by Andy Huffman | Sep 10, 2026 | Roofing Tips
Most homeowners only think about their roof when there’s a problem. By then, a small issue has often become an expensive one. Annual professional inspections change this equation — catching problems early when repair costs are low and preventing insurance claim windows from closing.
What a Traditional Roof Inspection Covers
A professional on-roof inspection covers:
- roof inspection covers:
- All visible shingle surfaces for lifting, curling, cracking, or granule loss
- All valleys for debris accumulation and flashing integrity
- Ridge cap condition and wind resistance
- All pipe boots and penetration flashings
- Chimney flashing and counter flashing
- Gutter attachment and condition
- Fascia and soffit condition
- Attic access for interior review (ventilation, insulation level, moisture)
A thorough traditional inspection takes 45-90 minutes for a standard residential roof.
Professional inspection ensures no damage goes undetected
Why Drone Inspections Are Better for Northwest Indiana Homes
Alamo Roofing uses high-resolution drone inspection as our standard approach. Here’s why it’s superior:
Complete coverage: A drone captures every square inch of your roof surface, including areas difficult or impossible to safely access on steep-pitch historic homes in Crown Point or Hammond.
Better documentation: Drone footage creates a visual record of every impact, every area of granule loss, every flashing gap. This documentation is critical for insurance claims — far more comprehensive than photos from ground level or even from a walking inspection.
Safety: No ladders against your fascia, no boots on your landscaping, no risk to our crew on a wet or steep surface.
Pre and post-storm documentation: Drone footage before a storm establishes baseline condition. Footage after establishes claim-able damage. This before/after documentation is extraordinarily powerful in insurance negotiations.
Thermal imaging (available): Infrared drone inspection can detect moisture trapped in insulation and decking that isn’t yet visible — catching water infiltration before it becomes structural damage.
Alamo Roofing serves Lake County, Porter County & northern Illinois
Quality materials and expert installation make the difference
What Happens After the Inspection
After a Alamo drone inspection, you receive:
Written inspection report with photos documenting all findings — organized by category (shingle condition, flashing, gutters, etc.)
💡 Pro Tip
Schedule a professional inspection within 30 days of any major storm. Early detection prevents costly repairs down the road.
Honest assessment of what we found: no action needed, repair recommended, or replacement warranted — with reasoning for each recommendation
Insurance damage documentation if the inspection reveals storm-related damage — formatted for submission to your insurance company
Written estimate if repair or replacement is recommended, with all options clearly priced
How Often Should You Get Inspected?
Annually: The standard recommendation for any roof 10+ years old. Spring inspections catch winter damage; fall inspections prepare you for winter.
After any significant storm: Any hail event of 3/4″ or larger, any wind event producing 60+ mph gusts, or any storm that causes visible damage to trees, gutters, or neighboring homes.
Before buying a home: A professional roof inspection before closing can identify issues that affect your offer price or require seller repair.
Before selling a home: Knowing your roof’s condition before listing prevents negotiation surprises and allows time to address issues or make an informed disclosure.
Alamo roof inspections are always free. Call (219) 248-2194 to schedule.
Ready for Your Free Roof Inspection?
Call us at (219) 248-2194 or book online below.
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 9AM–3PM | 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
Get Your Free Roof Inspection
Free drone inspections across Lake County, Porter County & northern Illinois. Honest assessments — repair, replace, or no action needed.
(219) 248-2194
Book Online
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM · Sat 9AM–3PM · 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
by Andy Huffman | Sep 7, 2026 | Roofing Tips
Should You Get a Roof Inspection Before Buying a Home in Indiana or Illinois?
Buying a home is the largest financial transaction most people make — and the roof is one of the highest-value systems in that home. A roof replacement can cost $10,000-$25,000 or more. Buying a home without knowing the roof’s condition is a significant financial risk that’s easy to avoid.
What a Standard Home Inspection Doesn’t Tell You
Standard home inspectors are generalists — they assess the full home in 2-4 hours. Roofing represents a fraction of their inspection time. Most home inspectors:
– Assess the roof from ground level or from the gutters — not from walking the surface
– Identify obvious issues (missing shingles, visible damage, active leaks)
– Don’t use drones for close-up photographic documentation
– Don’t assess for hail damage specifically
A general home inspection identifies gross deficiencies. It doesn’t give you the information you need to assess whether you’re buying a roof with 18 months of remaining life or 18 years.
What a Professional Roof-Specific Inspection Provides
A dedicated professional roof inspection — particularly one using drone technology — provides:
Comprehensive surface documentation: Every shingle surface photographed and assessed for granule loss, hail bruising, lifting, and cracking. Issues that aren’t visible from ground level are documented.
Flashing condition assessment: Chimney flashing, valley flashing, pipe boots, and all penetrations assessed for integrity.
Gutter and drainage condition: Full documentation of gutter attachment, condition, and drainage adequacy.
Estimated remaining life: An honest assessment of how many years of remaining life the current roof system likely has — and whether any immediate repairs are needed.
Storm damage identification: If the home has claimable storm damage — and many homes do, as homeowners don’t always know what to look for — this is identified and documented before purchase.
How to Use Roof Inspection Findings in Your Purchase
If significant issues are found:
You have three options: negotiate a price reduction reflecting the cost of repair or replacement; negotiate for the seller to repair or replace before closing; or walk away if the issues are too significant.
Having a professional written inspection report with photographic documentation gives you leverage in this negotiation. An opinion without documentation is just one party’s word against another’s. Documentation changes the conversation.
If claimable storm damage is found:
This is where it gets interesting. A home with documented storm damage that hasn’t been claimed represents a potential windfall for the buyer — you could purchase the home and file a claim for damage that predates your ownership. Indiana and Illinois insurance policies vary on this, and you should discuss with both your real estate attorney and insurance agent. But identifying storm damage before purchase is genuinely valuable.
If the roof is near end of life but undamaged:
Factor the replacement cost into your offer. A 20-year-old roof may have 3-5 years of life remaining — that’s a $15,000-$20,000 expense coming in the near term that should be reflected in your purchase price.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Timing and Cost
Alamo provides pre-purchase roof inspections throughout our service area. The inspection includes drone documentation, written report, and our honest assessment of condition and remaining life.
Timing: Schedule before your standard inspection contingency period expires so you have time to negotiate based on findings.
Cost: Alamo pre-purchase inspections are free. We provide the inspection at no charge with the expectation that if the home needs work, you’ll consider us for it.
Call (219) 224-2636 to schedule a pre-purchase roof inspection.
About Alamo Roofing Contractors
Alamo Roofing Contractors is a GAF Master Elite certified roofing contractor serving Northwest Indiana and northern Illinois since 2017. Based in Portage, Indiana at 6064 Lute Rd, we serve Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County with residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, and exterior services.
[Schedule Your Free Estimate] → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/DKc0HhICa64zXLn8XJtX
[Call (219) 224-2636] → tel:+12192242636
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 9AM–3PM | 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
by Andy Huffman | Sep 7, 2026 | Roofing Tips
Should You Get a Roof Inspection Before Buying a Home in Indiana or Illinois?
Buying a home is the largest financial transaction most people make — and the roof is one of the highest-value systems in that home. A roof replacement can cost $10,000-$25,000 or more. Buying a home without knowing the roof’s condition is a significant financial risk that’s easy to avoid.
What a Standard Home Inspection Doesn’t Tell You
Standard home inspectors are generalists — they assess the full home in 2-4 hours. Roofing represents a fraction of their inspection time. Most home inspectors:
– Assess the roof from ground level or from the gutters — not from walking the surface
– Identify obvious issues (missing shingles, visible damage, active leaks)
– Don’t use drones for close-up photographic documentation
– Don’t assess for hail damage specifically
A general home inspection identifies gross deficiencies. It doesn’t give you the information you need to assess whether you’re buying a roof with 18 months of remaining life or 18 years.
What a Professional Roof-Specific Inspection Provides
A dedicated professional roof inspection — particularly one using drone technology — provides:
Comprehensive surface documentation: Every shingle surface photographed and assessed for granule loss, hail bruising, lifting, and cracking. Issues that aren’t visible from ground level are documented.
Flashing condition assessment: Chimney flashing, valley flashing, pipe boots, and all penetrations assessed for integrity.
Gutter and drainage condition: Full documentation of gutter attachment, condition, and drainage adequacy.
Estimated remaining life: An honest assessment of how many years of remaining life the current roof system likely has — and whether any immediate repairs are needed.
Storm damage identification: If the home has claimable storm damage — and many homes do, as homeowners don’t always know what to look for — this is identified and documented before purchase.
How to Use Roof Inspection Findings in Your Purchase
If significant issues are found:
You have three options: negotiate a price reduction reflecting the cost of repair or replacement; negotiate for the seller to repair or replace before closing; or walk away if the issues are too significant.
Having a professional written inspection report with photographic documentation gives you leverage in this negotiation. An opinion without documentation is just one party’s word against another’s. Documentation changes the conversation.
If claimable storm damage is found:
This is where it gets interesting. A home with documented storm damage that hasn’t been claimed represents a potential windfall for the buyer — you could purchase the home and file a claim for damage that predates your ownership. Indiana and Illinois insurance policies vary on this, and you should discuss with both your real estate attorney and insurance agent. But identifying storm damage before purchase is genuinely valuable.
If the roof is near end of life but undamaged:
Factor the replacement cost into your offer. A 20-year-old roof may have 3-5 years of life remaining — that’s a $15,000-$20,000 expense coming in the near term that should be reflected in your purchase price.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Timing and Cost
Alamo provides pre-purchase roof inspections throughout our service area. The inspection includes drone documentation, written report, and our honest assessment of condition and remaining life.
Timing: Schedule before your standard inspection contingency period expires so you have time to negotiate based on findings.
Cost: Alamo pre-purchase inspections are free. We provide the inspection at no charge with the expectation that if the home needs work, you’ll consider us for it.
Call (219) 224-2636 to schedule a pre-purchase roof inspection.
About Alamo Roofing Contractors
Alamo Roofing Contractors is a GAF Master Elite certified roofing contractor serving Northwest Indiana and northern Illinois since 2017. Based in Portage, Indiana at 6064 Lute Rd, we serve Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County with residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, and exterior services.
[Schedule Your Free Estimate] → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/DKc0HhICa64zXLn8XJtX
[Call (219) 224-2636] → tel:+12192242636
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 9AM–3PM | 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
by Andy Huffman | Sep 7, 2026 | Roofing Tips
Buying a home is the largest financial transaction most people make — and the roof is one of the highest-value systems in that home. A roof replacement can cost $10,000-$25,000 or more. Buying a home without knowing the roof’s condition is a significant financial risk that’s easy to avoid.
What a Standard Home Inspection Doesn’t Tell You
Standard home inspectors are generalists — they assess the full home in 2-4 hours. Roofing represents a fraction of their inspection time. Most home inspectors:
- they assess the full home in 2-4 hours. Roofing represents a fraction of their inspection time. Most home inspectors:
- Assess the roof from ground level or from the gutters — not from walking the surface
- Identify obvious issues (missing shingles, visible damage, active leaks)
- Don’t use drones for close-up photographic documentation
- Don’t assess for hail damage specifically
A general home inspection identifies gross deficiencies. It doesn’t give you the information you need to assess whether you’re buying a roof with 18 months of remaining life or 18 years.
Professional inspection ensures no damage goes undetected
What a Professional Roof-Specific Inspection Provides
A dedicated professional roof inspection — particularly one using drone technology — provides:
Comprehensive surface documentation: Every shingle surface photographed and assessed for granule loss, hail bruising, lifting, and cracking. Issues that aren’t visible from ground level are documented.
Flashing condition assessment: Chimney flashing, valley flashing, pipe boots, and all penetrations assessed for integrity.
Gutter and drainage condition: Full documentation of gutter attachment, condition, and drainage adequacy.
Estimated remaining life: An honest assessment of how many years of remaining life the current roof system likely has — and whether any immediate repairs are needed.
Storm damage identification: If the home has claimable storm damage — and many homes do, as homeowners don’t always know what to look for — this is identified and documented before purchase.
Alamo Roofing serves Lake County, Porter County & northern Illinois
Quality materials and expert installation make the difference
How to Use Roof Inspection Findings in Your Purchase
If significant issues are found:
You have three options: negotiate a price reduction reflecting the cost of repair or replacement; negotiate for the seller to repair or replace before closing; or walk away if the issues are too significant.
Having a professional written inspection report with photographic documentation gives you leverage in this negotiation. An opinion without documentation is just one party’s word against another’s. Documentation changes the conversation.
💡 Pro Tip
Schedule a professional inspection within 30 days of any major storm. Early detection prevents costly repairs down the road.
If claimable storm damage is found:
This is where it gets interesting. A home with documented storm damage that hasn’t been claimed represents a potential windfall for the buyer — you could purchase the home and file a claim for damage that predates your ownership. Indiana and Illinois insurance policies vary on this, and you should discuss with both your real estate attorney and insurance agent. But identifying storm damage before purchase is genuinely valuable.
If the roof is near end of life but undamaged:
Factor the replacement cost into your offer. A 20-year-old roof may have 3-5 years of life remaining — that’s a $15,000-$20,000 expense coming in the near term that should be reflected in your purchase price.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Timing and Cost
Alamo provides pre-purchase roof inspections throughout our service area. The inspection includes drone documentation, written report, and our honest assessment of condition and remaining life.
Timing: Schedule before your standard inspection contingency period expires so you have time to negotiate based on findings.
Cost: Alamo pre-purchase inspections are free. We provide the inspection at no charge with the expectation that if the home needs work, you’ll consider us for it.
Ready for Your Free Roof Inspection?
Call us at (219) 248-2194 or book online below.
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 9AM–3PM | 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
Get Your Free Roof Inspection
Free drone inspections across Lake County, Porter County & northern Illinois. Honest assessments — repair, replace, or no action needed.
(219) 248-2194
Book Online
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM · Sat 9AM–3PM · 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection
by Andy Huffman | Aug 31, 2026 | Roofing Tips
Roof Decking — OSB vs. Plywood, Rot Signs, and When to Replace During Re-Roofing
Most homeowners think of their roof as shingles. But the shingles are just the surface — the structural foundation they’re nailed into is your roof deck, and its condition directly affects whether your new shingles perform properly and last their rated lifespan.
What Roof Decking Is and Does
Roof decking (also called roof sheathing) is the structural panel material nailed to your roof rafters. Everything above it — underlayment, ice and water shield, shingles — is attached to it. It provides:
– Structural rigidity to the roof framing
– A nailing surface for all roofing components
– A substrate that transfers loads to the rafters
Decking integrity is fundamental. Soft, rotted, or damaged decking compromises shingle fastening and can allow further water infiltration even through a new roof.
OSB vs. Plywood — What’s the Difference?
Plywood: Multiple thin wood veneers bonded with adhesive, alternating grain direction. Stronger for its thickness, handles moisture exposure better than OSB, holds fasteners well even after some moisture exposure. Common in homes built before the mid-1990s.
OSB (Oriented Strand Board): Wood strands compressed and bonded with adhesive. More uniform in thickness, less expensive than plywood, and the dominant product in homes built since the mid-1990s. Performs comparably to plywood under normal conditions but is more sensitive to prolonged moisture exposure — edges swell and delaminate when wet.
In practice, both materials perform adequately under properly installed roofing systems. The meaningful difference shows up when moisture has been present — OSB failure from moisture exposure tends to be more visible and more complete.
How Decking Gets Damaged
Active roof leaks: Water infiltrating through failed shingles, flashings, or pipe boots saturates decking and causes rot or delamination over time. Even small leaks, if sustained, cause significant decking damage.
Ice dam water infiltration: Water backed up behind ice dams infiltrates below shingles and reaches the decking at the eave. This is one of the most common decking damage patterns in Northwest Indiana homes.
Condensation from inadequate ventilation: Moisture rising from the living space condenses on underside of cold decking in winter. Chronic condensation causes slow deterioration that may not be visible until full rot develops.
Original installation defects: Improper gap spacing during original installation can cause buckled panels when wood expands seasonally.
How We Assess Decking During Re-Roofing
During tear-off, we walk the entire deck surface and assess:
– Any areas that feel soft or spongy underfoot
– Visual signs of staining, mold, or delamination
– Edge deterioration (common with OSB after moisture exposure)
– Any areas of obvious rot or structural compromise
We photograph every area of concern and show you before replacing anything. We charge by the sheet (4×8 panels) for replacement — you know the cost before we proceed.
We never replace decking that doesn’t need replacement. Our reputation depends on honest assessments, not padding job costs with unnecessary materials.
What Decking Replacement Costs
Standard OSB or plywood replacement: $85-$150 per sheet (4×8 panel) installed, depending on accessibility and location. Each sheet covers 32 square feet.
Original plank decking (older homes): Some Crown Point, Hammond, and older Portage homes have original solid-board plank decking. Replacing planks requires more time than panel replacement — typically $4-$8 per square foot.
The Red Flag: Multiple Layers on Old Decking
Indiana and Illinois allow a maximum of two shingle layers. Homes with two existing layers must have both removed before re-roofing. When we tear off two layers on an older home, we often find decking that hasn’t been inspected in 30-40 years. Budget for potential decking replacement on any multi-layer tear-off project — the likelihood is meaningfully higher than on single-layer projects.
Call (219) 224-2636 — we’ll assess your decking honestly during your free inspection.
About Alamo Roofing Contractors
Alamo Roofing Contractors is a GAF Master Elite certified roofing contractor serving Northwest Indiana and northern Illinois since 2017. Based in Portage, Indiana at 6064 Lute Rd, we serve Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County with residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, and exterior services.
[Schedule Your Free Estimate] → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/DKc0HhICa64zXLn8XJtX
[Call (219) 224-2636] → tel:+12192242636
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 9AM–3PM | 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
by Andy Huffman | Aug 31, 2026 | Roofing Tips
Roof Decking — OSB vs. Plywood, Rot Signs, and When to Replace During Re-Roofing
Most homeowners think of their roof as shingles. But the shingles are just the surface — the structural foundation they’re nailed into is your roof deck, and its condition directly affects whether your new shingles perform properly and last their rated lifespan.
What Roof Decking Is and Does
Roof decking (also called roof sheathing) is the structural panel material nailed to your roof rafters. Everything above it — underlayment, ice and water shield, shingles — is attached to it. It provides:
– Structural rigidity to the roof framing
– A nailing surface for all roofing components
– A substrate that transfers loads to the rafters
Decking integrity is fundamental. Soft, rotted, or damaged decking compromises shingle fastening and can allow further water infiltration even through a new roof.
OSB vs. Plywood — What’s the Difference?
Plywood: Multiple thin wood veneers bonded with adhesive, alternating grain direction. Stronger for its thickness, handles moisture exposure better than OSB, holds fasteners well even after some moisture exposure. Common in homes built before the mid-1990s.
OSB (Oriented Strand Board): Wood strands compressed and bonded with adhesive. More uniform in thickness, less expensive than plywood, and the dominant product in homes built since the mid-1990s. Performs comparably to plywood under normal conditions but is more sensitive to prolonged moisture exposure — edges swell and delaminate when wet.
In practice, both materials perform adequately under properly installed roofing systems. The meaningful difference shows up when moisture has been present — OSB failure from moisture exposure tends to be more visible and more complete.
How Decking Gets Damaged
Active roof leaks: Water infiltrating through failed shingles, flashings, or pipe boots saturates decking and causes rot or delamination over time. Even small leaks, if sustained, cause significant decking damage.
Ice dam water infiltration: Water backed up behind ice dams infiltrates below shingles and reaches the decking at the eave. This is one of the most common decking damage patterns in Northwest Indiana homes.
Condensation from inadequate ventilation: Moisture rising from the living space condenses on underside of cold decking in winter. Chronic condensation causes slow deterioration that may not be visible until full rot develops.
Original installation defects: Improper gap spacing during original installation can cause buckled panels when wood expands seasonally.
How We Assess Decking During Re-Roofing
During tear-off, we walk the entire deck surface and assess:
– Any areas that feel soft or spongy underfoot
– Visual signs of staining, mold, or delamination
– Edge deterioration (common with OSB after moisture exposure)
– Any areas of obvious rot or structural compromise
We photograph every area of concern and show you before replacing anything. We charge by the sheet (4×8 panels) for replacement — you know the cost before we proceed.
We never replace decking that doesn’t need replacement. Our reputation depends on honest assessments, not padding job costs with unnecessary materials.
What Decking Replacement Costs
Standard OSB or plywood replacement: $85-$150 per sheet (4×8 panel) installed, depending on accessibility and location. Each sheet covers 32 square feet.
Original plank decking (older homes): Some Crown Point, Hammond, and older Portage homes have original solid-board plank decking. Replacing planks requires more time than panel replacement — typically $4-$8 per square foot.
The Red Flag: Multiple Layers on Old Decking
Indiana and Illinois allow a maximum of two shingle layers. Homes with two existing layers must have both removed before re-roofing. When we tear off two layers on an older home, we often find decking that hasn’t been inspected in 30-40 years. Budget for potential decking replacement on any multi-layer tear-off project — the likelihood is meaningfully higher than on single-layer projects.
Call (219) 224-2636 — we’ll assess your decking honestly during your free inspection.
About Alamo Roofing Contractors
Alamo Roofing Contractors is a GAF Master Elite certified roofing contractor serving Northwest Indiana and northern Illinois since 2017. Based in Portage, Indiana at 6064 Lute Rd, we serve Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County with residential and commercial roofing, siding, gutters, and exterior services.
[Schedule Your Free Estimate] → https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/booking/DKc0HhICa64zXLn8XJtX
[Call (219) 224-2636] → tel:+12192242636
Mon–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 9AM–3PM | 24/7 Emergency Storm Response
