondary damage. These exterior signs mean you’re in the warning window — act while repairs are still targeted and affordable.
Granules in Gutters After Rain
A light dusting of granules in gutters after installation is normal. Heavy or continuous granule accumulation in gutters means the asphalt is actively shedding its protective coating — a clear sign the shingles are in the final stage of their lifespan.
Ceiling Stains or Discoloration Indoors
A brown or yellow ring on your ceiling is not a fresh problem — it’s the end of a long journey that started at a breach in the roof and traveled through insulation and framing before arriving in your living space. The actual entry point is almost never directly above the stain.
Visible Sagging or Deflection in the Roofline
A roofline that sags between rafters or shows a noticeable dip when viewed from the ground indicates structural failure — either in the deck, the rafters, or both. This is not a cosmetic issue. It is a load-bearing problem.
Moss, Algae, or Lichen Growth on Shingles
Biological growth on shingles is more than cosmetic. Moss holds moisture against the shingle surface and accelerates freeze-thaw damage. Lichen physically bonds to the granule surface and removes granules when it’s cleaned — either way, the shingle beneath is being compromised.
Shingles Visible in Your Yard After Wind
A shingle on the ground after a windstorm means the roof’s wind resistance has been compromised somewhere. Individual missing shingles are repairable — but the surrounding shingles may also be lifted or re-sealed incorrectly, making adjacent sections vulnerable even after patching.
Evidence of Pests in the Attic
Squirrels, raccoons, birds, and bats enter attics through roof-level gaps — at fascia edges, soffit intersections, or areas of damaged decking. Pest activity in the attic almost always has a corresponding entry point at the roof level that is also a water intrusion risk.
The Process
What to Expect During Your Roof Inspection
A NorTech Roof Inspection covers both the exterior roof surface and the interior attic — the two views that together give the full picture of roof condition. Most visits take 60–90 minutes.
Ground-Level Perimeter Assessment
The inspection begins with a full ground-level walk-around — evaluating roofline shape, drainage angles, gutter condition, soffit and fascia, and any visible surface issues before the technician accesses the roof itself.
Roof Surface Walk & Flashing Inspection
Your technician walks all accessible roof surfaces systematically — inspecting shingles, all flashing points (chimney, skylights, vents, valleys, walls), ridge and hip caps, and any penetrations from the exterior.
Attic Interior Inspection
The attic is inspected from the inside — examining decking and rafters for water staining, mold, or rot; checking insulation condition; verifying ventilation function; and cross-referencing any surface findings with interior evidence.
24-Hour Digital Report
Your full report is delivered within 24 hours — exterior and attic findings organized by component, photos of every flagged item, severity ratings, estimated remaining lifespan, and repair cost estimates stored in your customer portal.
What Does a Roof Inspection Cost?
Pricing varies by roof size, pitch, and number of structures. Get your exact quote in minutes — no obligation to proceed with any repairs.
Before Your Visit
How to Prepare for Your Roof Inspection
A few simple steps ensure your technician can access every area safely and deliver the most accurate assessment.
Prep Checklist
- Clear attic access — remove boxes, stored items, or obstacles blocking the attic hatch and the area directly below it. Your technician needs to enter and move freely.
- Clear areas near the home’s exterior — move patio furniture, vehicles, or stored items away from the foundation perimeter and roof access zones
- Unlock side gates — your technician needs to access all sides of the property to inspect gutters and assess the full roofline
- Know your roof’s age if possible — if you have any records of the last roof installation or significant repair, have them ready to share with your technician
- Note any specific concerns — write down rooms where you’ve noticed ceiling staining, drafts, or any indoor signs you’ve observed
- Secure pets — keep pets indoors or in a contained area away from the roof access zones and exterior perimeter
Related Services
Other Inspections & Roof-Related Services
Pair your inspection with these services to address findings and protect the full envelope.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about what the Roof Inspection covers, how findings are used, and what happens next.
Yes — and this is one of the most valuable uses of the report. Your inspection includes timestamped photos, documented findings, and severity ratings that establish the condition of the roof at a specific date. This documentation is exactly what insurance adjusters need to process storm damage claims. Book as soon as possible after a storm event — the sooner you document, the stronger your claim.
Active leaks are a late-stage symptom. Cracking rubber boot flashings, failing caulk around skylights, and moss holding moisture against shingles are all active failure processes that don’t produce a visible drip until they’re well advanced. An inspection finds these failure modes when they’re still a $200–$400 repair — not after they’ve saturated the insulation and become a $5,000 attic remediation.
Yes, for accessible roof surfaces — your technician walks the roof to get close-up assessment of shingles, flashing, and ridge components that can’t be properly evaluated from the ground. Extremely steep pitches or specific safety conditions may limit physical access to certain sections, in which case these areas are documented with their access limitations noted in the report.
Major findings are documented with Urgent severity ratings, clear photos, and estimated repair costs in your report. You’re never pressured to act immediately during the inspection. Once you have the report, you can request a repair quote through your customer portal, get competing bids, or consult with your insurance company — whatever makes sense for your situation.
For most homes: annually, and after any major storm. If your roof is under 10 years old and in good condition, every 2–3 years may be sufficient unless a storm event occurs. Roofs over 15 years old benefit from annual inspection because the failure timeline accelerates significantly as shingles approach end of life — and early identification of the specific weak points can defer a full replacement by several years.
A general home inspector provides a broad overview of all systems including a brief roof assessment — typically from the ground or a ladder at the eave. NorTech’s Roof Inspection is a dedicated, specialist-level assessment that includes walking the roof surface, entering the attic, inspecting every flashing point, and evaluating drainage — producing a far more detailed report than a general inspection’s roof section.
Yes — same-day availability in 100+ cities. For post-storm situations or active leak events, flag the urgency when booking and we’ll prioritize your appointment. Early documentation after storm damage is critical for insurance claims, so the sooner we can get a technician there, the better your options.
