The Essential Roof Inspection Report Template

The roof is one of the building’s most essential structures, yet it can often get overlooked and ignored. Regular roof maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of your roof and can help you catch small issues before they turn into big problems. Whether you’re a contractor hired to inspect a roof, a property manager, or a homeowner, here is a comprehensive roof inspection report template to help ensure all of your bases are covered.

What is a Roof Inspection Report?

A roof inspection report is a document that provides the guidelines you need to check over every aspect of a roof to ensure it is in peak condition. Since every roof is different, every inspection report will be a little bit different. But generally, you can expect to address these five key areas: Shingles, Gutters & Drainage, Flashing & Caulking, Chimneys & Vents, Attic. Let’s take a closer look at each:

Shingles

The condition of your shingles can tell you a lot about the condition of the roof as a whole. Your shingles are designed to protect your roof from the elements, while also adding an aesthetically pleasing visual element to your home. The granules on the shingles are designed to deflect heat from the roof, keeping the temperatures inside your house down and reducing energy costs.

Things to note on your roof inspection report regarding shingles include:

• Broken or missing shingles
• Shingles that are cupping on one side
• Shingles that are flapping in the breeze
• Shingles that are cracked or warped

Shingles that are not in place leave the interior materials of your roof exposed to the elements. When shingles are cracked, broken, or missing, your roof is at risk for water damage. Missing shingles also makes it easier for pests to access your roof and attic space. One or two broken or missing shingles can be easy to replace. However, if you notice there is a big section of your roof where the shingles are broken, cracked, or warped, it could be a sign that there is a more significant underlying issue.

Gutters & Drainage

The system of gutters on your roof is responsible for draining water off of your roof. When water cannot drain correctly, it can result in pools of stagnant water. This can be a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and it can also weaken roofing materials.

Things to look for regarding the gutters and drainage systems include:

• Dirt or debris in the gutters
• Bent or twisted gutters
• Gutters not securely fastened to the side of the building
• Gutters showing evidence of rust and leaks
• The downspout is not diverting water away from the foundation

If you notice any of these issues, you must address them right away. A dysfunctional gutter system can cause excess water to run off of the roof and quickly saturate the soil around the building. This can weaken the foundation and lead to other issues inside, such as mold growth and wood rot.

Flashing & Caulking

You will find flashing on any surface where the roof meets a vertical surface like a sidewall or a chimney. Flashing is made out of galvanized steel, and its job is to redirect water away from these vulnerable spots on the roof. You usually find flashing around vents, chimneys, and skylights. A careful inspection of the flashing of your roof requires you to get up on the roof, so if this is not your area of expertise, it is recommended to hire a professional roofing contractor to do this part of the inspection for you.

Things to look for regarding the flashing and caulking of your roof include:

• Missing flashing in areas where the roof edge meets a sidewall
• Improperly flashed chimneys
• Sloppy or improper installation of the flashing
• Small holes in the roof flashing
• Signs of rust on flashing materials

Chimneys & Vents

Because roof vents and chimneys penetrate the roof, they are at high risk for water leaks. Shingles have to fit around these structures perfectly. If they don’t, it increases the chance that water will seep through. The chimney’s job is to take toxic gases produced by a fire up and out of the home, but regardless of how often you use your fireplace, the chimney should be part of a thorough roof inspection.

Things to look for regarding the chimney and roof vents include:

• The use of excess roofing tar. This could be a sign that the chimney has leaked in the past, and the tar was used as a quick fix.
• Not enough flashing around vents and the chimney structure
• Shingles were not cut correctly to form a waterway around the chimney
• Flashing around the chimney overlaps
• Vents are missing storm collars and/or storm caps

Attic

A proper roof inspection should happen in two parts: an exterior inspection and an interior inspection. You can tell a lot about a roof just by looking in the attic. Not only can you check for water leaks in the attic, but you can also check the structural ventilation of the building up there too. If air is not circulating in and out of the building properly, it could lead to higher internal temperatures and higher utility bills.

Things to look for during your roof inspection regarding the attic include:

• Dark spots on the wood beams. This is a sign that the wood is wet
• Condensation and mold on the plywood and/or rafters.
• Evidence of a rodent infestation
• Leaking ductwork
• Faulty or inadequate insulation

Try Device Magic for Free

You can’t afford to let your roof go unchecked. A thorough roof inspection can preserve the structural integrity of your home or commercial building for years to come. With Device Magic Mobile Forms, you can create custom roof inspection reports that incorporate geo-mapping, photo features, free text spaces, and give you full control over who sees and modifies the document. You can even access your forms offline and integrate them into your existing business platforms.

Start your free Device Magic account today and streamline the roof inspection process.