Roof Inspections in Chicago, With Photos
A licensed roofer walks the roof, photographs every problem and tells you plainly whether it needs repair, replacement or nothing.
About roof inspection
An inspection is worth doing before you need it. The most expensive roofing problems in this climate are the slow ones: a failed pipe boot wetting the deck for two winters, a valley that has been leaking into an exterior wall, an attic with blocked intake vents quietly cooking the shingles from below.
The roofer covers the roof surface, the flashings and penetrations, the edge details and gutters, and where access allows, the underside of the deck from the attic. You get a written summary with photographs, a clear statement of condition, and a realistic estimate of remaining service life.
What gets checked
Surface condition
Shingle condition, granule loss, curling, cracking, blistering, and evidence of hail or wind damage.
Flashing and penetrations
Chimneys, pipe boots, vents, skylights, wall transitions and valleys. Where the majority of leaks actually originate.
Edge details and drainage
Drip edge, fascia, soffit condition, gutter attachment and whether water is leaving the roof the way it should.
Attic and deck assessment
Where access permits: signs of past water entry, deck staining, insulation condition and whether intake ventilation is actually open.
Ventilation balance
Intake versus exhaust. Unbalanced ventilation shortens shingle life and drives ice dam formation.
Written report
Photographs, findings, prioritized recommendations and remaining service life. In a format you can act on or file.
An inspection, close up
The details that decide whether a roof reaches its rated life, most of them invisible once it is finished.
Roof inspection questions
More questions are answered on the main FAQ page.
How often should a roof be inspected?
Once a year is reasonable for most properties, plus after any significant hail or high-wind event. Roofs past 15 years benefit from twice a year, typically spring and fall.
What do you actually check?
Surface condition across every slope, all flashings and penetrations, valleys, edge metal and gutters, ventilation intake and exhaust, and where access allows, the deck from inside the attic. Findings come back with photographs.
Will you try to sell me a roof?
No. Plenty of inspections end with "your roof is in good shape, here is what to watch." If the roof needs work, ask for the photographs and the reasoning behind the recommendation. An inspection is not a sales call.
Can I get an inspection for a home I am buying?
Yes, and it is a good idea. A general home inspection covers the roof at a high level. A roofing-specific inspection gives you remaining service life and a repair scope you can use in negotiations.
Roof inspections by area
Roofers cover Chicago and the surrounding suburbs across Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane and McHenry Counties.
Related Roofing Services
Book a free roof inspection
Call with the address. A licensed roofer walks the roof, photographs every problem and tells you plainly what it needs.