Phoenix Roof Inspection: Take Nothing for Granted

Roof inspections are critical to the well-being and lifespan of your roofing. The National Roofing Contractor's Association recommends that you get your roof inspected twice a year. This may sound like a lot, but the Valley of the Sun presents unique challenges to residential roofs that mandate more maintenance and care than a homeowner may suppose. Like a doctor telling you to watch your diet, the majority of homeowners don't heed the advice as they should. Indeed, few homeowners feel like expending the cash to pay for a professional to come out to their homes twice a year. However, by inspecting your roof once a year on your own and having a professional come out one additional time, you can identify a number of problems and reduce and/or prevent costly home repairs.

Roof Inspection in Phoenix, AZ
So, exactly what challenges does Phoenix present? The most obvious one is the sun and heat. Ultraviolet rays have a tendency to deteriorate roofing materials over time. The South and West-facing sides of your roof will feel this stress the most, so pay extra attention to this area of your roof. Any cracks, gaps, or loose shingles can become a huge problem during the first summer storm.

Moreover, the monsoon season and its related thunderstorms and wind can cause extensive roof damage. Strong winds are self-explanatory, but just because your roof has seemingly come through okay doesn't mean it hasn't experienced stressors that could bring it to the breaking point. The seasonal winds of the Mexican monsoon bring cold fronts that may feel refreshing, but can also cause rapid changes in temperature. This rapid drop of temperature frequently results in thermal shock as your roof expands and contracts with the temperature. For these reasons and the rain, condensation, debris, flashing deterioration common to roofs in nearly every location, roof inspection is necessary to protect your roof.

Phoenix Roof Inspection Contractors
If you can inspect your own roof once, you might wonder why you should bother calling in the professionals at all. It may sound like a bunch of hot air, but there is a big difference. So long as your roof is designed to support the weight, roof inspection contractors will get on your roof and go through every last shingle. They know exactly what to look for and can often identify problems that are not apparent to the casual observer. If you have a slate roof or other brittle roofing material, they'll use high-powered binoculars. Homeowners can and should use binoculars during their own inspection, but again it won't be the same. Not only will the professionals see more, they'll understand what they're seeing and why they're seeing it.

Roof and Home Inspections in Phoenix, AZ
Besides the annual or biannual roof maintenance schedule, roof and home inspections are common when a house is being bought or sold. This makes all the sense in the world, and you should never buy a home without first having it inspected. Even if you're selling a home, having it inspected can help you actualize your asking price and create a smoother closing process. Roof and home inspections cost, on average, $300, but can be as little as $100 or more than $500, generally depending on scheduling and experience. You may pay a little more, for example, for a contractor who has been around for decades and "seen it all." Some roofing companies even offer promotional free inspections in an attempt to drum up business. This isn't a bad way to go, as long as you thoroughly check out the company before giving them access to your roof.

Here's advice from one Phoenix homeowner who spent $400 on a general home inspection: "Be sure to walk through the home yourself and write down any areas of concern/question prior to the inspection. After the inspection, review the results and be sure that all of your agenda has been addressed to your liking. If not, be sure to ask."