21-Point Roof Inspection vs Standard Inspection

When considering work for your roof, you’ll often hear terms like “inspection” or “21-point inspection.” You might not know the difference if you’re not in the roofing industry or haven’t partnered with a reputable company. Understanding this distinction is key to ensuring your roof gets the thorough evaluation it deserves.

Regular Inspection

A standard roofing inspection for some companies is just someone coming to your home, taking a quick look at your roof from the ground, and maybe climbing up to check it out. But that doesn’t always mean they look at the important spots where damage can hide. Things like attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys often get overlooked. A real roofing inspection should go beyond just the surface—it should dig into everything connected to your roof to make sure nothing gets missed.

21 Point Inspection

The 21-point roof inspection is a comprehensive inspection that involves investigating 21 critical areas of the home. Starting outside your home, our roofing professional will look at your roof to check for any visible signs of damage such as cracks, missing shingles, or sagging areas. Following the visual inspection, the contractor will safely get onto your roof to check the conditions up close. They look for those same signs of visible damage to assess what state your roof is in. While up there, they also check chimneys, vents, and anything else that may be on your roof. Gutters and downspouts are also checked during this step. Your gutter systems can have debris, blockages, rust, holes, separation, or regular wear and tear. These are important to note because your gutter health affects your roof health and vice versa. During this inspection, the roofing professional investigates the attic or crawl space of your home. They look for any signs of a leak or water damage from an old leak. While there, they check for mold and mildew as well which can be signs of roofing issues.

Why?

By having a 21-point roof inspection, you can find issues before they worsen. After any major storm, you should have your home inspected even if you can’t see damage. There may be an underlying issue only a professional could find. The 21-point roof inspection can help you detect minor issues before they become major problems and help you make an informed decision. By maintaining your roof and being proactive with issues, you can ensure its longevity. At The Third Estimate, we provide a free, comprehensive 21-point roof inspection to accurately identify any issues with your roof, giving you the clarity you need.