Roof Inspection Checklist: What Reputable Roofing Contractors Examine and Why It Matters for Insurance Claims
You schedule a roofing contractor to inspect your roof. How do you know they’re a high-quality roofer? What are they looking for? Why does it matter? And what should you walk away with?
To start, a good roofer doesn’t just eyeball your shingles and leave a business card. They follow a detailed, methodical process to assess the condition of your roof, document any issues, and determine whether damage may be covered by insurance or paid out-of-pocket.
Let’s highlight the elements of a professional roof inspection, why it matters, and what’s important in our Austin, Dallas, College Station and Central Texas service areas.
1. 360° Ground-Level Inspection
Every inspection begins from the ground. In order to help identify potential structural issues and water drainage problems that can indicate deeper issues up top. A reputable contractor will walk the entire perimeter of your home, taking note of:
- Roofline sagging or unevenness
- Gutter system health and flow direction
- Damage to soffits, fascia boards, and siding
- Any visible signs of roof deterioration from below
2. Inspecting Soft Metals
Once on the roof, inspectors closely evaluate all soft metals for any degradation or storm damage. Soft metals are thinner, malleable components on your roof that are more susceptible to dents and damage from hail and wind-driven debris. Unlike shingles, these materials don’t “bounce back,” so dents in soft metals are a telltale sign of storm impact. They include chimney caps, vent flashings, furnace flues, and drip edges.
Why this matters to your roof insurance claims?
Insurance companies often use damage to soft metals as evidence of storm-related impact, which helps substantiate claims. A skilled roofer will document these dents clearly to support your case.
3. Checking Roof Penetrations
Any place where a part of the roof system goes through layers of the roof has the potential to be vulnerable to water damage. Because if these penetrations are not properly flashed or sealed, water can leak into your attic or wall cavities, eventually causing rot, mold, and major structural problems. Common areas of potential roof penetration includes:
- Vent pipes
- Skylights
- Chimneys
- Satellite mounts
- HVAC or exhaust fans
4. Evaluating Roof Valleys
Roof valleys are where two slopes meet and form natural channels for rainwater to run off. Because valleys collect and direct large volumes of water, they are also one of the most leak-prone areas of any roof.
During an inspection, we check for:
- Cracks or deterioration in valley flashing
- Debris buildup or blockages
- Signs of prior or ongoing water damage
Why checking roof valleys matters in Central Texas?
With Central Texas’ intense rain events and quick accumulation during storms, improper drainage in valleys can lead to pooling, which speeds up roof failure and may cause interior damage.
5. Determining Roof Insurance Coverage
A key part of our job is determining whether this damage is recent and sudden, or due to aging or neglect. Recent, sudden damage is often due to weather and thus covered by insurance. Whereas an older or unmaintained roof is not typically covered by insurance. After major weather events, we assess the entire roofing system for storm damage. This includes:
- Hail bruising, which appear as small dents or soft spots on shingles
- Granule loss, which appear as small bald patches on asphalt shingles
- Wind damage, that typically results in lifted or missing shingles
Our findings are carefully documented with photos and descriptions, making it easier for you or your insurance adjuster move forward with a roof insurance claim.
Documentation & Insurance Claim Readiness
After a thorough inspection, what’s next?
A quality, reputable roofer should leave you with a clear, organized inspection report. This report will be essential whether you’re filing a claim, budgeting for future repairs, or negotiating a home sale. It should include:
- High-resolution photos of each issue
- Notes on location and severity
- A breakdown of recommended repairs or replacements
Insurance relevance (covered vs. cosmetic or maintenance-related)
Ultimately, a high-quality roof inspection should give you a full picture. It should educate you not just what’s damaged, but why, what to do next, and whether your insurance can help. At Tarrytown Roofing, we approach every roof with a trained eye, thorough documentation, and the local expertise to protect your home or help you close your deal confidently. And any questions you think of during the inspection or after, we’re happy to help and walk your through the process.
Need a roof inspection in Austin, DFW, or surrounding areas? We’d love to help with your roof assessment.
