How often should you have a roof inspection, and which events call for one?
Short answer. Beyond a routine yearly check, get a roof inspection after hail or strong wind, before buying or selling a home, when your insurer asks about the roof, at the first sign of a leak, before installing solar, and before a builder or roofer warranty expires. These moments are when information is most valuable.
The trigger events
- Hail. Stones around an inch or larger can bruise shingles without obvious signs from the ground. Look at your area's history at North Georgia Hail Map.
- High wind. Creased or lifted shingles can lose their seal and fail in the next storm.
- A tree or large limb hitting the roof.
- Buying a home. Add a roofer's inspection when the roof is over about 10 years old or the home inspector flags anything.
- Selling a home. Know the roof's condition before a buyer's inspector does.
- An insurance letter. Underwriting inspections or renewal questions about roof age deserve a professional assessment you can share.
- A ceiling stain or drip. Early leak tracing prevents decking and drywall damage.
- Before solar. Panels should go on a roof with plenty of life left. See replace your roof before solar.
- Before a warranty ends. A builder's first year warranty or a contractor's workmanship term.
- Before major remodeling that ties into the roof, such as an addition or dormer.
Why timing matters
Insurance policies have time limits for reporting storm damage, and warranties have notice requirements. An inspection soon after the event preserves your options. For what the visit covers, read what to expect from a roof inspection.