Roof Certifications and Inspections: Do You Need One?

You have probably heard about a home inspection before, but a roofing certification isn’t part of that process. A home inspection doesn’t involve a roof inspection. Most of those individuals aren’t familiar with all of the regulations and rules involving roofing. A roofing inspector is going to climb on your roof and give you a report pertaining to:

• The overall condition of your roofing materials

• An inspection of how the roof was installed

• The roof flashings at penetrations and intersections

The biggest challenge that comes when you are trying to get a roof inspection done is that the person doing the inspection isn’t always going to have the necessary credentials to do the job right. You need someone who is familiar with all of the building codes in the area. Make sure the expert you hire is actually familiar with all of the different roofing products on the market and the requirements from the manufacturer.

Is Roof Certification Actually Worth It?

A roof certification isn’t a guarantee or warranty on the roof. It is simply an inspection to let you know what the condition of the roof is. Buyers and lenders need to know that the roof isn’t going to leak during the specified period of time. Because of this, you might want to call in an independent inspector to do the job for you. Where are you going to find one of these individuals? You don’t want someone who is going to push you into repairs or replacement of your roof that you don’t need. You want someone who is going to be honest and trustworthy.

Sellers are often looking to get rid of the home without having to spend a fortune on roof repairs. Don’t let the seller bring in their own inspector to do the job. You might find them insisting that something doesn’t need to be done when it really does. It can leave you wondering just how sturdy the roof is on the home.

If there isn’t anything that is damaged and the roof isn’t actually leaking, it will probably last you another five years or so before you have to mess with it. There have been instances of roofs covered with moss, debris, fungi, algae and more that have lasted far beyond what was originally thought.

If you don’t know where to turn for a roofing inspection, turn to a pro. Don’t waste time with someone who doesn’t understand roofing. Talk to someone who has plenty of experience in the industry. Once they come out and do an inspection on the property, you will have the peace of mind you need in knowing that your roof is going to last for quite some time.