ServicesRoof Inspections
Roof Inspections in Bromley That Look Past the Shingles
We walk the whole roof and check the parts that usually fail first: flashing, nail lines, vent boots and the edges. You get photos and a plain answer about what your home needs now, what can wait and what is fine as it is.
What a Roof Inspection Tells You
Most roofs don't fail across the whole surface. They fail at a few small spots. A flashing joint that was never lapped right. A pipe boot that cracked in the sun. A row of nails driven too high. A good inspection finds those spots before water does.
Our inspection is free. We look at the roof from the gutters to the ridge, check the attic if you let us, and tell you what we saw in everyday words. If nothing needs doing, we say so and leave it there.
Homeowners usually call us for one when a house is about to change hands, when winter has been rough on the roof, when the shingles are getting old, or before deciding between roof repair and roof replacement.
What We Check on Your Roof
Flashing at walls and chimneys
Step flashing, counterflashing and chimney flashing are where most leaks start. We check that each piece laps the right way and that the sealant hasn't dried out and pulled loose.
Shingles and nail lines
Where it's safe, we lift a few tabs to see where the nails sit and whether the seal strips are holding. Granule loss, curling, cracks and lifted tabs all get noted and photographed.
Pipe boots, vents and skylights
Rubber pipe boots often crack long before the shingles around them wear out. We check boots, box vents, ridge vent and skylight curbs for gaps.
Decking and the attic
Soft spots underfoot mean wet or rotted decking. From the attic we look for water stains, damp insulation and rusty nail tips that point to poor airflow.
Gutters, drip edge and fascia
Water that backs up behind a gutter rots the fascia and the roof edge. We check pitch, hangers and downspouts, and whether drip edge was installed at all.
Signs It's Time for a Roof Inspection
Stains on a ceiling or in the attic
A brown ring on drywall usually means water has been getting in for a while. The leak is often not right above the stain, so it takes a look at the roof to find it.
Shingle grit in the gutters
Some loose grit in the first year is expected. If you're still scooping it out of the downspouts years later, the shingles have lost much of their coating.
Heavy ice along the eaves
Northern Kentucky winters bring plenty of freeze and thaw. Thick ice at the edge points to heat escaping through the attic, and that ice can push water up under the shingles.
A rough storm just passed
Wind can break a shingle's seal without tearing it off, and hail bruises are hard to see from the yard. If we do find damage, our storm damage repair page explains what comes next.
A house sale is coming up
Knowing the true state of the roof before closing lets everyone agree on a fair number. It also keeps a last-minute repair demand from stalling the deal.
Old patches nobody can explain
Tar smears and mismatched shingles mean someone fixed something before. We check whether those patches are still doing their job.
How Inspection Day Goes
- 1
We set a time by phone
You tell us what you've noticed and we pick a day that works. You don't need to be home for the roof, but it helps if you are so we can see the attic.
- 2
A walk around the house first
Before the ladder goes up, we look at the roofline, gutters and siding from the ground. Sagging ridges and stained fascia show up best from down there.
- 3
On the roof and in the attic
We walk the roof when it's safe, work through each area on our list and take photos as we go. If a roof is too steep, wet or fragile to walk, we check it from the ladder at each edge and tell you that's what we did.
- 4
Findings in plain words
We go through the photos with you and sort everything into fix now, keep an eye on, and fine. If work is needed, you get a free estimate with each item listed on its own line.
How Repairs From an Inspection Get Priced
You pay nothing for us to look. If we spot something that needs work, the price comes down to what's wrong and how easy it is to get to. Each item gets its own line on the estimate, so you can see where the money goes and choose what to tackle first.
- The kind of problem
- Resealing one pipe boot is a small job. Replacing step flashing along a wall means pulling shingles and sometimes siding back, which takes longer.
- Pitch and access
- Steep roofs need more safety gear and slower, careful work. A roof over a porch or a tight side yard can add setup time.
- What's under the shingles
- Rotted decking only shows once the shingles come off. We tell you up front how we'll handle it if we find it, so it isn't a surprise on the bill.
- Repair or replace
- On an older roof, a string of patches can add up to more over a few years than a new roof would. We show you the wear we found and price both ways so you can compare.
Roof Inspection Questions
Something not covered here? (859) 695-6367
Is the inspection really free?
Yes. The visit, the roof check and the walk-through of our photos cost nothing. Hiring us afterward is entirely your choice. Some homeowners just want to know where things stand, and that's fine with us.
How long does it take?
Most take about an hour. A large or cut-up roof takes longer, and checking the attic adds a bit of time. We'll give you a rough idea when we set the day.
Will you walk on my roof?
On most asphalt shingle roofs, yes. We step carefully and stay off spots that feel soft. If walking could damage the roof or it's too steep or wet, we inspect from the ladder and say so in our notes.
Can you inspect a roof for a home sale?
Yes. We check the roof, flashing and gutters and give you a written summary with photos you can share with your agent or the other party. It covers what we saw that day and what we'd keep an eye on.
How often should my roof be checked?
Plan on a look once a year, or every other year on a newer roof. Add an extra one after hail or a hard wind. Spring is a good time, since winter's freeze and thaw has had its chance to open up weak spots by then.
Do you inspect roofs outside Bromley?
Yes. We look at roofs in Ludlow, Park Hills, Covington, Fort Mitchell, Crescent Springs, Erlanger and other nearby towns. Our Service Areas page lists where we work.
Find Out Where Your Roof Stands
One phone call sets up your free inspection. We'll check the small spots that decide how long your roof lasts and show you exactly what we find.