What should a roof inspection include?
A useful roof inspection covers the roof surface, flashing, penetrations, and attic when it is safely accessible, and you should leave with photos of each problem area plus a plain-English answer on repair versus replace.
Central Florida roofers say "inspection" a lot. What you actually need is evidence you can keep, not a three-minute ladder glance that ends only in "full replacement today."
What should be checked
- Field of the roof: missing, creased, curled, or granule-bare shingles; cracked or displaced tile; loose metal panels or fasteners
- Edges and ridges: drip edge, ridge vents, hip and ridge caps
- Flashing: chimneys, sidewalls, skylights, valleys
- Penetrations: plumbing stacks, vents, satellite mounts
- Attic (if safely accessible): wet insulation, stained sheathing, daylight through the decking, condensation vs leak patterns
- Gutters and downspouts as they relate to roof runoff (not a substitute for a full gutter remodel pitch)
What Florida DEM tells homeowners to look for
Florida's Division of Emergency Management Hurricane Retrofit Guide says cracked, broken, buckled, blistered, or granule-worn shingle tabs are very strong indicators that you are likely to lose shingles during a hurricane. If you are not able to make the inspection yourself, get a reputable roofer or home inspector to evaluate your roof. From inside your attic on a sunny day, look for signs of leaks or cracks and holes where you can see light, and use a flashlight to inspect for stains caused by leaks.
- From the roof: cracks, broken tabs, buckling, curling or blistering, and tabs with most of the surface granules worn off
- From the roof: shiny white fiberglass fabric (weave) showing, or tabs that are bowed or cupped
- From the attic on a sunny day: signs of leaks, cracks or holes where you can see light, and stains on sheathing, rafters, or trusses
- Around chimneys, valleys, and penetrations: water stains and daylight through the sheathing
- If you are not comfortable on a ladder, DEM says get a reputable roofer or home inspector
What to ask for afterward
- Photos of each concern, not one wide shot of the whole house
- A short written summary of what is wrong, what is fine, and whether repair or replacement is the honest path
- Notes that help an insurance or 4-point / roof-condition conversation if your renewal needs them
- Clear next steps and pricing ranges only after the findings, not before the walk
What a roof inspection is NOT
- Not a guarantee your insurer will pay for a new roof
- Not an automatic full replacement recommendation
- Not permission for anyone to start tear-off the same afternoon unless you ask for emergency drying-in
- Not a substitute for an insurer-approved “authorized inspector” under Florida Statutes section 627.7011(5) if your carrier specifically requires their approved list for a useful-life letter
- Not the same thing as a wind mitigation inspection on form OIR-B1-1802, which scores construction features for discounts, not overall roof condition
How TruShield fits
- You book through our quiz or phone line
- We match you with a local licensed roofer who does the on-site inspection
- Ask for photos and a short written summary before you leave
- You stay in control of whether anything gets repaired
Next step
Start the roof quiz on this page or call 386-999-4616. Have your renewal letter or any leak photos handy when the roofer comes out. It helps them focus on what your insurer is asking about.