A professional roof inspection includes much more than looking for a few missing shingles. A roofer should evaluate the condition of the shingles, flashing, valleys, roof penetrations, visible decking, ventilation, gutters and drainage, and signs of leaks or storm damage to get a better picture of how the entire roofing system is performing.
At Barringer Brothers Roofing, we’ve served homeowners throughout Belleville and the Metro East since 2004, and roof inspections are one of our core services. Our inspections are designed to answer a simple question: What is actually going on with your roof, and does anything need to be done about it?
Sometimes the answer is a repair. Sometimes replacement makes more sense. And sometimes the roof doesn’t need any work at all.
Here’s what homeowners can expect a roof inspection to actually include.
What Is a Professional Roof Inspection?
A roof inspection is an evaluation of the condition of your roofing system.
It isn’t the same thing as standing in the driveway and seeing whether the shingles look okay. Many important areas of a roof are difficult—or impossible—to properly evaluate from the ground.
A roofer is looking for damage, deterioration, potential sources of water intrusion, storm-related issues, and other conditions that could affect how the roof performs.
At Barringer Brothers Roofing, that means evaluating multiple components of the roofing system rather than treating the shingles as the entire roof.
1. Shingle Condition
The shingles are one of the first places a roofer will look.
An inspection may check for things such as:
- Missing shingles
- Cracked or broken shingles
- Curling or deterioration
- Loose or displaced shingles
- Hail impact marks
- Wind-related damage
- Other unusual wear or damage
The roofer is also looking at the overall condition of the roof, not simply trying to find one imperfect shingle.
That’s important because an isolated problem and widespread deterioration can lead to very different recommendations.
A roof with one repairable area doesn’t necessarily need replacement.
2. Flashing
Flashing helps protect some of the areas of a roof that are especially vulnerable to water intrusion.
You’ll commonly find flashing around areas such as chimneys, vents, skylights, walls, and other roof transitions.
During an inspection, a roofer should look at these areas for visible deterioration, displacement, damage, or other conditions that could potentially allow water into the roofing system.
This is also why finding the source of a roof leak isn’t always as simple as looking directly above a water stain inside the house.
Water can enter around one area of the roof and travel before becoming visible inside.
Barringer Brothers specifically includes flashing around chimneys, vents, skylights, and wall transitions in its roof inspections.
3. Roof Valleys
A roof valley is the area where two roof slopes meet.
Because water is directed toward these areas as it drains from the roof, valleys deserve particular attention during an inspection.
A roofer may look for damaged roofing materials, unusual wear, debris accumulation, installation concerns, or other conditions that could interfere with proper water drainage.
Homes with more complicated roof designs may have several valleys and transitions to evaluate.
4. Roof Vents and Other Penetrations
Every opening through a roof creates an area that has to be properly protected from water.
Depending on the home, roof penetrations may include plumbing vents, exhaust vents, attic vents, chimneys, skylights, and other components.
During an inspection, a roofer can evaluate the roofing and flashing around these areas.
If you’ve called because of a suspected leak, penetrations near the affected area may receive particular attention as the roofer works to identify where water could be entering.
5. Visible Roof Decking
Your shingles aren’t installed directly onto the framing of your house.
Underneath the roofing materials is roof decking, sometimes called roof sheathing. It creates the solid surface supporting the roofing system.
The catch is that most decking is concealed underneath the roof.
That means a normal inspection can’t necessarily tell you the condition of every square foot of decking without removing roofing materials.
A roofer can evaluate decking where it is visible and look for other signs that could indicate a potential problem. Barringer Brothers includes visible decking condition as part of its inspections.
This distinction matters if you’re planning a roof replacement. Sometimes deteriorated decking isn’t discovered until the existing roofing materials are removed.
6. Signs of Leaks or Water Intrusion
If you’ve noticed a ceiling stain, dripping water, moisture in the attic, or another possible sign of a leak, tell your roofer before the inspection begins.
That information can help guide the evaluation.
The roofer may look for conditions on the exterior that could explain how water is getting into the home.
And remember: the spot where you see water inside isn’t necessarily directly below the place where the roof is leaking.
Water can move along roofing components or framing before it becomes visible.
7. Roof Ventilation
Ventilation isn’t as visually obvious as missing shingles, but it’s another part of the roofing system worth evaluating.
An attic ventilation system is designed to allow air to move through the attic using intake and exhaust ventilation.
A roofer may evaluate the type and placement of roof ventilation and look for visible issues that could affect airflow.
Barringer Brothers includes roof ventilation and attic airflow among the areas evaluated during its roof inspections.
8. Gutters and Roof Drainage
Your gutters aren’t technically your roof, but they’re closely connected to how water moves away from it.
During a roof inspection, it can be useful to look at whether water appears to be draining properly from the roofing system.
Barringer Brothers includes gutters and drainage as part of its inspection process.
A drainage problem doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong with the shingles themselves, which is another reason it’s helpful to look at the exterior as a system rather than focusing on one component.
9. Wind and Hail Damage
After severe weather, homeowners often call for an inspection because they don’t know whether their roof was damaged.
That’s completely reasonable.
Some storm damage can be obvious—a missing shingle in the yard, for example—while other potential damage can be much harder to recognize from the ground.
A roofer can look for signs consistent with wind or hail damage and document what is found.
Barringer Brothers provides storm-related roof inspections throughout the Metro East and can document visible damage when insurance is involved.
Does a Roof Inspection Include the Attic?
That can depend on the contractor, the home, and the reason for the inspection.
An exterior roof evaluation provides a lot of useful information, but sometimes interior or attic conditions can provide additional clues—particularly when a homeowner is dealing with suspected water intrusion or ventilation concerns.
If you’re specifically concerned about something in your attic, mention it when scheduling the inspection so you understand what will be evaluated.
Can a Roof Inspection Find Every Hidden Problem?
No inspection can reveal every concealed condition without taking the roofing system apart.
That’s an important limitation to understand.
Roof decking is a good example. Most of it is hidden underneath underlayment and shingles. A roofer can evaluate visible areas and look for signs that suggest a problem, but concealed deterioration may not become apparent until a roof is torn off.
An inspection should give you a professional evaluation based on what can reasonably be observed—not pretend that someone can see through the shingles.
Does a Roof Inspection Mean I’m Going to Be Told I Need a New Roof?
No.
An inspection and a roof replacement are two different things.
At Barringer Brothers Roofing, the purpose of an inspection is to determine what’s actually happening with the roof. The company’s stated approach is to explain what’s in good condition, what needs attention, and what can reasonably wait. If repairs or replacement are appropriate, homeowners can then receive information about those options.
A localized problem may need a repair.
A roof with widespread deterioration may be a better candidate for replacement.
And a roof that’s still in good condition may not need either.
When Should You Have Your Roof Inspected?
You don’t necessarily need to schedule a professional inspection simply because another year has passed.
There are, however, several situations where having someone look at the roof can be useful.
A recent hail or windstorm is one. A suspected leak is another. You may also want an inspection if you’ve noticed visible changes to the roof, don’t know the condition of an older roofing system, or are involved in a real estate transaction.
Barringer Brothers recommends inspections when there is a legitimate reason to evaluate the roof, such as storm damage, a suspected leak, visible issues, an aging roof, or a home purchase or sale.
What Happens After the Roof Inspection?
You should come away from the inspection with a clearer understanding of your roof than you had beforehand.
At Barringer Brothers Roofing, homeowners receive a plain-language explanation of what was found and what the company recommends doing next. If repair or replacement is needed, a no-obligation estimate can be provided.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
You shouldn’t need to become a roofing expert—you should simply understand what’s happening with your own home.
How Long Does a Roof Inspection Take?
There isn’t one universal inspection time because roofs vary considerably.
A small, simple roof and a large home with multiple slopes, valleys, penetrations, and other features don’t present the same inspection.
The reason for the inspection can also matter. Looking into one suspected leak may be different from documenting multiple areas after a storm.
The important thing isn’t whether the inspection takes a particular number of minutes. It’s whether the relevant parts of the roofing system are actually being evaluated.
Can I Inspect My Own Roof?
There are things homeowners can safely notice from the ground.
You might spot a missing shingle, debris, a visibly displaced section, a change after a storm, or something else that simply doesn’t look right.
But you don’t need to climb onto the roof yourself.
Roof surfaces can be steep, slippery, and dangerous, and many roofing problems aren’t obvious to an untrained eye anyway.
If something has you concerned, a professional inspection is a safer way to get a closer look.
Frequently Asked Questions
A professional roofer may evaluate shingles, flashing, valleys, roof penetrations, visible decking, ventilation, drainage, gutters, signs of leaks, and evidence of wind or hail damage. The exact inspection can vary depending on the roof and why it’s being inspected.
Yes. If you suspect a leak, tell the roofing contractor what you’ve noticed and where you’ve noticed it. The roofer can look for visible conditions that may be allowing water into the roofing system.
An inspection can help determine whether the roof appears to need no immediate work, localized repairs, or more extensive replacement. The decision should be based on the actual condition of the roofing system rather than age alone.
Barringer Brothers provides roof inspections throughout the Metro East, including Belleville, O’Fallon, Swansea, Collinsville, Waterloo, Edwardsville, Mascoutah, Freeburg, Smithton, and surrounding communities.
Need a Roof Inspection in the Metro East?
If something has you wondering what’s going on with your roof, you don’t have to diagnose it yourself.
Barringer Brothers Roofing has served homeowners throughout Belleville and the Metro East since 2004. The company provides roof inspections, roof repairs, roof replacements, storm damage services, new construction roofing, siding, and gutters, and currently has more than 200 five-star reviews.
For more information about your roof or to schedule an inspection, call Barringer Brothers Roofing at (618)703-3036 or fill out our online contact form.
