Roof inspections help to ensure that any house or other commercial property remains healthy and long-lasting. Whether buying a new property, selling a current one, or just wanting to ensure your roof remains in shape, it becomes necessary to understand the process of roof inspection. One of the most common questions from property managers and homeowners is, “How long does a roof inspection take?” It all depends on various factors, but let’s break down generally what you might expect.
What Happens During a Roof Inspection?
Before providing you with a timeline, it would be beneficial if you have an idea of what a roof inspection entails. General steps are involved in roof inspections and should be followed to the letter. First, he will do the exterior inspection. He will start by just giving a visual inspection of your roof, while standing on the ground. The inspector looks for obvious signs of damage, such as missing shingles, sagging areas, or accumulation of debris on the roofing surface. They might examine the surface of the roofing up-close with the help of a ladder or drones. It will most nearly involve close-up inspections of the condition of the shingles, tiles, or metal panels, and of the flashings around chimneys, vents, and other roof penetrations. Additionally, gutters and downspouts are checked for blockages, damage, or poor installation, all of which could affect drainage of water from the roof.
The interior inspection immediately follows and focuses on the attic area. The inspector will check for any signs of leaking, accumulation of moisture, mold, or structural problems, since this step might reveal some hidden problems that are not visible from the outside view. The inspector will also check whether your attic is well insulated. This is of great significance in terms of energy efficiency, as it avoids ice dams. At the end of both exterior and interior inspections, the inspector will compile a detailed report of his findings. This typically involves photos, as well as recommended repairs or maintenance.
How Long Does a Roof Inspection Take?
Several reasons come into play when determining the duration of a roof inspection. The size of the roof is usually the most important factor, as larger roofs take much longer to inspect. For instance, a typical residential roof could be expected to necessitate 45 minutes to an hour; huge or intricate ones could take about two hours, even more.
Examples could include the roofing material and shape. There are other factors that can influence the amount of time a roof inspection will take. Different roofing materials take more time to inspect. Most metal roofing is quicker to inspect than a shingle roof with hundreds of individual parts. Likewise, steep slope, multiple level, and architecturally complex roofs will take longer to inspect.
The condition of the roof is another factor. In cases where the roof is older or has visible problems, the examination is likely to be longer because the inspector has to document and carefully evaluate the extent of damage. Climatic conditions can also be a factor in the length of time that inspection takes. A rain or snowing can render walking on the roof unsafe and thus lead to delays. Sometimes, the inspector might want to schedule the inspection at another time if the weather is really bad. Finally, the amount of time needed for the inspection is also affected by the need for the inspector to access areas like the attic, or other interior spaces, especially in the case of areas being inaccessible or needing extra safety measures.
Why Is the Inspection Time Important?
Knowing how long it will take for a roof inspection to allow for scheduling the remainder of your day with clients, or just how much of your day it is going to take up, really. If you are a homeowner, know that it is probably good practice to be there, be available to ask them questions, and connect with the inspector directly. If you’re a property manager, understanding that timeline will help you coordinate with the tenant so that less interruption is caused.
An inspection of your roof is a small time investment that has enormous benefits in enabling you to catch possible problems in their infancy hence staving off expensive repair sometime in the future. The time frame for this is often between 45 minutes to two hours, depending on a number of factors. Whichever time frame it goes for, an in-depth examination is essential if you want to make sure that your roofing system is safe and secure.
If you need a roof inspection and would like more questions answered about the process, call 1 OAK Roofing Marietta today. A thorough roof inspection will put your mind at ease that your roofing system is in the best possible condition, in order to ensure your peace of mind for years to come.
