Georgia Roof Guide

How is a roof inspection carried out, step by step?

Short answer. A thorough roof inspection moves from the outside in: a ground walk around, a close look at the roof surface and every penetration, a check of gutters and edges, and then the attic for leaks and ventilation. It ends with photos and a plain explanation of what was found and what, if anything, needs doing.

1. Ground walk around

The inspector circles the house looking at roof lines for sagging, at gutters and downspouts, at fascia and soffits, and at soft metals like window wraps, mailboxes and AC fins that show hail size after a storm.

2. The roof surface

Where safe, the inspector walks the roof; where not, a drone takes close photos. They look for:

3. Penetrations and flashing

Pipe boots, vents, chimney flashing, skylights, and step flashing at walls. These are the most common leak sources.

4. Edges and drainage

Drip edge, starter course, valleys, and how water leaves the roof into the gutters.

5. The attic

Stains, daylight, damp insulation, mold, and ventilation: is there intake at the soffits and exhaust near the ridge, and are bath fans vented outside?

6. Report

Photos of each issue with a plain description, an estimate of remaining life, and recommendations: no action, repair, replacement, or an insurance claim if storm damage is found.

For what to ask during the visit, see what to expect from a roof inspection, and for common problem areas, common roof leak causes.

In depth

What are the signs you need a new roof?Granule loss, curling, cracking, leaks, daylight in the attic and age: how to read each sign of a failing roofWhat are the parts of a roof, and what does each one do?Decking, underlayment, ice and water barrier, drip edge, starter strip, shingles, flashing, valleys, vents andWhy do moss and lichen grow on north Georgia roofs, and how do you get rid of them?Why shade and humidity grow moss and lichen on north Georgia roofs, what they do to shingles, how to remove th

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