Roof Archives

Commercial Roof Inspection

Commercial roof inspections differ greatly from residential roof inspections depending on the type of building construction and different types of materials used. Not only do we offer Windermere Home Inspections we also offer these roof inspections.

Many commercial roofs are flat and therefore use materials that are specifically designed for flat roofs. Most residential roofs are usually shingle or tile with a few being a buildup roof of tar and gravel.

Getting your commercial roof inspected can be done by either a roofing contractor or a licensed home inspector but there may be a difference in the amount of knowledge and experience between a contracting inspector and a home inspector.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using either of these commercial roof inspectors.

Pros and Cons of Hiring a Commercial Roofing Contractor

Pros:

Has the knowledge and education of the different kinds of roofs and materials used?
Has the knowledge of the different flaws in each roofing type.
Can offer a quote for repairs or replacement.

Cons:

Works for a company that makes its money off of roof replacements and is more likely to lead toward replacement than repair.
Maybe an employee of a roofing contractor and not a licensed roofer with certifications or license
May not have the knowledge and experience themselves
Probably makes salary plus commission which leads one toward describing things more harshly to direct people toward roof replacement.

This is an excerpt from Angie’s list about roofers involved in scams in 11 states and is awaiting trial.

“Problems with roofers plague consumers across the country. Over the years, Angie’s List has written a number of articles about crooked roofing contractors and seen the same pattern of fraud, poor workmanship, and storm chasing behavior that leaves homeowners high and dry, with unfinished roofs and water-damaged homes.”
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/roofers-accused-scams-11-states-await-trial-florida.htm

Pros and Cons of using a Certified Home Inspector

Pros:

Has no financial interest in the roof needing repair or replacement. (unless getting a kickback from recommending a roofing company)
Is required to be personally licensed, certified, and insured in the state and cannot operate under someone else’s license
May have as much or more knowledge and experience about commercial roofs than a roofing company inspector

Cons:

May not have any roofing experience of commercial roofs
May have only limited knowledge of commercial roofs
May have limited or no knowledge of roofing materials or typical defects of specific roof types
May only go as far as the minimum standard of requirements of their certification. (FYI: Home inspector certifications do not require the inspector to get on a roof)

As you can see, there are issues with finding the right certified roofing inspector to inspect your roof.

Here at All American Property Inspections, we give you the best option and peace of mind to get your roof inspected.

We have the knowledge and experience of commercial roofing with our extensive experience in constructing and repairing commercial roofs. I not only carry certifications for residential but am a certified commercial property inspector as well. I am nationally certified on how to perform roof inspections as well as certified on wind and hail property damage. I have also been licensed under the Construction Estimating Institute for How Hurricanes damage Homes. My knowledge, experience, and professionalism were recognized by Home Advisor and they chose All American property Inspections as the best business 2018 Award.

Inspection Certifications and Classes Completed

What does a Commercial Roof Inspection Cover?

Whether your roof is shingle, tile, built up (tar and gravel), asphalt, modified bitumen, membrane, rubber TPO and EDPM, liquid polymer, or metal roofing, we have the experience and education to inspect your roof right.

A commercial roof inspection should encompass, but not be limited to;

Supporting structures;
Roof covering condition;
Flashing condition;
Roof edging/fascia;
Roof penetrations;
Roof drains;
Evidence of standing water or “ponding”
Glazing’s for skylights
Roof and attic ventilation

Here is an example of a commercial roof inspection report done by All American property Inspections:

Your detailed report will be easy to understand to give you a thorough inspection report that is detailed and easy to understand using photographs, sketches, and comprehensive explanations.

Call 407-902-7510 TODAY to schedule your Insurance Inspection!

DIY Guide to Roof Maintenance

by Bill Ostoyic | Roof

Maintaining your roof as a homeowner is one of your biggest responsibilities. By not maintaining the health of your roof, you are putting your family’s well being at stake. A good way to ensure the long term health of your roof is to make sure that it gets inspected regularly.

DIY Guide to Roof Maintence There is a laundry list of issues that could arise should you neglect the health of your roof. For instance, mold, decay, and a wet, weakened roof are all symptoms of a failing roof that could have adverse effects on the homeowner. These same issues can also arise for commercial roofs as well. It gets even worse if these problems go undetected for an extended period of time. Concerned is relatively higher for those that live in areas that are impacted from in climate weather. If storms impact your home, your roof is more susceptible to failure.

There are simple ways to tell if your roof needs attention by making simple observations yourself. For instance, if you have a roof surrounded by trees, you should observe for mold, fungus or algae that may be arising on the surface of the roof. If you can visibly see streaks on the roof, it’s an indicator that you may have a buildup of a dangerous mold or algae. These issues are particularly common during high periods of humidity, during the spring or summer.

If the roof is in the shade for a particularly significant portion of the time, it’s even more likely to be at risk. The worst-case scenario for letting this sort of issue go unchecked is having your roofing material get eaten away by a fungus or mold, which would cause deterioration which would, in turn, lead to leaking within your home.

Removing Tree Debris from your Roof can help to extend the life of it.

As you could likely assume, the quickest and most effective way to rectify this is to trim back trees that are nearby to improve the air circulation.

Another effective way to eradicate the opportunity for mold and fungus to build up is to install zinc strips along the edge of the roof. This will form zinc oxide during rain which will carry a protective coat across the roof that prevents the growth of dangerous mold.

A primary concern should be ensuring that none of the shingles on the roof tear off. If you have weak shingles on the roof, it should be a top priority to repair the damage before wind gusts from a storm get rid of the shingles all together.

Replacing shingles from damaged roofs can be a do-it-yourself project that saves the long term health of your roof. The first step is loosening the first row of shingles that aren’t damaged. Then, you’ll need to pull away from the shingles that are ineffective so that they are separated. Finally, rock the broken shingle until it’s off the roof completely, then replace it with a brand-new shingle.

Roofing is an area of home inspections that can make the difference between a sale or not.

How to Know if You Need a Roof Replacement

by Bill Ostoyic | Roof

Often enough, a roof can reach the end of its lifespan without any noticeable failure other than some wear and tear. Watching for the warning signs of a failing roof can save lots of grief down the road. Delaying the replacement of an old roof could protect yourself from catastrophe. Here are the warning signs you should be on the lookout for when deciding whether or not it’s time for you to replace your roof.

Curling or Missing Shingles:
Curling Shingles are one of the signs of both an aging roof and excessive exposure to the elements. The fact that your roof is exposed to elements like rain, snow and the sun means that wear and tear of your shingles is inevitable. Broken and missing shingles substantially weaken your roof’s ability to shed water and will in turn become an entry point for water. If you start to experience leakage in your home during rain and snowstorms, that may be a sign that you need to replace your roof sooner rather than later.
Moss and Algae Buildup is Becoming Visible on Your Roof
If there are dark streaks starting to appear on your roof, there may be a buildup of airborne algae on your roof. Though it makes the roof look older and more worn down, it can be removed with a cleaning solution of bleach and water. If you’re feeling up to climbing on top of your roof, you can clean the buildup of algae easily to bring the color of your roof back to normal. Moss on the other hand can cause substantial damage to your roof that can become irreversible. Moss buildup can certainly be a reason to replace your roof if you feel as though that would be more reasonable than having a professional clean the moss off of your roof for you.
Shingle Granules in Your Gutters
If you’re constantly finding that your gutters are loaded with shingle granules, it may be a sign that your roof is towards the end of its life cycle. If you find a darker color on random parts of your roof, that is a clear sign that your granules are withering away. Typically, you’ll notice that your granules are starting to go missing once the roof becomes older. Granules are what is keeping your roof weather proofed, and without them your shingles will be exposed when it comes to the natural forces of the elements.
Your Roof is Noticeably Worn
If your roof hasn’t been replaced in the last 20 years or so, it’s probably safe to assume that you should be considering a roof replacement. Another good way to tell when it’s time for a roof replacement is when your neighbors are getting their roofs replaced. Homes built around the same time experience similar wear and tear and age along the same timeline. Once your roof starts looking worn down in comparison to the homes around it, it is definitely time to shop for a roof replacement.

Maintaining Your Roof by Removing Tree Debris

by Bill Ostoyic | Roof

This is Bill with All American Property Inspections and during the windy season, we get a lot of debris that falls down off the trees.

This is right after Hurricane Irma, and as you look around, you can see where there has been a lot of debris from the local trees and the oaks.

Why is it important that you remove the debris? What happens is after a while it begins to decay and then when the wind comes it blows grass seed on top of your roof. Over time that seed turns into grass and now you’ve got a lawn growing on your roof.

If this happens, do not under any circumstance try to pressure wash the grass off your roof. All you’ll do is take the granules with it and damage your shingles. You’ll want to get a professional on your roof to get the debris off of it.

Once it’s gone, then you’ll want to maintain the roof and keep inspecting it on a regular basis.

Trim back branches from your roof to extend the life of it

by Bill Ostoyic | Roof

By doing this one simple repair it can extend the life of your roof considerably!

When doing roof inspections I run across a lot of damage that could have been avoided. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners don’t realize they have the ability to extend the life of their roof by doing simple roof maintenance.

One of the most common things I see are branches that are not cut back away from the roof. Take a look at the video below to see what I’m referring to.

As you can see, the branches have damaged the shingles by rubbing across the granules on the roof and ultimately exposing nail heads that begin to rust. When these nail heads rust and shrink, rainwater will get in and can cause a lot of damage inside the attic.

Not to mention that everytime the tree loses its leaves they fall into your gutter system which can cause a leaky roof or water damage to the interior or exterior of your home.

By simply trimming back the branches of any tree that is close to your roof you will definitely be able to extend the life of your roof.

If you think your roof may have some damage give me a call at 407-902-7510 or schedule a roof inspection today!

Roof Inspections: What to Look for

by Bill Ostoyic | Roof

Roof inspection is an important part of a typical home inspection. Prior to purchasing a house, it is highly recommended to have an inspection conducted to check the health of the structure and its surroundings.

Roof Inspection

Inspecting the roof of a home that you may purchase can save you time and money down the road. By identifying existing problems early, you can often include repair costs that come up during a roof inspection as part of the deal when purchasing a home. Some extreme cases require an entire roof replacement, in which case the buyer may be inclined to walk away from the offer instead of having to potentially pay for repairs.

Roof inspections are not only helpful when buying a home; it is recommended that they become a routine part of your home’s maintenance. As roofing projects are often very expensive, the cost of a roof inspection regularly can far outweigh potential roof repairs should existing damage be left untreated.

Just one storm can cause extensive damage to your roof that may go unnoticed without an inspection. With a licensed and trained roof inspector, you can feel confident that you know about any problems with your roof and understand the work needed to correct it.

During your roof inspection, be prepared with any questions you have for the inspector. If you don’t understand anything that they are reporting back to you, ask for clarification before moving on. While you will receive a written copy of the report, it can be helpful to discuss some of the more complicated issues face to face.

Roof inspections should be a top priority when planning for home maintenance. Be sure to only hire a licensed roof inspection company, and you’ll be on your way to protecting your home in no time. Call AAPI to ensure quality care!