A useful inspection should do more than say “good” or “bad.” It should identify the condition, show you what the roofer found, and explain what—if anything—needs attention now.
Your roof can have a problem before your living room has a drip. A shingle may be lifted, a pipe boot may be splitting, flashing may be loose, or storm damage may be subtle from the ground. Routine inspection gives you a chance to find those issues before water has had months to travel through the assembly.
That is particularly relevant in Clovis and Curry County. National Weather Service severe thunderstorm warnings in 2026 have included 60 mph wind gusts and hail with expected roof impacts in the Clovis, Portales, Texico, Melrose and Cannon AFB area. An inspection after a meaningful storm is not about assuming damage exists—it is about replacing uncertainty with evidence.
What should a residential roof inspection include?
The exact scope depends on the roof type and safe access, but a thorough steep-slope residential inspection typically considers the roof covering, transitions, edges, penetrations, drainage and signs of moisture inside the building.
A professional inspection may also document roof age estimates, previous repairs, ventilation observations and areas that should be monitored even if they do not need immediate work.
When should a Clovis homeowner schedule an inspection?
After significant hail, high wind or storm debris
Storms can displace shingles, dent metal, damage ridge components, affect flashing or create impact damage that is hard to evaluate from the yard. If a storm was severe enough to damage nearby roofs, siding, trees or vehicles—or you notice a change on your own property—an inspection is reasonable.
When you see an interior stain or active leak
Do not wait for the next rain to make the problem “prove itself.” A leak investigation should trace the likely entry point and evaluate how far water may have traveled. See How to Spot and Fix Roof Leaks Before They Worsen.
As part of periodic maintenance
NRCA has published residential guidance recommending periodic inspections, including spring and fall as a common twice-yearly benchmark and additional inspections after severe weather. A newer roof with a clean history may not need the same professional schedule as an older roof with repeated repairs, so use the roof's condition and warranty requirements as part of the plan.
Before buying or selling a home
A general home inspection and a roofing-contractor inspection serve different purposes. If a roof question could affect a transaction, a roofer can provide more focused information about roof materials, visible defects, repairability and likely next steps.
Before installing equipment that penetrates or loads the roof
Solar, HVAC, plumbing, satellite and other projects can affect roof penetrations, attachments and future access. Checking the roof first can prevent installing new equipment over a problem that was already developing.
When the roof is older or repair history is growing
Age alone does not condemn a roof, but the older a roof gets, the more useful condition-based planning becomes. If repairs are becoming frequent, an inspection can help compare another targeted repair with roof replacement.
What a roof inspection should not be
- Explains what was actually observed
- Shows photos when possible
- Separates urgent defects from maintenance
- Discusses repairability before jumping to replacement
- Documents storm-related conditions without promising insurance coverage
- Every roof is immediately called a total replacement
- You are pressured to sign before findings are explained
- Coverage is “guaranteed” before the carrier evaluates the claim
- No one can explain where a leak is likely entering
- The recommendation is vague or only verbal
Can you inspect your own roof?
You can perform a useful homeowner check without walking on the roof. From the ground, look for missing materials, changed rooflines, damaged gutters, displaced flashing you can see, debris and evidence of storm impact. Inside, check ceilings and accessible attic spaces for new moisture.
NRCA specifically cautions homeowners and inexperienced property personnel against walking on roofs unless they have the experience and proper equipment to do it safely. Steep slopes, loose materials, wind, wet surfaces and hidden deck damage are all reasons to leave close inspection to a professional.
How to prepare for a roof inspection
You do not need to prepare the roof itself. Instead, gather the information that helps the roofer understand the history of the problem. If you know approximately when the roof was installed, when a leak started, which storms preceded the issue, or where previous repairs were made, have that information ready.
- Take interior photos of stains or leaks before they dry or are painted over.
- Locate warranty documents and prior roofing invoices if you have them.
- Write down rooms or attic areas where you noticed moisture.
- Tell the roofer about recent HVAC, solar, satellite or chimney work that affected the roof.
- Make pets and locked gates manageable so the exterior can be inspected safely.
If you suspect storm damage, note the approximate date of the storm. Do not climb onto the roof to create your own close-up evidence; ground-level and interior documentation is enough for you to start.
What should you receive from a good inspection?
The exact format varies, but the useful parts are consistent: a clear explanation of current condition, photographs of relevant areas when practical, a distinction between normal wear and defects, and a written scope if work is recommended.
For an older roof, the roofer may also identify items to watch even if they do not require immediate repair. That creates a baseline for future maintenance. For a storm inspection, the documentation should describe what was observed without promising what an insurance policy will cover.
What happens after the inspection?
- Review the findings. Ask which conditions are normal wear, maintenance items, repairs or larger concerns.
- See the evidence. Photos and clear location descriptions make the recommendation easier to understand.
- Discuss options. A local repair may be enough; some roofs are better monitored; others may need replacement planning.
- Get a written scope. If work is recommended, make sure the proposal describes what will actually be corrected.
- Save the report. Keep it with roof warranties, previous invoices and property records for future comparison.
How storm inspections differ from routine inspections
A routine maintenance inspection looks for overall roof condition and developing problems. A storm inspection adds context: when the weather event happened, what direction the wind or hail came from, what changed since prior observations, and whether damage patterns are consistent with the reported event.
If insurance may be involved, good documentation is valuable, but the roofing contractor should not promise what the policy will pay. The insurance carrier determines coverage. Our Storm & Hail Damage Roofing page explains our documentation-first approach.
What should I ask the roofer after an inspection?
- What did you find, and where is it located?
- Which items need action now versus monitoring?
- Can the problem be repaired without replacing the roof?
- If replacement is recommended, what makes repair impractical?
- Did you see signs of active water intrusion or deck damage?
- Are flashing, penetrations and roof edges functioning correctly?
- What maintenance would you prioritize over the next year?
How inspection records help over time
A single inspection is a snapshot. A series of inspection notes and photos becomes a history of the roof. That history can show whether a small condition has remained stable, whether a repair has held, or whether wear is spreading across a larger area.
For homeowners planning to stay in the property, keeping those records with warranties and invoices makes future decisions easier. For buyers and sellers, a recent roofing evaluation can also clarify which items are active concerns and which are simply normal age-related observations.
Roof inspection questions Clovis homeowners ask
How long does a roof inspection take?
It varies with roof size, complexity, material, access and whether interior or storm documentation is needed. A simple roof can be quicker than a multi-level home with several valleys, chimneys or low-slope sections.
Does an inspection mean I am committing to repairs?
No. The point of an inspection is to understand condition and options. Ask for a written estimate before authorizing work.
Can an inspection tell me exactly how many years my roof has left?
No honest inspection can predict an exact failure date. It can document current condition, known defects, age-related wear and factors that influence whether repair or replacement planning makes sense.
Should I get an inspection if the roof looks fine after hail?
If the storm was significant or nearby properties show damage, an inspection can be reasonable because not all impact damage is obvious from the ground. That is different from assuming every hailstorm damaged every roof.
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Sources & further reading
We use manufacturer, roofing-industry and weather-service guidance as reference points, then apply it to the conditions Clovis-area property owners actually deal with.