A hailstorm came through last week. Or you’re about to buy a house and the roof looks tired. Or there’s just a feeling, after a few hard summers, that you should know what shape your roof is in. You want an honest read, but you’re wary of letting someone up there who’s already planning to sell you a new roof.
A good roof inspection gives you exactly that: a clear, documented picture of your roof’s condition, with photos, and a straight answer about what needs attention now and what doesn’t. It should help you make a decision, not push you into one.
APC Roofing has inspected, repaired and replaced roofs since 2017 across Central Florida, the Daytona Beach area, the greater Kansas City area and Springfield, Missouri. We’re GAF Certified, licensed and insured, and the inspection is free. Call 866-995-0704 to schedule yours.
Why one storm leaves neighbors with different roofs
The National Weather Service calls hail severe once it reaches one inch across. Different roofing materials react to the same storm in different ways. Asphalt shingles can bruise and lose granules. Tile can crack. Metal often dents but keeps the water out.
That’s why a roof inspection after a storm isn’t a formality. The same hail can badly damage one roof, lightly mark the next and leave a third looking beat up but still watertight. You can’t tell which one you have from the driveway.
What a thorough roof inspection covers
A complete inspection looks at your roof from three places, and the third one is the one most often skipped.
From the ground. Each roof slope gets checked for sagging, uneven wear and missing pieces. Gutters get checked for piled-up granules and rust.
On the roof. Where it’s safe to walk, the inspector checks the shingles, tiles or panels, the fasteners and seams, and every spot where something comes through the roof: vent pipes, chimneys and other penetrations. Most leaks start at those openings and where the roof meets a wall, so the flashing there gets extra attention.
Inside the attic. The attic shows what the surface hides: daylight coming through the decking, rust rings on nail tips, damp or matted insulation, water stains running down the rafters. An inspection that skips the attic has only seen half the roof.
What your inspection report should include
You should walk away with photos tied to specific spots on your roof. Each finding should be named and sorted into one of two groups: “this is a problem now” and “keep an eye on this.” Those two get blurred when a report is written to justify a sale.
A good report also notes what’s in good shape. That gives you a baseline for the whole roof. Keep it. Two inspections a few years apart show which way your roof is heading far better than either one alone.
It’s also fair to ask who’s doing the looking. On many residential inspections, the person on your roof is a roofing consultant who would also handle your project if you go ahead. That’s normal, and it’s one more reason to get the findings in writing with photos instead of a quick verbal summary in the driveway.
When a roof inspection is worth getting
Before you buy or sell a home. The roof is one of the biggest single items in any home sale, and a buyer’s inspector will look at it either way.
After a major storm. Do it even if nothing looks wrong from the yard. Bruised shingles and lifted seams often go unnoticed until a ceiling stain shows up months later. Our storm damage page covers what wind and hail do to different roofs.
Before storm season. In Central Florida and the Daytona Beach area, that means before hurricane season. In the Kansas City area and around Springfield, it means before the spring hail and thunderstorm season.
When your roof is getting older. If it’s been a while and you’re not sure where it stands, an inspection tells you how much time you have to plan.
How an inspection helps with insurance
Many insurance disagreements come down to when the damage happened. A dated inspection with photos answers that far better than anyone’s memory.
If you decide to file a claim, you file it yourself and pay your own deductible. APC documents the damage with photos, provides an estimate and works with your adjuster. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive or cover your deductible. And sometimes an inspection shows there’s nothing worth claiming, which is useful to know too.
If the inspection does turn up a problem, our roof repair page explains how to decide between a repair and a replacement.
How it works with APC Roofing
- Book your free inspection. Call 866-995-0704 or request a free online estimate.
- Get a clear, honest assessment and estimate. We check your roof from the ground, on the roof and in the attic, then walk you through the photos. If repairs or a replacement are needed, you’ll get a written estimate.
- Get the roof done and the site cleaned up. If you decide to move forward, the crew does the work and leaves your property clean.
Roof inspection questions
How long does a roof inspection take?
It varies with the size and type of roof and whether the attic is easy to reach. Ask when you book so you can plan around it.
Is a free roof inspection really free?
Yes. APC’s inspections and estimates are free, and there’s no obligation to go ahead with any work.
Should I get a roof inspection after hail if I don’t see damage?
Yes. Hail damage is often hard to spot from the ground and may not leak right away. An inspection with photos also gives you a dated record if you decide to file a claim.
Do you do roof inspections in my area?
APC serves Central Florida, the Daytona Beach area, the greater Kansas City area and Springfield, Missouri. See roof inspection in Orlando or roof inspection in the Kansas City area for local details.
Know where your roof stands
Small problems on a roof tend to stay quiet until they show up on a ceiling. Finding them early keeps the repair small and keeps the decision in your hands.
Get the inspection, look at the photos and decide with real information. Whether it’s good news or a to-do list, you’ll know exactly where you stand. Call 866-995-0704 to book your free inspection, or start your estimate online.
