GUIDES
Roof Inspection and Leak Detection Guides
36 plain-English guides on residential and commercial roof inspection, leaks, storms, insurance, buying and selling, and Middle Tennessee roofs.
- 36 guides
- 6 topics
- No sign-up
Roof Inspection Basics
What Is a Roof Inspection?A plain-English explanation of what a roof inspection is, who does it and what you get from one.2 min read 
What Roof Inspectors Look ForThe checklist behind a thorough inspection: surfaces, flashings, penetrations, edges and the attic.2 min read 
The Anatomy of a Roof, ExplainedDecking, underlayment, flashing, ridge, valley and more: the parts of a roof and what each one does.2 min read 
How Long Do Roofs Last?Commonly cited service-life ranges by roof type, and the things that shorten or extend them.2 min read 
Signs Your Roof Needs an InspectionTen warning signs, inside and outside the house, that tell you it is time to have the roof looked at.2 min read 
How Often Should a Roof Be Inspected?A practical schedule for homes and commercial buildings, plus the events that call for an extra look.2 min read Roof Leaks Explained
Why Roofs LeakThe most common reasons water gets into a roof, from flashing failures to clogged valleys.2 min read 
How Infrared Roof Inspection WorksWhy a thermal camera can find wet insulation, when it works best and what it cannot do.2 min read 
Electronic Leak Detection ExplainedHow a low-voltage test finds pinholes and seam breaches in membrane roofs.2 min read 
Finding the Source of a Roof LeakWhy leaks are rarely where the stain is, and how inspectors trace water back to its entry point.2 min read 
Roof Leak or Condensation?How to tell whether the water in your attic or on a ceiling comes from the roof, from condensation or…2 min read 
Attic Signs of a Roof LeakWhat to look for with a flashlight on a dry day: stains, damp insulation, rusty nails and daylight.2 min read Storm Damage and Insurance
How to Spot Hail Damage on a RoofWhat hail looks like on shingles, metal and soft metals, and how it differs from age and wear.2 min read 
Wind Damage to Roofs, ExplainedHow wind lifts, creases and strips roofing, where it strikes first and what to look for after a storm.2 min read 
What to Do After a Storm Damages Your RoofA calm, step-by-step plan for the first hours and days: safety, protection, documentation and inspection.2 min read 
Roof Inspection for Insurance ClaimsHow an independent inspection fits into a roof insurance claim, and what it can and cannot do.2 min read 
Documenting Roof Damage with PhotosWhat to photograph, from where and how, so your pictures tell a clear story.2 min read 
When to Get a Second Roof OpinionSituations where a second inspection is wise, and how to use it.2 min read Commercial Roofs
Commercial Roof Types and How They FailTPO, EPDM, PVC, built-up, modified bitumen and metal: how each is built and where each tends to fail.2 min read 
Ponding Water on Flat RoofsWhy standing water is a warning sign, what causes it and what it does to a roof over time.2 min read 
Commercial Roof Inspection FrequencyHow often commercial roofs should be inspected, and which events call for an extra visit.2 min read 
Rooftop Equipment and Roof LeaksHow HVAC units, pipes and supports create leak risk, and how to protect the roof around them.2 min read 
Roof Asset Management for Property OwnersTreating roofs as assets: baselines, ratings, scheduled inspections and capital plans.2 min read 
Drone Inspections for Large RoofsWhy drones suit large and complex roofs, what they capture and where their limits are.2 min read Buying, Selling and Deciding
What a Home Buyer Roof Inspection CoversWhat is checked, what is not and how to use the findings during your inspection period.2 min read 
Roof Inspection Before Selling a HomeWhy inspecting the roof before you list helps you price, repair and sell with fewer surprises.2 min read 
How to Read a Roof Inspection ReportA guide to ratings, priorities, photos and common phrases in a roof report.2 min read Roof Age and Home InsuranceHow roof age and condition can affect coverage, premiums and payouts, and how documentation helps.2 min read 
Repair or Replace? A Roof Decision GuideThe factors that decide between repairing a roof and replacing it, and how an inspection informs the choice.2 min read Questions to Ask a Roof InspectorA checklist for choosing and working with a roof inspector.2 min read Middle Tennessee Roofs
Middle Tennessee Weather and Your RoofHeat, humidity, hail, wind and heavy rain: how the local climate ages roofs.2 min read Hail Season in Middle TennesseeWhen hail typically strikes, what to do before and after, and why inspections after hail matter.2 min read 
Humidity, Algae and Moss on Tennessee RoofsWhy roofs grow dark streaks and green patches here and what to do about it.2 min read 
Trees and Roofs in Nashville NeighborhoodsWhy mature trees help and hurt, and how to protect roofs, gutters and valleys.2 min read Older Nashville Homes and Roof ProblemsCommon issues on historic and mid-century roofs: layers, flashings, valleys, chimneys and material choices.2 min read 
New Construction Roof DefectsInstallation mistakes that show up on brand-new roofs, and why inspecting early matters.2 min read No guides match that search. Try a shorter word, or ask us.
Know your roof. Before the next storm.
Tell us about your roof and what worries you, and we will suggest the right inspection. Most leaks announce themselves long before the ceiling does.