Why a Roof Inspection Matters
Every expensive roof repair we do started as a cheap one that nobody caught. A cracked pipe boot is a $500 fix. The same boot leaking into the deck for three winters is a $2,600 section rebuild. An inspection is how you get the first bill instead of the second.
A roof inspection finds:
- Active leaks and water intrusion, and where they're actually coming from
- Hail and wind damage that isn't visible from the ground
- Missing, lifted, or curling shingles
- Flashing, valley, chimney, and skylight problems
- Ventilation and insulation issues that cause ice dams
- Wood rot in the deck, at the eaves, or around penetrations
- How much life the roof realistically has left
What Our Roof Inspection Includes
Our inspection isn't a walk around the house with a clipboard. It's the same process our inspectors run before every estimate, and it's documented on an inspection sheet we fill out on every roof. That sheet is one of the layers of accountability we've built so we can promise the outcome, not just describe it.
On the roof, we check the shingles or membrane, the flashing at every wall, chimney, and penetration, the valleys, the pipe boots, the vents, the skylights, and the eaves and edges where ice dams start. We note the layer count, the deck type, and the deck condition. We look at the gutters and how they're hung.
In the attic, when we can get in, we check the underside of the deck for staining and rot, the insulation depth and condition, and the ventilation, both intake and exhaust. Most ice dam and premature roof failure problems in West Michigan start in the attic, not on the roof.
Around the house, we look at the siding, the ground, and anything else that affects how the roof performs or how a repair would be done.
For storm damage, our inspectors are Haag Certified in wind and hail assessment for residential and commercial roofs, and we are one of the few roofing companies in Michigan whose inspectors hold that certification. When we document hail, an adjuster recognizes the work.
After the inspection, you get a written report with photos and a plain answer: repair, maintain, replace, or leave it alone. And what each of those would cost.
When Should You Schedule a Roof Inspection?
Buying a home is worth calling out on its own. A general home inspector looks at the roof from a ladder or a drone for a few minutes. Our inspector gets on it. If you're about to write the biggest check of your life, know what's on top of the house first.
- The roof is more than 15 to 20 years old
- A storm has come through, especially with hail or high wind
- You can see missing, lifted, or curling shingles from the ground
- There are water stains on a ceiling or wall, or a musty smell in the attic
- Icicles or ice dams show up every winter
- You're buying or selling a home
- It's been more than a few years since anyone was up there
Roof Inspections for Homes and Businesses
Every roof gets the inspection built for its system. A shingle roof, a flat TPO roof, and a metal warehouse roof fail differently, and we check each one for what actually goes wrong on it.
- Residential homes
- Commercial buildings
- Apartment complexes and multi-family
- Office buildings
- Retail properties
- Industrial facilities and warehouses
We're Not Here to Sell You a Roof
The point of the inspection is to tell you the truth about the roof. Sometimes that's a full replacement. More often it's a repair and a plan. And sometimes it's "your roof is fine, we'll see you in a few years."
We say all three, because we're the ones who'd have to do the work either way, and we'd rather do the right job than the big one.
Roof Inspections Across West Michigan
Grand Rapids · Holland · Ada · Kalamazoo · Rockford · And Surrounding Communities
If you're looking for a roof inspection near you, our team is ready to help.