The Quick Answer
A professional roof inspection includes a full exterior check of shingles, flashing, valleys, and penetrations; an interior assessment of the attic, decking, and ventilation; and a written report with photos. A thorough inspection takes 30 to 60 minutes and catches leaks, storm damage, and wear before they turn into expensive repairs.
What Does a Roofer Check on the Exterior?
The exterior is where most problems show up first. A complete inspection covers:
- Shingles or panels — granule loss, curling, cracking, blistering, and missing or lifted shingles
- Flashing — the metal seals around chimneys, walls, and valleys, plus step and counter flashing where the roof meets a wall
- Penetrations — pipe boots, vents, and skylights, which are the most common leak points on any roof
- Valleys — where two roof planes meet and water concentrates
- Drip edge, ridge, and ridge cap — the roof's edges and peak
- Gutters, fascia, and soffit — including shingle granules collecting in the gutters, a sign of aging
- Storm damage — hail bruising and wind-lifted shingles from Arkansas storms
Anything that needs attention is documented so you can decide on a repair with the full picture in hand.
What Does a Roof Inspection Include Inside the Attic?
Half of a roof's story is told from the inside. From the attic, the inspector looks for moisture stains and active leaks on the underside of the decking, daylight coming through at penetrations or seams, soft or rotted decking, soaked or compressed insulation, and any mold or mildew caused by trapped moisture. Interior signs often reveal a slow leak long before it shows up as a stain on your living room ceiling.
Does an Inspection Check Roof Ventilation?
Yes — and it matters more in Arkansas than most homeowners realize. The inspector confirms that intake vents (at the soffit) and exhaust vents (at the ridge) are balanced and unobstructed. Poor ventilation traps heat and humidity in the attic, which bakes shingles from below, drives up cooling bills, and can void manufacturer warranties. Our guide to roof ventilation problems in Arkansas explains the warning signs in detail.
What's in the Written Inspection Report?
A good inspection ends with documentation you can actually use. SMI's report includes a plain-language condition summary, dated photos of any issues, an estimate of the roof's remaining service life, and prioritized recommendations. If storm damage is found, that photo documentation becomes the foundation of an insurance claim — it establishes what was damaged, when, and by what.
How Much Does a Roof Inspection Cost in Arkansas?
Many Arkansas roofing companies — SMI included — offer free roof inspections, especially after a hail or wind event. A free inspection covers the assessment, photos, and a repair or replacement recommendation. Specialized inspections, such as a certified report for a real estate transaction, may carry a fee because they involve additional documentation. If you simply want to know the condition of your roof, a free SMI inspection is the place to start.
How Often Should You Get a Roof Inspection?
As a rule, have your roof inspected at least once a year, and again after any major hail or windstorm — peak storm season in Arkansas runs April through June, so late spring is an ideal time. Roofs over 15 years old, and homes you are about to buy or sell, warrant more frequent checks. Our guide on Arkansas storm season inspections covers the timing, and the signs you need a new roof tell you when not to wait for the annual visit.
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
With 35 years in business, 1,700+ roofs completed, and 231+ five-star reviews, SMI's inspectors know exactly what to look for on Arkansas roofs — and we tell you the truth about what we find, including when your roof is in good shape. You get photos, a written report, and a no-pressure recommendation. Schedule your free roof inspection here.