A roof inspection tells you what condition the roof is in before a problem shows up on your ceiling. In Tucson, timing matters. Monsoon season begins on 15 June and the first storms usually arrive in early July, so the weeks before that are the best time to find and fix weak spots.
When to get a roof inspected
Before the monsoon.
A spring check catches worn coating, loose tiles and blocked scuppers while there is still time to repair them.
Before buying a home.
More than half of Tucson homes (52.5%) were built before 1980. A roofer can tell you how much life the roof has left and what repairs are coming.
After a big storm.
Wind damage is not always visible from the ground.
Before a recoat.
A foam roof should be checked for wet foam and blisters before any new coating goes on.
For rental property.
About 48% of occupied homes in Tucson are rented. Landlords often rely on tenants to report problems, which means small leaks can go unseen.
What a roofer checks
- The roof surface: tiles, shingles, foam coating or metal panels.
- Flashing at walls, parapets, chimneys, vents and skylights.
- Rooftop units such as air conditioners and coolers, and the curbs they sit on.
- Scuppers, drains and gutters, and signs of standing water.
- Signs of past repairs and how many roof layers are on the house.
- Inside: ceiling stains and, where possible, the attic for water marks or daylight.
What you get back
Ask for a written summary with photos. It should say what is in good shape, what needs repair now, what can wait, and roughly how much life the roof has left. If repairs are needed, the roofer can include a written estimate for the work.
What to do with the results
If the roof is in good shape, keep the report and photos. They give you a baseline to compare against after the next storm, and they are useful if you sell the home or file an insurance claim later. If repairs are needed, ask which ones should be done before July and which can wait until fall. For a foam roof, ask how thick the remaining coating is and when the next recoat should be planned. For a tile roof, ask about the condition of the underlayment where the roofer could see it.
Checking the roofer
Ask for the roofer's Arizona Registrar of Contractors license number. For homes, look for an R-42 or a CR-42 license. An inspection should be honest about what does not need work as well as what does.
Common questions
How often should a Tucson roof be inspected?
Once a year is a good habit, ideally in spring before monsoon season. Also check after any storm that leaves debris or damage behind.
Is a home inspector's roof check enough?
A general home inspection looks at the roof, but a roofer can go into more detail about repairs, remaining life and cost. Many buyers get both.
What does a roof inspection cost?
Pricing varies by roofer and by the size of the roof. Ask for the price when you call, and whether it is credited if you go ahead with repairs.
Other services
Roof Repair
Monsoon leaks, cracked tile, worn foam, lifted shingles and loose flashing on Tucson roofs.
Roof Coating
Elastomeric, acrylic and silicone recoats for foam and flat roofs under the Tucson sun.
Flat and Foam Roofs
Ponding water, blisters, clogged scuppers and damaged foam on Tucson flat roofs.