What a Roof Inspection Covers
A good inspection goes over the whole roof and the parts that attach to it. We walk the roof when it is safe, or inspect from a ladder and the ground when it is not. We look at the shingles for curling, cracking, granule loss and hail marks, the ridge and hips, the valleys, the flashing at walls and chimneys, the vents and pipe boots, the eavestroughs and the fascia. Where it helps, we check the attic for stains, damp insulation, daylight and ventilation. Everything we find is photographed so you can see it too. The photo shows a Calgary shingle roof with three roof vents, each one a point we check.
- Shingles, ridge and hips
- Flashing and valleys
- Vents and pipe boots
- Eavestroughs and fascia
- Attic checked where useful
- Photos of what we find
Where Leaks Start
Flashing, Vents and Pipe Boots
Most roof leaks start where something goes through the roof, not in the middle of a shingle field. We check each pipe boot, vent, chimney and skylight, looking for cracked rubber, loose flanges, lifted flashing, dried sealant and exposed nails. These parts age faster than the shingles around them, so a roof can look fine while one failing boot is letting water in. The photo shows a pipe boot and a roof vent on a Calgary shingle roof, the kind of detail we check one by one.
- Rubber boots checked for cracks
- Flanges and sealant inspected
- Nail heads covered
- Chimneys and skylights checked
Small Parts, Big Problems
Pipe Boot Condition and Seals
A pipe boot is a rubber or plastic collar around a plumbing vent pipe. In sun and cold the rubber dries, splits and shrinks, and water runs down the pipe into the attic. The boot's metal or plastic base sits under the shingles above and over the shingles below, and its fasteners need to be covered. In our inspections we often find boots that need to be replaced long before the roof does. The photo shows a pipe boot and its flashing base up close on a Calgary roof.
- Cracked or split collars
- Base flange lifted
- Fasteners exposed
- Replacement is a small repair
Airflow and Attic Health
Roof Vents and Attic Ventilation
Roof vents let the attic breathe. Without enough intake and exhaust, heat and moisture build up, which cooks the shingles from below, rots the deck and feeds ice dams in winter. We check that vents are sound, fastened and sealed, and that the attic has enough airflow for the size of the roof. The photo shows a roof vent and its flashing flange up close on a Calgary roof.
- Vents sound and fastened
- Flashing flanges sealed
- Intake and exhaust balanced
- Moisture and frost signs checked
The Roof's Highest Points
Ridge, Hips and Shingle Condition
Ridge and hip caps take the most sun and wind, so they often wear first. We look at the cap shingles, the nails and the sealant, and we check the field shingles for curling, cracking, missing granules and hail bruising. These signs tell us how much life the roof has left, whether a repair will hold and when to plan for replacement. The photo shows hip and ridge shingles on a Calgary roof.
- Ridge and hip caps checked
- Curling and cracking noted
- Granule loss and hail marks
- Remaining life estimated
An inspection helps you decide, not just find problems.
Roof Repair or Roof Replacement: What Will the Inspection Tell You?
Repair makes sense when:
Damage is limited to one area
The rest of the roof is in good shape
The shingles have years of life left
The problem is a boot, vent or flashing
Replacement makes sense when:
The roof is near 20 years old
Shingles are curling and losing granules everywhere
Leaks keep returning in different places
Hail damage is widespread
Want Your Roof Checked? Tell Us About It
Tell us the age of the roof and anything you have noticed, and we will call you back.
When to Book a Roof Inspection
After Hail or Wind
Hail and wind damage is often invisible from the ground, and a report helps if you make an insurance claim.
Before Buying or Selling
A buyer or a seller can use a roof inspection to know the condition and negotiate fairly.
What You Get From an Inspection
Repair or Replace Advice
We tell you honestly whether a repair will do or the roof is near the end of its life.
A Clear Quote
If you want work done, we give you a clear quote. If you do not, there is no obligation.
Roof Inspection Safety
Only When It Is Safe
We do not walk a wet, icy or snowy roof. If conditions are bad, we inspect from a ladder or reschedule.
You Do Not Need to Climb
Please do not climb on your own roof to look. Our photos show you what is up there.
Why Choose Blueprint for a Roof Inspection
Photo Documentation
Every inspection is photographed, which helps your records and any insurance claim.
Questions About a Roof Inspection?
Send the size, what it is for and a photo of the area, and we will call you back.
Book a Roof Inspection
Frequently Asked Questions About Roof Inspections
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Q. How much does a roof inspection cost in Calgary?
We offer free roof inspections in Calgary. We look at the roof, take photos and tell you plainly what condition it is in, with no obligation. If you ask us to do repairs afterward, we give you a clear quote.
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Q. How often should I have my roof inspected?
Every one to two years is a good habit for a shingle roof, and after every hailstorm or heavy wind. Older roofs benefit from a yearly check.
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Q. Do I need a roof inspection before buying a house?
It is a smart step. A roof can cost thousands to replace, and an inspection tells you how much life is left. Ask your realtor about timing, because a roof inspection needs safe weather and access.
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Q. Can you inspect my roof in winter?
Yes, when it is safe. We do not walk on a snowy or icy roof. We can inspect from a ladder and the ground, and check the attic from inside.
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Q. What will the inspection look at?
Shingles, ridge and hips, valleys, flashing, vents, pipe boots, chimneys, skylights, eavestroughs and fascia, and the attic where it helps. We photograph the findings.
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Q. Will you tell me if I do not need a new roof?
Yes. If a repair will do, we say so. If the roof has years left, we tell you that too, and what to watch for.
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Q. Do you inspect after hail for insurance?
Yes. We document hail damage with photos and a written summary that you can give to your insurer. Our hail damage page explains how a claim works.
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Q. How long does an inspection take?
Most roofs take under an hour on site. Larger or more complicated roofs, or a roof with an attic to check, take longer.
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Q. What if the inspection finds a leak?
We trace it to its source, explain the repair and give you a quote. If water is coming in, we can cover the area temporarily first.
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Q. What does a roof inspection report include?
You get photos of the roof and the problem areas, a plain-language summary of what we found, how serious each issue is and what repair or replacement would involve. If you need it for an insurance claim or a sale, tell us at the start.
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Q. Can hail damage be seen from the ground?
Often not. Hail bruises shingles and dents soft metals in ways that are hard to see from below, which is why a roof inspection after hail is worth doing even if nothing leaks. Dented eavestroughs and vents are clues.
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Q. Do you inspect flat and metal roofs?
Yes. Flat roofs and metal roofs need different checks from shingles, such as seams, ponding water and fasteners. Tell us what type of roof you have when you book.
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Q. What should I do before the inspection?
Clear the way to any attic hatch, note where you have seen stains or drips and tell us how old the roof is and when it was last repaired. You do not need to be home for the roof itself, but we like to explain what we find.
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Q. Is an inspection worth it if my roof looks fine?
Yes. Most roof problems begin small and out of sight, such as a cracked pipe boot or a lifted flashing, and they cost far less to fix before they leak. An inspection also gives you a baseline for how the roof ages.
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Q. Can an inspection find leaks before they happen?
Often. We find the weak points that cause leaks, including worn boots, dried sealant, lifted shingles and exposed nails, and fix them before water gets in. That is much cheaper than repairing a soaked ceiling.
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Q. Which areas do you serve?
We inspect roofs in Calgary and in Airdrie, Chestermere, Cochrane and Okotoks, and in the areas between.
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Q. Do you inspect siding and eavestroughs too?
Yes. We look at the siding and eavestroughs during the same visit, especially after hail, because they show storm damage clearly.
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Q. Can I get a copy of the photos?
Yes. We give you the photos and a summary of the findings, which is useful for your records, a sale or an insurance claim.