Roof Inspection in Rahway, NJ

Good reasons to get the roof looked at

• You're buying a house. Knowing whether the roof has ten good years or two can change your offer.
• You're selling. Fixing problems before a buyer's inspector finds them keeps negotiations simpler.
• A big storm just passed. Wind damage often isn't visible from the ground.
• The roof is getting old. At 15 years and up, it's worth knowing what's ahead.
• You're adding solar. Panels last a long time - the roof under them should too.

What gets checked

Up top: shingle condition and granule loss, missing or lifted shingles, flashing at the chimney, walls, valleys and vents, pipe boots, ridge caps, gutters and drip edge, and any flat sections.

In the attic: stains or soft spots on the underside of the roof, daylight showing through, insulation, ventilation at the eaves and ridge, and whether bath fans actually vent outside.

Ask for it in writing

Photos and a short written summary are worth asking for: overall condition, specific problems, roughly how much life is left and what each repair involves.

A quick look you can do yourself

• From across the street, scan for missing, curling or dark patchy shingles - binoculars help
• Look at what comes out of the downspouts: lots of grit means the shingles are shedding granules
• After heavy rain, check top-floor ceilings and closets
• On a sunny day, look for pinpoints of light in the attic