Getting a professional roof inspection is recommended if you are buying or selling a house. An inspection is often required before an insurance company will sign you up for coverage. If you have put your house up for sale, being able to show proof of a roof inspection that certifies your roof is in good shape and will up your chances to make a sale. If you are a potential buyer, it's important for you to verify that the roof of the house you are interested in is not in need of repair. You can negotiate with the seller as to who will pay for the roof inspection. If the cost fits into your budget, maybe you might opt to cover the price yourself. On the other hand, if the seller agrees to pay for the inspection, be aware that the seller will work the inspection cost into the price of the house.
The purpose of a roof inspection is to locate damage before it gets out of hand. The roof inspector will also give an estimated time on how much life the roof has left. The inspector walks on the rooftop and searches for areas that show leaks or rot. Binoculars might be used to inspect parts of the roof that are inaccessible. Every single part of the roof is inspected, including the shingles or tile. You can ask the inspector to point out problems to you.
Common roofing problems are:
Curled or bent shingles
Shingle particles in gutters
Sagging between rafters and near ridges
Rusty metal between the house and the roof
Roofing material that looks loose, broken or missing
Corroded or missing flashing
Improper ventilation
Clogged drains
Depression areas by the vent pipe
Even if you are not selling your house, you might think about getting a Professional roof inspection annually or at the very least every couple of years. If it is too costly to have a professional inspection, then you might be able to check the bulk of the roof from the street by using binoculars. If you are a do-it-yourself kind of person, climbing on top of the roof could be an option BUT make sure you take precautions to avoid falls, etc.!