What Roof Inspectors Actually Look For (Beyond Shingles)

Certified ProfessionalLicensed & Insured Team

Shingles are just the start. The flashing, ventilation, drainage, and attic details that separate a real inspection from a quick glance.

Ask a homeowner what a roof inspector checks and you will hear 'the shingles.' Ask the inspector and you get a much longer list. Here is what Roof Inspection Co's certified inspectors actually evaluate during a Perth Amboy roof inspection — and why the less glamorous items cause most of the leaks.

Wind-damaged roof edge with lifted shingles and yard debris.

The leak points: flashing and penetrations

C

h

i

m

n

e

y

s

,

s

k

y

l

i

g

h

t

s

,

v

e

n

t

p

i

p

e

s

,

a

n

d

v

a

l

l

e

y

s

a

r

e

w

h

e

r

e

r

o

o

f

s

a

r

e

i

n

t

e

r

r

u

p

t

e

d

—

a

n

d

w

h

e

r

e

m

o

s

t

l

e

a

k

s

b

e

g

i

n

.

I

n

s

p

e

c

t

o

r

s

c

h

e

c

k

s

t

e

p

f

l

a

s

h

i

n

g

,

c

o

u

n

t

e

r

-

f

l

a

s

h

i

n

g

,

p

i

p

e

b

o

o

t

s

,

s

e

a

l

a

n

t

c

o

n

d

i

t

i

o

n

,

a

n

d

v

a

l

l

e

y

m

e

t

a

l

c

l

o

s

e

l

y

.

A

r

o

o

f

w

i

t

h

p

e

r

f

e

c

t

s

h

i

n

g

l

e

s

a

n

d

f

a

i

l

e

d

f

l

a

s

h

i

n

g

s

t

i

l

l

l

e

a

k

s

.

The system: ventilation and drainage

T

h

e

i

n

s

p

e

c

t

o

r

e

v

a

l

u

a

t

e

s

w

h

e

t

h

e

r

i

n

t

a

k

e

a

n

d

e

x

h

a

u

s

t

v

e

n

t

i

l

a

t

i

o

n

a

r

e

b

a

l

a

n

c

e

d

,

w

h

e

t

h

e

r

g

u

t

t

e

r

s

a

n

d

d

o

w

n

s

p

o

u

t

s

a

c

t

u

a

l

l

y

m

o

v

e

w

a

t

e

r

a

w

a

y

,

a

n

d

w

h

e

t

h

e

r

v

a

l

l

e

y

s

a

n

d

l

o

w

s

p

o

t

s

d

r

a

i

n

o

r

p

o

n

d

.

T

h

e

s

e

s

y

s

t

e

m

-

l

e

v

e

l

i

s

s

u

e

s

d

e

t

e

r

m

i

n

e

r

o

o

f

l

i

f

e

s

p

a

n

a

s

m

u

c

h

a

s

m

a

t

e

r

i

a

l

c

o

n

d

i

t

i

o

n

d

o

e

s

.

The hidden half: the attic

F

r

o

m

i

n

s

i

d

e

,

t

h

e

i

n

s

p

e

c

t

o

r

l

o

o

k

s

f

o

r

a

c

t

i

v

e

l

e

a

k

s

,

h

i

s

t

o

r

i

c

w

a

t

e

r

s

t

a

i

n

i

n

g

,

m

o

l

d

,

c

o

m

p

r

e

s

s

e

d

o

r

m

i

s

s

i

n

g

i

n

s

u

l

a

t

i

o

n

,

a

n

d

e

x

h

a

u

s

t

f

a

n

s

t

e

r

m

i

n

a

t

i

n

g

i

n

t

o

t

h

e

a

t

t

i

c

i

n

s

t

e

a

d

o

f

o

u

t

s

i

d

e

.

A

t

t

i

c

f

i

n

d

i

n

g

s

o

f

t

e

n

e

x

p

l

a

i

n

e

x

t

e

r

i

o

r

s

y

m

p

t

o

m

s

—

a

n

d

r

e

v

e

a

l

p

r

o

b

l

e

m

s

w

i

t

h

n

o

e

x

t

e

r

i

o

r

s

i

g

n

a

t

a

l

l

.

Related Inspection Services

Serving These Perth Amboy Areas

Keep Reading

Common Questions

What is the most common thing inspectors find?

Failed pipe boots and dried flashing sealant — small, inexpensive fixes that cause outsized damage when ignored.

Do inspectors check gutters?

Yes. Drainage is part of the roofing system, and overflowing or detached gutters damage fascia, soffits, and foundations.

How do I know the inspection was thorough?

You receive a photo-documented written report covering all these areas. If the 'report' is a verbal thumbs-up, it was not an inspection.

Not Sure What Your Roof Needs? Start With an Inspection.

Call Roof Inspection Co at (888) 974-0663 — your local licensed expert in Perth Amboy, NJ. Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Sun: Closed. Our call representatives are available 24/7 for emergencies.

← All guides

Call (888) 974-0663Call Now