Roof inspections are important to have done periodically for numerous reasons. One reason is to prevent leaks before they become out of control. Another is to make sure your roof is in good standing order after a storm or severe weather, otherwise you might be due for a replacement thanks to your insurance company. There are a few different factors to consider while inspecting a roof, and a few different things to look at.
One important time to have a roof inspection done on your home is after a severe storm has hit. Often times heavy rain, hail, and high powered winds will damage numerous shingles on your roof. Another thing that can happen without you noticing is over time continual rain can wear away the singles that are on your roof. During a full roof inspection you will have your shingles inspected, check for any areas that have the potential to leak, and check the overall condition of your roof.
So how often should people really have their roof inspected? A moderate number would be around twice a year. This should be more than enough to take care of your roof. The only time you should break your regularly schedule inspection times is due to an emergency or potential damage that has been caused by a natural disaster.
The main thing a roof inspection can lead to is repair. If there is only light damage and just a few shingles here and there that are no longer doing their job they can be replaced easily. If you have a severely damaged roof that will take extensive amounts of repair your best option might be to have your entire roof completely replaced. This will involve repairing any wood, wrapping the roof again, and putting on fresh shingles to give you that full protection from the elements while at home.
If the damage has been done to your roof by a storm of any sort you can file a claim through your insurance company to have your roof repaired or replaced. Your roofing contractor can actually make your claim for you and help you through the process by negotiating with your insurance company. This saves you the trouble of having to call your insurance company and it will only cost you your deductible in the end. It is very common that people are unaware that their roof has damage on it so calling in for an inspection is a smart thing to do.