Do Home Inspectors Walk on Roofs during Inspections?

The simple answer to this is “Yes”, if your inspector is actually doing a thorough home inspection. Platinum Property Inspections always includes walking on the roof as part of the inspection on your Prescott home. And we’d like to give you a few reasons why.

Why? – Your roof is the part of your house that protects the rest of the house, so it’s important to make sure it’s in good shape to do its job. Any issue with the roof puts the entire home in jeopardy. A leak can be bold and obvious or it might be a slight drip that goes unnoticed for so long that it causes major damage. Knowing how important your roof is, here are a few things the inspector checks.

Age – When an inspector gets up on the roof, he can generally judge the age of the roof and also the condition of the roofing materials. Roofing usually has a lifespan of about 15 to 20 years, and some may last much longer. But when it’s time to replace, it’s a major investment.

Flashing, gutters, and downspouts  – These protect the home from uncontrolled runoff, which could otherwise damage siding and even flood the crawlspace or basement. If a gutter slopes the wrong direction, if it’s missing or damaged, or if the flashing is inferior or missing, water may spill over and cause damage.

Roofing material and seals – The roof covering is the most obvious feature in this part of a home inspection, but there are many other elements that make up the whole roof system. Most roofs have vents from plumbing and gas appliances, which are potential leak sources. Ridge vents are part of the inspection, as well. Chimneys and other roof penetrations, such as skylights, are also included.

People notice the front door, the landscaping and even the color of the siding when purchasing a home. But roofing gets very little attention and is often taken for granted, especially considering the critical role that it plays in protecting the entire structure.

Roof inspections matter. That’s why Platinum Property Inspections includes walking the roof. If you need a property inspection on your Prescott home, whether you’re buying a new home or want to double check everything before your two-year contractor’s warranty expires, please give us a call at 928-713-0889 for a free estimate.

June 21, 2018

Contact Platinum Property Inspections for professional, thorough property inspections in Prescott
Simply inspecting a roof won’t necessarily turn up defects in the structural integrity of the attic. The surface of the roof may look fine, but inside the attic you might find broken trusses or rafters. A home inspection would reveal and note any stress cracks that may cause the integrity of a roof to be compromised. On the plus side, it would also give home buyers confidence that everything is up to code. Platinum Property Inspections will use their decades of experience in the construction industry and professional training to detect, explain, and report all issues that are discovered in your Prescott home inspection.

Truss/Rafter damage in an attic
When a home inspector looks at the attic, he might discover that the rafters are of another color than natural wood. This could indicate that there had been a fire in the home at some time. The wood might even be black, scorched or sooty, a sure sign of a previous fire. However, if the wood is painted white, this could be a sign that fire damage was covered up because painting wood helps to eliminate the smell.

Water damage to an attic
Rain normally flows from the top down and very rarely enters a home sideways. A good home inspector will look for staining on the wood supports or on the walls which would indicate that water had leaked (or is still leaking) through the roof. The inspector also looks for condensation from around pipes, which can cause wood to deteriorate.

Attic insulation
Some attics have been insulated by blowing in insulation, others by laying fiberglass batts. Fiberglass insulation is rated with an R factor. The higher the R number, the higher the insulating efficiency. The home inspector will note if the batts are facing in the right direction, that is, whether the paper side is up or down. Properly insulated attics will cut down on your heating and cooling costs.

Rodent Damage in the Attic
The giveaway that a rodent has been living in the attic is often evidence of pellet droppings left behind by squirrels, raccoons, possums, rats or mice. Often these critters enter attics through loose boards or through the eaves. These creatures can cause quite a bit of damage.

The attic is an important factor in the integrity of a home, and attic damage is one of the things that can be discovered in a thorough home inspection of your Prescott home. Call Platinum Property Inspections at 928-713-0889 for an expert home inspection.