ServicesRoof Inspections
Roof Inspections in Hilliard
We climb up, then crawl into the attic, checking every patch, pipe boot and flashing joint along the way. You get photos of each problem spot and a plain answer on what is holding and what is not. Any work we turn up comes with a free estimate.
What a Roof Inspection Tells You
Shingles that look tidy from the street can still be passing water to the plywood below. An inspection catches that early, before it turns into a stained ceiling. We check the surface, the edges, every opening cut through the roof and the wood underneath from the attic side.
Older houses need a slower look. A roof that has been up for decades has usually had more than one crew on it. We often find tar smeared over a leak instead of new flashing, a second layer of shingles nailed over the first, or rubber pipe boots split by years of Florida sun. A quick glance misses all of that. We follow each old repair and tell you whether it is still doing its job.
Good times to book one: before you buy or list a house, when your insurer wants to know the roof's condition, after a hard storm, or when the roof is getting on in years and you would rather plan than guess.
Everything We Look At
Condition of the shingles
We record lost granules, cracked or raised tabs, curling edges and nails backing out. If moss or algae is growing, we note that and how it's affecting the shingles under it.
Flashing and vent boots
Most leaks begin at chimneys, walls, valleys and vent pipes. We inspect the metal, the sealant and the boots, and give extra attention to anything patched in the past.
Decking from the attic side
From the attic, the plywood shows what's going on: stains, dark or soft areas, light coming through at nail holes, mold. On older homes we also look for plank decking with wide gaps, since that affects what can be installed over it.
Attic airflow
When air doesn't move, shingles bake from underneath and moisture builds up. We look at the soffit and ridge vents and let you know if the attic is venting properly.
Roof edges, gutters and fascia
Gutters that are clogged or sagging send water back behind the drip edge. While we're at it, we check the fascia boards for rot.
Pictures and a report in plain words
We hand over photos of what we saw and a written summary without jargon. Each item lands in one of three groups: fix now, keep an eye on, or fine as is.
Signs It's Time to Have Your Roof Looked At
- Water marks on the ceiling
- A stain on any ceiling tells you rain found a way in. The spot where it enters the roof usually sits a few feet higher up the slope than the stain.
- Grit collecting in the gutters
- Worn shingles lose their coating bit by bit. When you find piles of grit near the downspouts, the shingles are close to the end of their life.
- Repairs you can spot from the yard
- Mismatched shingles or black tar across the flashing mean another crew has worked up there. We find out if those repairs are still doing their job.
- After a hard blow
- Strong wind can raise shingles and snap their seal while leaving them in place. That kind of damage is hard to spot from the ground.
- No record of the roof's age
- Buying a home with no roof history leaves you guessing. An inspection sets a baseline, and it comes in handy when your insurer has questions.
How Inspection Day Goes
- 1
Call to book a day
On the phone we ask about your house and anything you've spotted, then choose a date. Let us know about any past repairs and we'll begin with those.
- 2
Look over the outside
We study the roof from the yard first, then put up the ladder and walk the surface when it's safe. If the roof is steep or fragile, we inspect from the ladder and the edges.
- 3
Head into the attic
With a flashlight, we go up through the hatch and look at the underside of the decking, plus the vents and insulation. This is where hidden leaks and old rot usually show first.
- 4
Go over it together
Back on the ground, we show you each photo and explain what it means. When something needs attention, we say whether a roof repair will cover it or a roof replacement is the better route, and the estimate is free.
What Affects the Cost of an Inspection
If your roof was hit by a storm, the inspection is free. For a routine check, the price depends on the house and what you need the report for. Any repair or replacement work we find comes with a free, no-obligation estimate.
- How big and how steep
- More square footage and a steeper pitch mean more time on the ladder, more care with footing and more photos. A low, simple roof goes faster.
- Attic access
- A pull-down ladder and room to move make the attic check easy. A tight hatch or no access at all changes how we do it.
- Layers and past repairs
- A roof with two layers of shingles or years of patches takes more time to read. We have to trace each fix.
- Type of report
- A quick verbal rundown is different from a detailed written report with photos for a sale or an insurer.
What People Ask About Roof Inspections
- How much time does an inspection take?
- Plan on about an hour, sometimes less. A roof with extra layers or a long string of old patches can take a bit more. We go over what we found with you before we leave.
- Do I have to be home for it?
- Being there helps with getting into the attic, and we like to show you the photos in person. If you're tied up that day, tell us when you call and we'll work something out.
- Are you just trying to sell me a new roof?
- No. When a repair is enough, that's what we suggest. When the roof still has some good years, we tell you so you can budget ahead. The photos show you the same thing we saw.
- Who does the repairs if you find a problem?
- We do, with our own crew. We're a licensed general contractor, and repairs and replacements we do carry a 5-year workmanship warranty. Having us inspect doesn't mean you have to hire us.
- Will the inspection help with an insurance claim?
- It can help. When we're out because of a storm, there's no charge, and we take close-up photos of each damaged area. We also deal with your insurance adjuster ourselves. The adjuster still makes the call, but clear records take out a lot of guessing. Our storm damage repair page has more.
Find Out Where Your Roof Really Stands
We will check the old repairs, the attic and everything in between, then tell you straight what we found. Financing is available if the roof needs work.