A well-functioning roof is critical to the safety and stability of a home. Undetected problems can lead to serious structural issues and expensive repair bills. A professional roof inspection from Roofing Contractors South Jersey can identify trouble spots before they become major problems. This helps homeowners avoid costly repairs and extend the life of their roofs.
Material Inspection
Your roof protects your house, sheds rain, keeps out wind and snow and allows air to circulate. It’s a complex system, and it can only perform its jobs if the parts that make up the roof are in good shape. That’s why it’s a good idea to schedule an annual inspection and take care of any problems that pop up.
During a visual inspection, your inspector will look at the condition of the roofing materials to see if they are still performing their intended functions. For example, on shingle roofs your inspector will look for curling, loose or missing shingles, moss and stains. They’ll also pay special attention to roof valleys, which are a common location for leaks.
If you have a metal, clay or slate tile roof, your inspector will examine the fasteners to see that they are secure and free of damage. They will check for rust, corrosion and split seams as well. Your inspector will also examine any vent pipes, media installations and other penetrations to make sure the seals around them are in good condition.
Even the best roofing materials won’t do their job if they aren’t installed properly. Your inspector will look for workmanship issues that may have resulted from the initial roof installation or repairs later on, and they’ll make recommendations if necessary.
Some parts of your roof aren’t easy to access from the ground, and some might not be safe for an inspector to get on if they aren’t properly trained. In these cases, your inspector might use a drone or other tools to gather information about the condition of the roof without risking their safety or the integrity of your home.
Since water penetration from a damaged roof can affect every room in the house, your inspector will also check ceilings, attics and walls for evidence of moisture intrusion. This part of the inspection will help them spot problems before they cause major damage or mold and mildew buildup. If your inspector finds evidence of leaks, they’ll recommend repairs to the roofing and other systems affected by the leaks.
Structural Inspection
A structural inspection near me involves a thorough examination of the roof and the framing components to determine their condition and how they are functioning. It is typically done when home inspectors suspect that a building or structure may have issues with the foundation, framing, or other weight bearing areas beyond what a general home inspection can cover. This type of inspection is conducted by a licensed professional engineer who has studied and learned how all of the components of a building interact and influence each other to form a stable structure.
During a structural inspection, the examining professional will check the roof and framing for signs of sagging or warping that could compromise the integrity of the structure. They will also check for shingle deterioration such as curling, loose or missing shingles and moss as well as any gutters or downspouts that are damaged or clogged. They will also take a close look at the chimney, attic vents, and gable and soffit vents to ensure that they are open and properly functioning.
The examining professional will also examine the attic and interior framing for mold, wood rot, insect activity, and any water stains that could be indicative of a leaky roof. If the attic is not accessible, they will check for proper ventilation in order to keep the structure cool and regulate humidity.
When conducting a roof inspection, the examining professional will also use a thermal imaging camera to locate hot spots on the roof. This is an important part of the inspection as it allows them to see any areas that are warmer than they should be. This indicates that there is an underlying problem and it will likely need to be addressed sooner rather than later.
While home inspectors can sometimes understand the issue that is causing a concern, only a licensed Professional Engineer can offer their expert opinion on how to fix it. This is why a structural inspection is so valuable, as it can save individuals a great deal of time and money. They can then make sure that their home or business can be safely used for years to come.
Flashing Inspection
Although the roof appears to be a passive feature of the house, it is actually a working system that performs multiple vital functions. It sheds rain and snow, keeps wind and air out, protects the structure and interior, and allows the passage of light and heat.
As such, it’s a very important system, and it requires periodic maintenance to ensure that it continues to perform its vital tasks. That’s why a roof inspection is so important. An inspector can identify problems before they have a chance to cause serious damage and costly repairs.
During the inspection, the inspector will examine the roof materials for loose or missing shingles; stains, moss or fungus; and rust. He or she will also look at the flashing (the strips of metal that connect the roof to the walls) around penetrations such as skylights, dormers, vent pipes and chimneys for signs of leakage or improper installation.
Leaks are a major concern for any home. The inspector will check inside the attic and, if available, in the interior of the home for evidence of roof leaks. This might include water stains, mold, rot and other signs of leakage. In addition, the inspector will inspect the rubber boots and seals around vent pipes and other penetrations to make sure they are in good condition.
The inspector will also inspect the flashing for rust, cracks or gaps. If these are found, the inspector may recommend that the flashing be replaced. The inspector will also look for corroded flashing, but this is not a major issue unless it is very corroded and the house needs to be re-roofed soon to prevent moisture intrusion.
A roof inspection is usually performed from the ground, using a pair of binoculars or an unpowered ladder. This is safer than climbing on the roof and gives the inspector a clear view of any areas that need attention. Infrared imaging is sometimes used during a roof inspection, but it requires special training and specialized equipment that not every inspector has. This is a very effective tool in some situations, however, so the inspector will use it when appropriate.
Gutters and Downspouts Inspection
During this step of the inspection, a home inspector will look at gutters and downspouts for signs of leakage. They’ll also check for shingle granules, which are indicative of a deteriorating shingle. They’ll also look for any other areas where debris has accumulated. After examining these areas, they’ll compare their findings to the map they made earlier. Any discrepancies may indicate a new area of concern that needs to be investigated further.
Rain gutters are placed at the eves of the roof and have one simple job: they collect roof water runoff and guide it toward a drain point known as a downspout. Ideally, these downspouts are configured in such a way that they discharge the water away from the foundation of the structure. Inspectors will also examine downspouts for proper slope, and for any areas of obstruction or clogging. They’ll also check the condition of fascia and soffit boards, which are located under the roof overhangs.
A qualified inspector will also pay attention to the roof valleys, which are potential weak spots for leaks. They’ll also scan the roof’s wooden frame for structural stability, checking rafters and joists for rot or damage, as well as inspecting trusses and walls for any evidence of water damage.
Inspectors will also examine any penetrations that have the potential to create leaks, such as skylights, chimneys, and vent pipes. They’ll look for rust on the thin metal flashing that lines these penetrations, as well as any cracks or gaps around their edges.
Using a thermal imaging camera, inspectors can scan the entire roof surface for any areas that appear unusually warm or are in a different location than their neighbors. They’ll then mark these locations on their map and investigate further with a visual examination. If they find any issues that need to be investigated further, they’ll take a closer look at these areas with the thermal imager again. This process will help them get a better understanding of the problem and make more informed repair decisions. This can save homeowners money and prevent the need for costly repairs in the future.