Back to Blog Education What Happens During a Professional Roof Inspection? (Step by Step)
Mark WhiteOctober 5, 20255 min read "What exactly do you look at during a free roof inspection?" Great question, and the answer should give you confidence that your roofer is thorough. If a 'roof inspection' consists of a guy standing in your driveway squinting upward for three minutes, find a different roofer.
Here's our 34-point inspection process at Legacy Home Improvements.
Step 1: Ground-Level Assessment (5 minutes)
Before anyone touches a ladder, we walk the perimeter of your home looking at: gutter installation and downspouts for damage and proper drainage, fascia and soffit for water damage or deterioration, visible roof lines for sagging or irregularities, and soft metal surfaces (vents, AC units) for hail indicators.
This ground-level walk tells us a lot about what to expect on the roof itself.
Step 2: Roof Surface Inspection (15-20 minutes)
We physically get on your roof (or use a drone for steep/inaccessible areas) and systematically check: shingle condition including granule loss, curling, cracking, and blistering; all flashing around chimneys, skylights, vents, and walls; pipe boot collars for cracking or deterioration; ridge caps and hip caps; valley conditions; drip edge installation; and any visible nail pops or exposed fasteners.
Every finding is photographed and noted. No guesswork, no 'I think I saw something.' Documentation.
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If accessible, we check your attic for: ventilation adequacy (soffit and ridge vent airflow), signs of water intrusion (stains, mold, moisture), daylight visible through the roof deck (not good), insulation condition and coverage, and structural issues with rafters or trusses.
The attic tells the truth about what's happening above. Roofs that look fine from outside sometimes tell a very different story from the attic.
Step 4: The Report
You get a written report with photos, findings, and our honest recommendation: repair, monitor, or replace. If we recommend repair, we specify exactly what needs fixing and the approximate cost. If we recommend replacement, we explain why and provide a detailed estimate.
Legacy's roof inspections are free for San Antonio homeowners. Always have been. Call (210) 272-7272 to schedule yours.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
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Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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