Roofs
Roof inspection
A focused look at the roof covering, flashing, gutters and penetrations, plus the underside of the roof from the attic. Michael has completed InterNACHI's Roof Inspections course.
Who it's for
Buyers who want more detail on the roof, owners getting ready for the rainy season, and anyone who has noticed a stain on a ceiling and wants to know what's above it.
Composition shingle, wood shake, tile, metal and low-slope roofs are all common here, and each wears differently.
Where roofs usually need attention
What's covered
- Roof coveringCondition of the shingles, shakes, tiles, metal or membrane, and signs of wear, damage or past repairs.
- FlashingAt walls, chimneys, skylights, valleys and vents, where most leaks start.
- PenetrationsPlumbing vents, exhaust vents, skylights and chimneys.
- DrainageGutters, downspouts and where the water is carried away.
- Attic viewRoof framing, sheathing, stains and ventilation as seen from inside the attic, where it can be entered.
From the attic and the walls
What you get
- Report within 24 hours.
- A written report on the roof's visible condition, with notes on anything that may need repair, monitoring or a roofer's evaluation.
- A note of how the roof was viewed, so you know what was and wasn't seen.
Edges, gutters and drainage
Honest notes
How the roof is viewed depends on its pitch, height, surface, the weather that day and safety. It may be walked, viewed from a ladder at the eaves, or viewed from the ground, and the report records which.
No inspection can promise a roof won't leak. A roof certification is a different document, issued by a roofing contractor.
Home inspections follow the InterNACHI Standards of Practice: a visual, non-invasive look at the readily accessible parts of the house.
Questions
Do you walk on the roof?
When it's safe to, yes. Steep, high, wet or fragile roofs are viewed another way, and the report notes the method used.
Can you tell me how old the roof is?
The report describes the roof's visible condition. The exact age often can't be known by looking; permits, receipts or the seller's records are the best source.
Is a roof inspection the same as a roof certification?
No. In California, roof certifications are issued by roofing contractors. A roof inspection is an independent look at the roof's condition.
Related services
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Rather talk it through? Call (707) 533-7579, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, or email [email protected].