Summary:
When You Should Schedule Your Next Roof Inspection
The standard recommendation is once per year, but that’s not the complete picture for Connecticut homeowners. Your roof faces ice, snow, wind, and temperature swings that can accelerate wear and tear.
We suggest scheduling your annual inspection in late spring or early fall. This timing lets you address any winter damage before the next harsh season hits. If your roof is over 15 years old, you might want to bump that up to twice yearly.
Age and Material Factors That Change Your Inspection Schedule
Your roof’s age is the biggest factor in determining inspection frequency. Newer roofs under 10 years old can typically stick to annual inspections, assuming no major storms or visible damage.
Once your roof hits the 10–15 year mark, you’re entering the zone where small issues start appearing more frequently. This is when twice-yearly inspections become worth the investment. You’re not just looking for problems—you’re catching them while they’re still manageable.
Roofs over 20 years old need more attention. At this age, materials are approaching the end of their expected lifespan, and failure points become more common. Some homeowners in this category benefit from quarterly visual checks, even if they only do professional inspections twice per year.
The material matters too. Asphalt shingles, common in New London County, typically show wear more obviously than metal or slate. Clay tiles can crack from freeze-thaw cycles. Each material has its own vulnerability pattern, and we know what to look for based on what’s covering your house.
Weather Events That Trigger Additional Inspections
Your roof’s age is the biggest factor in determining inspection frequency. Newer roofs under 10 years old can typically stick to annual inspections, assuming no major storms or visible damage.
Once your roof hits the 10–15 year mark, you’re entering the zone where small issues start appearing more frequently. This is when twice-yearly inspections become worth the investment. You’re not just looking for problems—you’re catching them while they’re still manageable.
Roofs over 20 years old need more attention. At this age, materials are approaching the end of their expected lifespan, and failure points become more common. Some homeowners in this category benefit from quarterly visual checks, even if they only do professional inspections twice per year.
The material matters too. Asphalt shingles, common in New London County, typically show wear more obviously than metal or slate. Clay tiles can crack from freeze-thaw cycles. Each material has its own vulnerability pattern, and we know what to look for based on what’s covering your house.
What Professional Roof Inspections Actually Cover
A real roof inspection goes far beyond someone walking around and looking for obvious problems. We check structural integrity, drainage systems, and all the components that keep water out of your house.
We examine shingle condition, flashing around penetrations, gutters, downspouts, and ventilation systems. We also look at your attic space for signs of leaks, proper insulation, and ventilation issues that could cause problems down the road.
Interior and Exterior Assessment Process
The inspection starts before we climb on your roof. We walk around your property, looking at the roof from multiple angles and checking for obvious issues like missing shingles, damaged gutters, or sagging areas.
From the ground, we can spot problems with flashing around chimneys, vent boots that are cracking, or gutters pulling away from the house. We’re also looking at how water flows off your roof and whether it’s being directed properly away from your foundation.
The roof surface inspection covers every shingle, checking for cracks, curling, granule loss, and proper sealing. We examine all the penetrations—vents, chimneys, skylights—where most leaks originate. Flashing around these areas gets particular attention because it’s often the first thing to fail.
Inside your house, we check your attic for water stains, mold growth, proper ventilation, and insulation issues. Poor attic ventilation can cause ice dams in winter and excessive heat buildup in summer, both of which shorten your roof’s lifespan. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that their roof problems are actually ventilation problems.
Documentation and Reporting You Should Expect
A professional inspection should result in detailed documentation of your roof’s condition. This isn’t just a verbal “everything looks good”—you should receive a written report with photos of any issues found.
We provide before-and-after photos, measurements of damaged areas, and clear explanations of what needs attention immediately versus what can wait. This documentation is valuable for insurance claims, warranty issues, and planning future maintenance.
The report should prioritize issues by urgency and cost. Some problems need immediate attention to prevent water damage. Others are maintenance items you can plan for over the next year or two. Understanding this difference helps you budget appropriately and avoid emergency repair situations.
You should also receive recommendations for maintenance between inspections. This might include cleaning gutters, trimming overhanging branches, or watching for specific warning signs based on your roof’s condition and age.
Protecting Your Connecticut Home With Smart Inspection Timing
Regular roof inspections aren’t an expense—they’re insurance against much larger problems. The cost of an annual inspection is typically less than what you’d spend on emergency repairs from a single leak.
For most Connecticut homeowners, annual inspections work well for newer roofs, while older roofs benefit from twice-yearly professional assessments. Always add extra inspections after severe weather, regardless of your roof’s age.
When you’re ready to schedule your next roof inspection, Sullivan Contracting provides thorough assessments for New London County homeowners, helping you stay ahead of problems before they become emergencies.
