What Happens During a Professional Roof Inspection — And Why Drone Inspections Are Better
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:
– 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.
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.
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.)
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) 224-2636 to schedule.
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, we serve Lake County, Porter County, LaPorte County, Cook County, Will County, and DuPage County.
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