What Does a Roof Inspection Include?

Most homeowners only think about their roof when something goes wrong. But a professional roof inspection — done before problems become emergencies — is one of the smartest maintenance investments you can make.

So what actually happens during an inspection? Here is a complete breakdown of what a qualified roofer examines, why each element matters, and what you can expect from the process.

Your roof is your home's first line of defence against the elements. In the Ottawa Valley and Lanark County, that means protecting against heavy snow loads, ice dams, freeze-thaw cycles, wind, and driving rain.

Most roofing problems start small. A cracked shingle, a gap in flashing, a blocked gutter — none of these look serious from the ground. But left unaddressed through a single Ottawa winter, small issues can become major structural damage.

A professional inspection catches problems at the stage where they are inexpensive to fix. Industry data consistently shows that every dollar spent on preventive roofing maintenance saves three to five dollars in repair costs down the road.

Shingles are the most visible part of your roof and the first thing an inspector examines. A thorough shingle assessment looks for:

• Cracking and curling — signs of age, heat damage, or freeze-thaw stress
• Missing granules — granule loss accelerates shingle deterioration and shows up as bare patches or granules collecting in gutters
• Lifted or loose shingles — often caused by wind or failed adhesive seals
• Missing shingles — any gap is an immediate water infiltration risk
• Blistering — bubbles in shingles indicate moisture trapped during manufacturing or poor attic ventilation
• Moss and algae growth — common in shaded areas, these organisms hold moisture against the shingle surface and accelerate decay

The inspector will also note the approximate age of the shingles and estimate remaining service life. Most asphalt shingles in Ontario have a functional lifespan of 20 to 30 years depending on product quality, installation, and maintenance.

Flashing is the metal material that seals the joints where your roof meets vertical surfaces — chimneys, skylights, vents, dormers, and the valleys where two roof planes intersect. It is the most common source of roof leaks.

An inspector checks:

• Chimney flashing — both the base flashing and the counter-flashing that overlaps it
• Skylight flashing — all four sides, with particular attention to the uphill side where water collects
• Vent pipe boots — the rubber or metal collar around plumbing and exhaust vents
• Valley flashing — the channel where two roof slopes meet, which carries significant water volume
• Step flashing — the interlocking pieces along roof-to-wall transitions

Flashing failures are often subtle — a small crack in sealant, a lifted edge, a corroded section. They are also among the most cost-effective repairs when caught early.

Gutters are technically separate from the roof, but they are inspected together because they are functionally connected. Blocked or damaged gutters cause water to back up under the eaves — a leading cause of ice dams and soffit rot in the Ottawa Valley.

The inspection covers:

• Debris accumulation — leaves, seed pods, and granule buildup that block water flow
• Gutter slope and alignment — gutters should slope toward downspouts at roughly 1 cm per metre
• Seam integrity — leaking seams are common in older sectional gutters
• Downspout condition and discharge — downspouts should direct water at least 1.5 metres away from the foundation
• Fascia board condition — the board gutters attach to is often the first wood to rot when gutters overflow

Soffit is the material that covers the underside of your roof overhang. Fascia is the vertical board at the roof edge where gutters attach. Both are vulnerable to moisture damage and are important for attic ventilation.

An inspector looks for:

• Rot, staining, or paint failure indicating moisture infiltration
• Blocked soffit vents (a common cause of inadequate attic ventilation)
• Pest entry points — gaps in soffit are a common entry for squirrels, starlings, and wasps

A thorough roof inspection does not stop at the exterior. The attic reveals problems that are invisible from outside — and often explains why exterior damage is occurring.

Key attic checks include:

• Ventilation adequacy — proper airflow between soffit intake vents and ridge or gable exhaust vents keeps the attic close to outdoor temperature, preventing ice dams and extending shingle life
• Insulation condition and coverage — wet, compressed, or insufficient insulation is both an energy problem and a roofing problem
• Signs of past or active leaks — water staining on rafters or decking, even if currently dry, indicates a leak that needs to be traced
• Decking condition — soft spots, delamination, or rot in the plywood or OSB decking require attention before they compromise structural integrity
• Mould or mildew — a sign of chronic moisture, usually from inadequate ventilation

Beyond the surface materials, an inspector evaluates the overall structural integrity of the roof system:

• Ridge line — should be straight and level; sagging indicates rafter or decking issues
• Roof planes — should be flat without waves or dips
• Eaves and overhangs — checked for rot and structural soundness
• Chimney condition — mortar joints, crown, and cap are assessed for deterioration

A professional inspector will walk you through their findings and provide a written report. This should include:

• A summary of current condition
• Any immediate concerns requiring prompt attention
• Items to monitor over the next one to two seasons
• An estimated remaining service life for the roof system
• Recommended repairs with approximate costs

At Clean Slate Roofing & Renovations, our inspections are free and come with no obligation. We photograph every finding so you can see exactly what we see — no guesswork, no pressure.

The general recommendation is once per year, ideally in spring after the Ottawa Valley winter has done its worst. Additional inspections are warranted after:

• Any significant wind event or hailstorm
• A tree branch falling on the roof
• Noticing water stains on interior ceilings
• Purchasing a home (always get an independent roofing inspection, separate from the general home inspection)
• Your roof is approaching 15 years of age

You can do a basic visual check from the ground — look for obvious missing shingles, sagging sections, or debris accumulation in gutters. Binoculars help.

What you cannot safely or accurately assess from the ground: flashing condition, shingle granule loss, attic ventilation, decking integrity, or any detail on a steep-slope roof. A professional inspector has the training, equipment, and experience to find problems that are invisible from street level.

Walking on your own roof without proper equipment and training is also a significant safety risk. It is not worth it when professional inspections are available at no cost.

Clean Slate Roofing & Renovations provides free, no-obligation roof inspections across the Ottawa Valley and Lanark County — including Kanata, Barrhaven, Nepean, Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth, Almonte, Arnprior, and surrounding communities.

Our inspectors are GAF, CertainTeed, and Owens Corning certified, and we back all our work with a 10-year workmanship warranty.

Call (343) 552-8198 or email [email protected] to schedule your inspection.