Category: Plumbing

How to Inspect a Roof for Roofing Damage

The Importance of Roof Damage Inspections

Sometimes it’s immediately obvious that there’s a problem with your roof, such as broken tiles on the ground after a storm or water leaking through your roof after heavy rain or hail storm. Importantly, it’s not always so simple to spot some of the signs of roofing damage, at first glance. Knowing how to check your roof for roofing damage is very important, as you’ll be able to identify serious problems quickly and stay one step ahead of maintenance concerns when they arise. Once you know how to perform basic checks, it’ll be easier to monitor the health of your roof and catch small problems before they escalate into expensive repairs!

Here are three simple steps for how to check your roof for roofing damage:

Step One: Inspect the Property Exterior

Examining the roof from the ground is the best place to start. You should be able to get a good idea of your roof’s condition this way, just make sure that you make a note of any areas that look abnormal or have clear signs of damage.

Slowly make your way around the exterior of your home, checking the ground and roof for signs of damage like fallen branches and broken/missing shingles. Keep an eye out for moss and algae growth on your roof, as it’ll need removing to prevent moisture damage. If the moss has been in place for a long time, then it may already have caused damage.

Next, you need to take a closer look at the shingles. If you’re not comfortable climbing up to your roof or you don’t have the correct safety equipment, then using binoculars will help you to identify problems. Check for aged, cracked, and sagging shingles, and any signs that the shingles are curling, buckling, or have lost their texture.

If any shingles are missing or have become damaged or separated, the inside of your home will be much more vulnerable to water damage.

Inspecting Metal & Flat Roofs

If your home doesn’t have a shingle roof, then inspecting it can actually be a lot easier. You can quickly inspect metal roofs for dents, holes, rust, and panel separation. For flat roofs, keep an eye out for tears in the material, holes, and standing water.

Step Two: Look Around the Attic

After checking the exterior, it’s time to inspect your attic. If your roof is damaged, then there’ll often be visible signs of the damage on the interior.

First check for any signs of active leaks – using a flashlight will help you to spot water quickly. Then check for holes, making sure that you inspect all parts of the roof carefully for signs of light leaking in.

Water rings on the roof, areas that are darker than others, and sagging are all clear signs that your roof has been damaged.

Step Three: Examine the Flashing, Guttering & Vents

Flashing is a thin metal strip that’s used to seal joints and keep water out of the interior of your home; vents, chimneys and other objects on your roof will have flashing. Using binoculars again if you have them, check the flashing on your roof for gaps, rust, or signs that it has moved – the flashing should be completely flush with the roof.

Next, check your vents for dents or other visible signs of damage. Make sure that they’re not blocked and are working properly.

Finally, you need to inspect your guttering. Blocked and damaged gutters can cause major damage to your roof, so it’s important to check them properly. Check whether the gutters are sagging or have become loose, inspect them for tears and holes, and make sure there are no blockages.

You should also check the gutters and downspouts for signs of granules that may have come off the shingles.

Why should you inspect your roof?

Roof systems can deteriorate from normal wear, severe weather conditions (e.g. wind and snow loads) building movement (e.g. settlement, material contraction/expansion) and even improper design, so it’s vital that you inspect your roof regularly in order to identify any issues that have developed or may soon occur.

How often should you inspect your roof?

Regular inspections of your roof will lead to early detection of problems. We advise that you perform annual formal visual roof inspections when your roof is free of snow and materials, and informal inspections after any severe weather conditions occur.

What to look for when checking a roof

You can hire a property inspector to do a thorough roof inspection or opt to do it yourself. While it it not the most technical job in the world, homeowners should know what to look for when checking and inspecting their roof. Check if the shingles are intact and in a good condition, and not deteriorating. There should also be no missing tiles.

In addition to the roof, inspect under the eaves and overhangs, the fascia, and guttering for any water damage. Check around all roof interruptions such as skylights, dormers, chimneys, roof mounted antennas or satellite dishes, and vent pipes.

Inspecting different roof types

It’s important to understand that different roof types require different inspection techniques and can be susceptible to different issues. Below we have a guide to how to inspect different roof types. If you’re looking for a more in-depth guide to different types of roof tiles and slates, you can find a comprehensive guide here.

Asphalt roofing

When asphalt shingles age they become brittle and the granules can detach from the shingles. Inspect for bare spots as well as torn or warped shingles.

Metal roofing

Commonly steel, copper, aluminium, or galvanized iron. Most metal roofs have a life expectancy of about 50 years. Perforations, pits, rust, or corrosion can help determine the age of the roof. Check the seams, corners, and joints for loose, dried out, or peeling caulk or another seam material.

Slate and/or clay tile roofing

These normally have around 75 years or lifetime warranties, but they can leak sooner depending on the quality of workmanship. When inspecting, you should avoid walking on these materials as they can break under the weight.

Wooden shakes or shingles

Again, avoid walking on this material. Instead, simply inspect using binoculars or from a ladder. Weather will deteriorate wood shakes and shingles over time. See if there are missing, rotted, warped, or broken shingles or shakes. If a third or more of the roof is damaged, the whole roof needs replacing.

What type of roof damage is not covered by home insurance?

An average homeowner’s insurance policy usually covers things like roof leaks and other roof damage. If your roof is damaged by fire, hail, or wind, then your home insurance should cover the costs of repairing that damage. If that fire, hail, or wind causes a leak in your roof, then home insurance should cover the cost of repairing the roof and any other damage caused by that leak.

However, there are certain types of roof damage that will not be covered by home insurance, including:

• Wear and tear damage on an older roof
• Damage caused by unresolved maintenance issues; if your roof has been leaking for years, for example, and you have ignored it until recently, then you may not be able to claim damages caused by that leak.
• Roof damage caused by wind and hail if your home insurance policy has wind and hail exclusions. See important tips for roof hail damage here.
• Damage caused by failing to take immediate action after a storm, like failing to put a tarp over the hole in your roof in the days following an accident, leading to more water damage.

Consult your home insurance policy to determine what is and is not covered by your home insurance.

$125 Dollar Sewer Inspections

Safe Investment Home Inspections is experienced in inspecting industrial, commercial, and residential sewer lines for owners and real estate agents around the state. You can be confident that in hiring us to inspect your sewer line that you will get an unbiased, professional, detailed, and spot on sewer inspection. Our technicians are fully trained and take pride in a job well done!

Inspection Includes:

DVD, Locates, Digital Report w/ images, Recommendations, Toilet Access (floor mounted), rooftop access, crawl space access, proper clean up of the area, and no trip charge within

A video camera inspection involves guiding a video camera through the sewer system in your home. As the camera travels through the system, video footage is displayed and recorded. We are able identify broken pipes, leaks, bellies, tree root damage, and other harmful obstructions. The cameras also allow us to verify that pipes are clean and obstruction free following service. Replacing a sewer pipe can cost between $4000 and $25,000. Better safe than sorry! We are an honest home inspection company, and pride ourselves in helping you understand the condition of your sewer line good or bad.

Video Sewer Inspection Determines The Condition of The Pipe

There is no need to think about the sewer system when things are good. However, when things are not, it is noticed right away. There are signs that cannot be ignored. The annoying odor suggests that something has gone wrong in the sewer drainage system

Video Camera Inspection Allows Us To See The Problem First Hand

The sewage drainage system is where raw waste from the toilet, sinks and bathtub is drawn away from the home or business. With a San Diego video sewer inspection, the problem or clog can be seen utilizing a closed circuit television system (CCTV).   Customer Testimonial Sarah V. San Diego “I had been faced with a sewage dilemma and needed a credible company that could locate the problem. Therefore, I looked for experienced plumber technicians with good reputations. I discovered that a San Diego video drain inspection could make it possible to view the inside of backed-up drains or other problems with the drain system. A video sewer inspection is just what was needed to expose my leaking sewer. When the inspection was completed, the best recommendation by the technician was given to me. I was able to make a decision about my sewer system repair. My experience was that this problem was handled knowledgeably and professionally.”

Video Sewer & Drain Inspection Services

A clogged drain can cause a backup into the sink and toilet. video drain inspection equipment crawls through the pipe, revealing cracks, erosion, debris and other problems. The video viewer technology can spot problems in the drain almost immediately.

We offer Video Camera Inspections of Your Sewer for No Cost

When it comes to fast, reliable, and no-cost sewer inspections, you can always count on the professional plumbers here at Trenchless Rehab. Each of our plumbing professionals has the training, experience, and local licensing necessary to handle any inspection job they come across at no cost to you. So, if you’ve been putting off getting a sewer inspection, then you’ve come to the right place! Contact us to schedule a San Diego video camera inspection today!

How Much Does A Sewer Camera Inspection Cost?

A sewer video inspection costs between $231 and $942, or an average of $583. Certain circumstances could make the total between $100 and $1,200. Professionals usually charge a flat rate for this service. If you need additional work as a result, the rate to hire a plumber runs $45 to $150 per hour.

You have hundreds of feet of plumbing under your house that you cannot see. If something goes wrong, you must look inside the pipes. A sewer scope is an inspection. It involves a camera that goes through your drain line to give you a view of its condition. Homeowners often choose this service to find the cause of leaks or clogs, or as part of a real estate transaction. The project is complicated and paying $200 to rent equipment may not be cheaper than having a professional do it for you. In most cases, it is best to hire a pro.

For an average cost of $231 and $942, the professional will do the following:

Open the drain to run the camera through the line.

Use the device to complete a visual check of the plumbing for possible problem.

Put the drain back into position after the inspection.

Create a report with the results.

Provide a DVD or digital file of the recording, in many cases

What’s Not Included in the Cost of a Drain Camera Inspection

The camera inspection provides you with information, but not repairs. If a plumber offers to do the job for free, ask for a list of standard service prices. Plumbers who charge little or nothing for the scope may expect to charge more for related services,

such as:

the cost to clean a drain: just over $200

the price of clearing a sewer line: $300

the expense of main sewer line repair: $2,500

sewer line replacement: $7,500

object removal (e.g. jewelry, mobile phone).

SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION

If clear water was the only thing you put down your drains, they’d work problem-free all the time. However, drains in residential and commercial properties must handle the complications caused by soap, grease, hair, dirt and all sorts of other debris that can lead to clogs.

WHEN DO YOU NEED A SEWER CAMERA INSPECTION?

If you’re experiencing the warning signs of a clog, such as a slow or backed-up drain, noticeable sewer odors around your property, mold growth or a flooded basement, you are rightfully concerned about fixing the problem as quickly as possible.

we take all clogs seriously. That’s why our technicians offer innovative video camera inspections for sewer lines. If you currently have a clog on your property – or, if you want to be proactive about ensuring you won’t have any problems down the road

WHAT IS A VIDEO SEWER INSPECTION?

Video sewer cameras are the most accurate way to identify common sewer line issues such as clogs and leaks. The video footage can also reveal larger problems such as broken, cracked or collapsed pipes.

Using your drain cleanout or other access point, a video camera sewer inspector will insert a specially designed video camera into your sewer pipeline. The high-definition cameras we use to conduct video sewer inspections are tiny, but mighty – not only waterproof, but highly maneuverable, even when we need to access hard-to-reach locations in your pipes.

SEWER CAMERA INSPECTIONS

Advanced Plumbing Systems is the premier company to call for scheduling a sewer line inspection and surrounding areas. Special sewer cameras enable our professional plumbers to get a look at underground pipes and other aspects of your plumbing system that could otherwise only be seen by digging up the backyard and gaining access to the sewer and sewer lines.

Now we can gain visual access without the need for physical access. That means we don’t have to dig up your yard first – saving you a lot of heartache and money. Having been in the business since 2004, our team has seen changes and advancements that have made the entire process easier. We look forward to using our state-of-the-art system to solve your residential or light commercial sewer problems.

Here are a few things you should know about sewer inspections:

A flexible rod is used to move the camera around; one that even can go around corners. This allows a trained pro to get a good look inside your pipes and sewer.

The equipment is waterproof. That means this set-up can withstand the conditions and provide accurate readings.

This set-up can be used to identify any number of problems. From a punctured line to root intrusion, this camera will be able to provide visual access to whatever issue there is.

There have been instances of less-than-reputable plumbers showing video of another sewer, in order to make a client think they have big, expensive repairs costs that need to be addressed. When in doubt, make it a point to get a second opinion.