How often should a roof be inspected by a professional?
Short answer. Have a professional inspect your roof about once a year, and also after any significant hail or wind storm. Newer roofs can go every other year if nothing has happened, while roofs past about 15 years in Georgia deserve a yearly look without fail.
A simple schedule
- Years 1 to 10: every one to two years, plus after storms. Catches installation issues and storm damage early.
- Years 10 to 15: yearly. Pipe boots, sealants and flashing begin to age.
- Over 15 years: yearly, and before renewing insurance or listing the home. You want to know remaining life before someone else tells you.
Best time of year in Georgia
Late winter or early spring catches anything from the cool season before spring storms arrive, and fall catches summer storm damage before leaves start piling up. Either works; the key is making it routine.
Always after storms
Hail an inch or larger, or winds strong enough to bring down branches, can damage a roof without obvious signs from the ground. Insurance policies also have deadlines for reporting damage, so an inspection soon after a storm protects your options. Check your area's history at North Georgia Hail Map.
What a professional sees that you cannot
- Early hail bruising that shows only on close inspection.
- Unsealed or creased shingles from wind.
- Cracked pipe boot rubber.
- Flashing pulling away at walls and chimneys.
- Attic signs of slow leaks.
Between visits, do your own ground check; see the Georgia roof maintenance checklist and what to expect from a roof inspection.