What Actually Happens During a Roof Inspection (Step by Step)

A 'free roof inspection' can mean five minutes of looking at the roof from the driveway or it can mean a thorough 27-point assessment with a written report. Here's exactly what happens during a Tri-State inspection so you know what to expect — and what to demand from any roofer.

Pre-arrival. We confirm the appointment by phone or text the morning of, give you an arrival window, and let you know when we're 15 minutes out. No surprise visits.

Exterior walk-around. Before climbing, we walk the perimeter and photograph the property from the ground. We look for shingles in the yard, granule trails near downspouts, sagging gutters, peeling fascia paint, and any signs of overflow staining on the siding.

Roof access and walk. We use proper extension ladders with stabilizers, three-point contact, and harnesses on anything over 6/12 pitch. Every accessible slope gets walked. We check shingle condition, seal-strip integrity, flashing at every penetration (chimney, vents, skylights, walls), drip edge, ridge cap, and ventilation components.

Attic inspection from below. While outside team checks the roof, we (or a second technician) check the attic with flashlight. We look at the underside of the deck for daylight, water stains, mold, or wet insulation. We verify ventilation flow (soffit baffles open, ridge vent unblocked) and check for any signs of pest entry.

Chimney and masonry. If your home has a chimney, we inspect the crown for cracks, the mortar joints for deterioration, the flashing for separation from the masonry, and the cap or chase cover for damage. Chimney leaks are usually the source when homeowners think the roof is leaking.

Documentation. Every issue we find gets photographed with the location noted. We don't just say 'flashing damaged' — we say 'step flashing at northeast chimney corner pulled away from masonry, gap approximately 1/4 inch, photograph attached.'

Written report. Within 24 hours you receive a written report with all findings, photographs, severity ratings, and our recommendation: monitor, repair, or replace. The report is yours to keep — useful for insurance, home sale prep, or just records.

No-pressure conversation. We don't try to sell you anything during the inspection. If the roof is fine, we tell you it's fine. If it needs repair, we quote the repair. If it needs replacement, we quote that — with no high-pressure follow-up if you decide to wait or get other estimates.