WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A HOME INSPECTION: Roof

When your inspector arrives at your address to do the Home Inspection; one of the initial inspections he makes is an immediate visual inspection of the roof. This initial inspection should alert the inspector to procedures such as taking a close look at flashing, if there is a fireplace chimney or other types of protrusions in the roof. A thorough examination cannot be done from the ground. Most inspectors will get on the roof with a long ladder and do a very close examination, unless the pitch of the roof is very steep. Then the inspector should at the very least use binoculars to get a fairly good picture of the shape of the roof. (A steep roof pitch would be one greater than 6:12.) The inspector should be looking for roof covering material, flashing, loose or missing shingles or other components, and vents for the attic. Roof coverings are of of many different materials. Most common are asphalt shingles or split ceder type. The inspector will examine the roof closely for the following: * loose or missing shingles * missing roof "jacks" or vent caps for plumbing and attic vents * flashing and "step" flashing along walls and chimneys * ridge-caps missing or loose * metal roof edge under shingles * under layment Although the roof is a very important component of the overall inspection, the life span of most roof materials is at least 15-20 years. Make sure you look in the Declarations of the Purchase Agreement for the age of the roof. And, as always, make sure your inspector is certified. Remember, a good Certified Home Inspection will "SEAL THE DEAL".