As a home inspector I will always get questions regarding the roof. I get questions on the age of the roof, how long it should last, and even which kind of shingles are on the rooftop. There are many different many varieties of roof coverings which range between regular three tab shingles, tile and also a wide selection of metal materials.
Since there are so many different varieties of roofs there are specific standards which need to be followed. These guidelines set the standards for your home inspector to comply with whenever conducting the home inspection and how to report all the findings. According to which state you live in these standards could vary.
This is a list of things about your roof that you should expect from your home inspector.
Your home inspector is going to inspect and describe your roofing material; this means your home inspection report should identify the roofing material. The most common roof surface is asphalt shingles. Based upon where you live tile roofs and metal covered roofs are very popular.
Your home inspection report will ideally provide information on the water flow and drainage systems; this can be the gutters, downspouts and gutter drain extensions. How the water is being carried away from your home is very important and should be inspected and reported on.
The roof flashing is actually something else that needs to be checked and included within the home inspection report. The roof flashing happens to be something else that you should inspect and therefore outlined inside the home inspection report. The flashing is hard to see but the inspector should note whether it is inspected or if it is not visible.
Another important thing that should be listed in the home inspection report is the method that the roof was inspected. For the most part home inspectors are certain to get on the roof when it is safe. However the inspector is not really required to get on a roof structure when it is unsafe or if the roof can become damaged.
The home inspector should report on all the discoveries relating to the rooftop, chimney appearance, plumbing related vents or any other penetration through the roof surface which include skylights.
There are variety of factors that the home inspector is not really required to report on; antennae, inside the chimney flue or any other equipment for instance TV dishes except when they may be affecting the roof surface.
When you are getting your home inspected all of these basic standards should really be followed by the home inspector and your report should probably contain this particular information.
