Published on March 6, 2023 by Jason Reisman

Does a New Roof Need to Be Inspected?

Need assistance maintaining, repairing, or inspecting your roof? Call Eustis Roofing today at 352-343-4240!

Replacing your entire roof can be quite the financial and logistical undertaking. It’s a home improvement project that often requires a lot of careful scheduling, budgeting, and research as you browse the roofing companies in your area to find the best fit for your needs. When all is said and done, you want to make sure your roof will last and avoid the hassle of pesky repairs.

Does a new roof need to be inspected? Generally, you’re much better safe than sorry, meaning it’s a good idea to seek out reliable roof inspection services in Leesburg following the installation process.

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Why Your New Roof Needs an Inspection

Does a new roof need to be inspected? In an ideal world, you could hire a contractor to replace your roof and complete the process without any hiccups or problems down the road. Unfortunately, not all contractors give their work the necessary attention to detail. Mistakes or improperly placed materials may not present an immediate roof issue, but the consequences could be troublesome as time goes on.

A final inspection is a critical step in any roofing project, but you’ll definitely need to have your new roof inspected in the following circumstances:

Your Roof Isn’t Under Warranty

Most professional contractors provide some kind of warranty, but if you seek roofing services from friends, neighbors, or even certain independent contractors, you’ll likely not receive a warranty for your new roof. This can be tricky if roof issues arise down the line.

If your roof isn’t under warranty, you should contact a professional roofing contractor to perform a thorough inspection. An experienced contractor will be able to identify problems and help you find an appropriate solution before the damage gets worse.

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You Had a Fixture Installed

One of the most common problems associated with the installation of fixtures like skylights and sunroofs is water damage. This is often because the contractors fail to provide adequate support for the fixture, and the unsupported weight can damage the roof’s structure.

You should call a professional roof inspector if you’ve recently added any of the following to your home:

  • Sunroof
  • Skylight
  • Solar panels 
  • Satellite dish

You Notice Signs of Leaks

The trouble with leaks is that they’re often difficult to spot until they’ve already become a significant problem. To check your new roof for potential weak spots, your contractor can climb into the attic on a clear day following the installation and search for any signs of light that isn’t coming from the window or a vent. 

If light is coming through somewhere other than a vent or window, that means rainwater can enter your home, too. It’s critical to notice these spots before a leak occurs to avoid any structural damage. However, if a leak has already formed, you’ll likely notice water dripping, wet spots, or discoloration on the ceiling.

Leaks can form for various reasons, but sometimes they form in new roofs because the contractor failed to install a proper ice and water shield. Ice and water shields have become a common practice in modern roof installations, but some old-fashioned contractors may still be using a “traditional” kind of underlayment.

Without an ice and water shield, your roof faces an increased risk of leaks and water damage. Knowing this, you may want to talk with your contractor before they start working on your roof to determine if their process is right for your home.

What Does a New Roof Inspection Include?

If you’ve been wondering, “Does a new roof need to be inspected?” you may also be curious about what exactly a contractor will look for during the roof inspection process. Following roof replacements, experienced contractors will usually examine things like:

The Interior of the Roof

If the previous contractor rushed or carelessly did their job, the proof will likely be in the roof’s interior. 

The roof’s interior contains various structural components that contractors have to carefully fit into place, such as the underlayment, flashing, and the ice and water shield. If the contractor failed to install these features correctly, a professional roof inspector will be able to identify these weak spots and assess the risk for future deterioration.

The Materials Used

A roof inspector will assess the quality of the materials the contractor used and whether the contractor installed them properly. This part of the inspection usually involves looking for the following:

  • Shingles that are uneven or not properly affixed to the roof 
  • Tears in the roof felt 
  • Improper placement of the flashing

The Structural Integrity of the Roof

While other roof installation mistakes can certainly wreak havoc on your home as time goes on, a problem with the structural health of your roof can have devastating consequences if left unattended. Examining the roof’s structure is one of the most important aspects of a thorough roof inspection to ensure a safe environment for you and your family.

This part of the inspection usually involves looking for any sagging in the roof, checking the chimney for any signs of wear, and ensuring that the contractor installed items like the flashing and soffits properly.

The Quality of the Craftsmanship

The last thing your roof inspector will examine is the quality of the craftsmanship. This includes checking some of the features mentioned above, but it also includes looking for things like exposed nails, cracks in the tiles or shingles, or an uneven appearance. 

After all, you want your new roof to look great and last for a long time, which requires high-level craftsmanship from an expert contractor.

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Eustis Roofing Has You Covered

Does a new roof need to be inspected? Generally, the answer is yes — and when you choose Eustis Roofing for your roof replacement job in Howey in the Hills or surrounding areas, we’ll perform a comprehensive inspection following our work to ensure the best results.

For more information about our services and how long roof inspections take, contact Eustis Roofing today at 352-343-4240!

Jason Reisman

About The Author: Jason Reisman

Jason Reisman, ERC’s General Manager is a problem solver! Jason is hands-on with finding solutions to difficult problems as well as constantly researching, exploring new concepts, discovering new inventive ways and is passionate about being the most experienced, most knowledgeable and most dependable in the roofing trade. He’s hands-on with training and instruction ensuring every job have the up to date and state of the art equipment to perform with precision to be in and out without delays. Jason loves competing with his Dad on the golf course!