A professional roof inspection in Tucson checks the roof covering, the underlayment beneath it, flashing, roof penetrations, drainage, rooftop equipment, and any signs of leaks inside your home. At Kino Roofing, our roof inspections are free. We recommend one at least once a year and after any significant monsoon storm.
I’m Ivan Infante, owner of Kino Roofing. Before booking a roof inspection in Tucson, homeowners usually want to know one thing: what are you actually checking up there? Here is the full answer.
What Does a Professional Roof Inspection Check?
A professional roof inspection checks every part of the roof that keeps water out, not just the surface you see from the street. Here is what our crew looks at.
The roof covering
We check tile, shingle, metal, and flat roof surfaces for cracks, slipped or missing pieces, and wear. On shingle roofs, that includes broken seals, hail bruising, and granule loss. On tile, we look for cracked or shifted tiles that leave an opening for water.
The underlayment under tile
On a tile roof, the tile is not what keeps water out. The underlayment beneath it is, and in Arizona heat it typically wears out well before the tile does. That is why a tile roof in Tucson can look perfect from the curb and still leak.
Flashing and roof penetrations
Flashing is the metal that seals the joints where the roof meets a wall, chimney, skylight, or vent pipe. We check that it is tight, sealed, and not bent or lifted. Failed flashing rarely looks wrong from the ground.
Rooftop equipment
Many Tucson homes have AC units or evaporative coolers on the roof, and some have solar panels. The seals around this equipment take a beating from sun and storms. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) notes that on shingle roofs, equipment added after installation often does not make a proper connection to the roof.
Drainage
Water has to leave the roof quickly. We check gutters and downspouts, plus the scuppers and canales that drain flat roofs through the parapet walls. On flat and low-slope roofs, we also look for ponding water, separated seams, and worn or cracked coating.
Signs of leaks inside
We ask where you have seen stains or drips. Water often travels a long way before it shows up indoors. So we trace it back to where it actually gets in, instead of sealing the spot above the stain.
What Makes a Roof Inspection in Tucson Different?
Tucson roofs take two hard hits every year: long stretches of extreme heat and a summer storm season. A good inspection here accounts for both.
- Heat: Tucson normally sees 68 days a year at 100°F or hotter, and 2024 set the record with 112, according to the National Weather Service. Months of that heat wear down underlayment, coatings, sealants, and shingles.
- Monsoon: The official monsoon season runs June 15 through September 30. Strong wind can lift tiles and loosen flashing, and heavy rain finds any opening.
Damage from both usually hides under the surface, so a look from the driveway is not enough. Our post-monsoon roof inspection guide covers nine problems you cannot see from the ground.
How Is a Roofer’s Inspection Different From a Home Inspection?
A roofing contractor inspects the roof up close to find what is wrong and why. A general home inspection usually stays at a distance. Under the InterNACHI Home Inspection Standards of Practice, home inspectors look at the roof from ground level or the eaves. They are not required to walk on it, predict how long it will last, or confirm the roofing was fastened and installed correctly.
Their job covers the whole house, not just the roof. So if no roofer has looked at your roof since you moved in, nobody may have checked the underlayment, flashing, or rooftop equipment up close.
When Should You Get a Roof Inspected?
Get your roof inspected at least once a year and after any significant monsoon storm. The NRCA recommends inspections at least twice a year, ideally in spring and fall, plus after severe weather. In Tucson, that timing fits well. Spring catches problems before the heat and monsoon, and fall catches what the storms left behind.
Beyond the yearly visit, here is when to get a roof inspected right away:
- You see a ceiling stain, bubbling paint, or a drip, even if it has dried
- You find broken tile or shingle pieces in the yard or gutters
- You plan to file an insurance claim for storm damage
- You added or replaced a rooftop AC unit, cooler, or solar panel
- Your tile roof has never had its underlayment checked
Most of the expensive roofing work we see started as something small that went unnoticed for a season or two. A scheduled inspection is what catches it early.
Is a Free Roof Inspection in Arizona Really Free?
At Kino Roofing, yes. Our roof inspections and maintenance inspections are free. With any roofer, it is worth asking up front whether a free roof inspection in Arizona depends on hiring them for the repair.
During your free inspection, we lay out what your roof needs and what your choices are, without pressure to spend more than the job calls for. If replacement is on the table, we walk you through what we found, what continued repairs would cost, and what a new system would cost. Then you decide.
We also offer financing and work with insurance when the damage is covered.
How Can You Get the Most Out of a Roof Inspection?
A little prep and a few good questions make your inspection far more useful.
Before the visit:
- Write down where and when you have seen leaks or stains, and what the weather was like
- Gather any roof paperwork: install date, past repairs, and warranty documents. The NRCA recommends keeping a running history of your roof.
- Note any rooftop equipment that was added or replaced, and when
- Stay off the roof yourself. Tile can crack under your weight, and dusty surfaces are easy to slip on.
After the visit, ask:
- Which problems need attention now, and which can wait?
- Can I see photos of what you found?
- Is repair or replacement the better spend for a roof this age?
- Does any of this look like storm damage I should report to my insurance?
Key Takeaways
- A professional roof inspection checks the covering, underlayment, flashing, penetrations, rooftop equipment, drainage, and signs of leaks inside.
- Tucson heat and monsoon storms cause roof damage that often hides under the surface.
- Home inspectors are not required to walk on a roof, so a roofer’s inspection covers what a home inspection may miss.
- Schedule an inspection at least once a year, after significant storms, and before filing an insurance claim.
- Kino Roofing’s roof inspections and maintenance inspections are free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my roof inspected in Tucson?
At least once a year, and again after any significant monsoon storm. Spring and fall are good times because they bracket Tucson’s heat and storm season.
Should I get a roof inspection before filing an insurance claim?
Yes. Most homeowners policies cover sudden storm damage but generally not damage from deferred maintenance or normal aging. An inspection documents what the storm actually did, which helps when you talk with your adjuster.
Can a tile roof look fine and still leak?
Yes. In Arizona heat, the underlayment under the tile usually wears out well before the tile does. When it fails, water gets through even though the tiles look fine from the street.
Do you inspect flat and commercial roofs?
Yes. We service TPO, built-up, and metal commercial systems and can schedule work around your operating hours. The most common flat roof problems are ponding water, seam separation, and coating failure.
Can a renter request a roof inspection?
We need the property owner’s permission to work on a home, so the request has to come from the owner rather than a tenant.
Ready to Book Your Free Roof Inspection?
Small roof problems in Tucson rarely stay small. A yearly roof inspection Tucson homeowners schedule in spring or fall is the simplest way to catch worn underlayment, loose flashing, or a failing seal before it turns into a leak.
Kino Roofing LLC is a licensed, bonded, and insured roofing contractor in Tucson (Arizona ROC 339345). We are one of a small number of GAF Master Elite contractors in Arizona, and our crews are in-house, not subcontracted. We inspect and repair shingle, tile, metal, TPO, and built-up roofs on homes and commercial buildings. If you already have an active leak, our emergency storm repair team can respond quickly.
Call (520) 653-9731 to book your free roof inspection.