Many roof problems in Fort Worth can't be seen from the driveway. A good inspection tells you what's wrong, what can wait and what can't. Here's what ours includes and when to schedule one.
Is a roof inspection free?
Yes. Salter Exteriors offers free roof inspections across Fort Worth and North Texas. There's no charge for us to come out, inspect the roof and send you our findings.
The inspection includes every slope we can safely access, flashing, pipe boots, vents, ridge caps, gutters and downspouts, and, where accessible, the attic. You get dated photos and a detailed estimate for your property if work is needed.
What do you check during the inspection?
We walk the roof and look at the shingles for hail bruising, granule loss, cracking and lifted tabs. We check flashing around chimneys, walls and skylights, the pipe boots and vents, and the valleys where water collects. From the ground and the attic, when it's accessible, we look for sagging decking, stains and signs of poor ventilation. You get labeled photos of everything we find, good or bad, so you can see the roof's condition for yourself.
How often should a Fort Worth roof be inspected?
Once a year, and after any hail or high-wind storm.
Tarrant County logged 482 NOAA hail reports from 2015 through 2025, the most of any Texas county, and 59 of them were hail 2 inches or larger, according to an analysis of NOAA storm event records. About 89 percent of Texas hail reports in that data fell between March and June. With that much hail in a typical spring, damage can happen even in years when you don't notice a big storm. A yearly check, ideally before spring storm season, plus a check after any storm with hail or strong wind, catches small problems early. Our spring storm prep checklist has more pre-season tips.
Why get an inspection before filing an insurance claim?
An inspection tells you whether you have storm damage worth reporting, and gives you dated photos to support the claim.
We mark and photograph hail hits, check test squares on each slope, and look at soft metals like vents and gutters. If we don't see storm damage, we'll tell you, and you can avoid filing a claim that may not be covered. If we do, we can be on the roof when the adjuster inspects, show the damage we documented and share our estimate. Under TDI Bulletin B-0008-24, contractors can discuss estimates and technical details with an adjuster but may not act as your adjuster, so the claim decision stays between you and your insurer.
When should I report roof damage to my insurer?
Promptly. Check your policy for its deadline to report storm damage, and don't wait for a leak to appear.
Policies vary, so read yours or ask your agent. Write down the storm date, your claim number and who you spoke with. Our Texas roof insurance claim guide walks through the full process.
What will the inspection results tell me?
Results fall into three groups: essential roof repairs, items to watch, or replacement.
- Essential roof repairs: things like cracked pipe boots, lifted shingles or failing flashing that should be fixed now.
- Watch items: normal wear we'll note so you can plan ahead.
- Replacement: widespread storm damage or a roof at the end of its life.
If repair is the budget-friendly option, we'll say so. See our roof repair in Fort Worth guide for common repairs.
Do you inspect for home buyers and sellers?
Yes. We inspect roofs for buyers and sellers, including in busy north Fort Worth resale areas like Heritage and Alliance. A roof report with photos can help with negotiation or show buyers the roof's condition.
Does Fort Worth heat damage roofs too?
Yes. Summer heat and UV wear shingles even without storms, especially south- and west-facing slopes.
We look for blistering, cracking and granule loss in sun-exposed areas, and check attic ventilation, which affects how hot shingles get. Homes in Saginaw and Lake Worth with large south-facing slopes often show this. Our roof maintenance tips post covers simple upkeep.
What does a hail inspection look like on the roof?
We check each slope for hail hits, bruising and granule loss, and we photograph the damage with chalk marks so it's easy to see.
Hail hits on asphalt shingles often look like dark spots where granules were knocked off. Pressing on a fresh hit can feel soft, like a bruise on an apple. We also check soft metals, like vents, flashing and gutters, because dents there help confirm the size and direction of the hail. We note the storm date and compare it with hail reports when possible. All of this goes into a photo report you can share with your insurer.
What do you check in the attic?
Where we can safely reach it, we look for water stains, daylight through the decking, damp insulation and signs of poor ventilation.
The attic often shows leaks before the ceiling does. We also check intake and exhaust vents, because a hot, poorly vented attic shortens shingle life in Fort Worth summers. If ventilation needs work, we'll include it in the detailed estimate for your property. Balanced ventilation, with air coming in low at the soffits and leaving high at the ridge, keeps the attic cooler, helps the shingles last and can ease the load on your air conditioner during long Fort Worth summers.
Is there any obligation after a free inspection?
No. You get our findings and photos, and the decision is yours.
There's no deadline and no pressure. Many customers use the report to plan work over a season or two, or to decide whether to call their insurer. If you want a second opinion, that's fine with us. We just want you to have accurate information about your roof. Our guide on how to choose a roofing contractor lists the questions worth asking any roofer you consider.
What can I check from the ground between inspections?
Look for missing or lifted shingles, granules in gutters and at downspout outlets, dents on vents and gutters, sagging rooflines and new ceiling stains.
Walk around the house after any storm with binoculars or your phone's zoom. Look closely at the slopes that faced the wind. Check the attic with a flashlight after heavy rain. Clear leaves from gutters and valleys so water drains properly, especially if big trees hang over the roof. Trim branches that rub the shingles. If anything looks off, take a photo and send it to us; we can tell you whether it's worth an inspection. Small fixes, like a loose pipe boot or a few lifted shingles, are much less expensive when caught early, and our roof maintenance tips post has a seasonal checklist.
From inspection to estimate: what a free roof estimate should include
A good estimate ties every recommendation to something found on the roof, explains repair versus replacement honestly and shows a clear project total. If an estimate leaves you with more questions than answers, it hasn't done its job. Here's what a detailed estimate for your property should cover, whether it comes from us or another roofer.
1. The condition of the roof
The estimate should list the areas inspected and what was found, not just say the roof is "damaged." For example: cracked or missing shingles on the rear slope, worn flashing at the chimney, granule loss, lifted ridge caps, a failed pipe boot or punctures in a low-slope membrane. Photos tie each finding to a location and give you, and an adjuster if there's a claim, a clear record.
2. A clear scope of work
The scope says what will actually be done: a repair, maintenance, emergency tarping or a full replacement. "New roof" isn't a scope. On a shingle roof, a replacement scope should name:
- Tear-off of existing layers and debris removal
- Decking repair and how rotten decking is handled if it's found
- Underlayment, plus ice and water protection where needed
- Shingle brand and line, starter strip, ridge caps and drip edge
- Flashing at walls, chimneys, valleys and skylights
- Pipe boots and ventilation changes
- Permits, disposal, magnetic nail sweep and cleanup
- Material and workmanship warranty
For commercial roofs, expect line items for TPO or membrane repairs, seams, coating prep, drains, penetrations and edge details. If gutters, fascia and soffit, siding or interior damage are involved, the estimate should either include them or clearly say they're outside the roofing scope.
3. Pricing that makes sense
You should see a project total and the items that could change it. Roofing can uncover hidden conditions, like rotten decking under old shingles, so a good estimate explains how those are priced up front instead of hiding vague charges in the fine print. Replacement cost depends on roof size, pitch, material, access, existing layers, flashing, ventilation and decking condition. A lower number isn't automatically better if it leaves out parts of the roofing system.
4. Recommendations and next steps
If the roof can be repaired, the estimate should say what the repair fixes and its limits. If replacement makes more sense, you should get material options, expected timing, how your property will be protected during the work and how cleanup works. For businesses, churches, HOAs and multifamily properties, scheduling and safety planning matter too, because the work can affect residents, customers and staff.
Red flags on a roof estimate
Walk away, or at least slow down, if you see any of these.
- No line items. A single number with no scope makes it impossible to compare bids.
- No photos or findings. The recommendation should be backed by what was actually seen.
- Pressure to sign today. Except for emergency protection of an active leak, you should have time to review the scope.
- Promises to "cover your deductible." In Texas, homeowners must pay their own deductible, and the Texas Department of Insurance warns that contractors may not waive it. Treat that offer as a warning sign.
- Guaranteed insurance approval. No contractor can promise your insurer will pay for a full roof before the claim is reviewed.
- Missing basics. No mention of tear-off, underlayment, flashing, permits, disposal or warranty.
Questions to ask before you approve the work
You don't need to know roofing terms to make a good decision. Ask the contractor to:
- Show you the damage in photos and explain whether a repair is realistic.
- Confirm which materials and labor are included in the project total.
- Explain how long the work will take and how landscaping, driveways and pools will be protected.
- Describe cleanup, including the magnetic nail sweep.
- Explain ventilation, flashing, underlayment and the warranty on materials and workmanship.
- For commercial work, explain how water, building access and tenant disruption will be managed.
The answers should be direct. If a roofer can't explain the recommendation in plain language, that's a warning sign.
What happens to the estimate when there's storm damage?
After hail or wind, your estimate becomes part of the claim record. Our job is to document visible damage, prepare an accurate scope of repairs and help you understand the work needed. Your insurer makes the coverage decisions, and detailed documentation helps make sure damage isn't overlooked. If the roof is leaking, protect the inside first, then finish the full evaluation. Our Texas roof insurance claim guide covers the whole claim process, step by step.
How do I schedule a free roof inspection?
Call or text 972-246-7448, or use the form on our site. We'll set a time, inspect the roof, and send photos and a detailed estimate for your property. When you're ready, let's get your project scheduled. You can also request a free inspection online.
Frequently asked questions
Is your roof inspection really free?
Yes. We inspect the roof and send you photos and our findings at no charge.
Is the roof estimate free too?
Yes. If work is needed, you get a detailed estimate for your property with photos, a written scope and a project total, with no obligation.
What should a roof estimate include?
The roof's condition with photos, a clear scope of work with line items, a project total and what could change it, and recommended next steps.
What are red flags on a roofing estimate?
No line items or photos, pressure to sign the same day, promises to cover your deductible, or guaranteed insurance approval.
How often should I have my roof inspected?
Once a year, and after any hail or high-wind storm.
Should I call my insurer or a roofer first after hail?
Many homeowners get an inspection first to see if there's storm damage, then report it promptly. Check your policy's reporting deadline.
Do you inspect for real estate transactions?
Yes. We provide roof inspections with photos for buyers and sellers.
Questions about your roof? Call or text Aaron at 972-246-7448 for a free inspection.
Thanks for reading,
Aaron
Salter Exteriors, Fort Worth, TX, serving Tarrant County and North Texas · Call or text 972-246-7448
Related services and service areas
Need help with what this article covers? Salter Exteriors Roofing & Remodeling handles roof repair, roof replacement and storm and hail damage restoration. See our local pages for Fort Worth roofing, Burleson roofing and Benbrook roofing, plus the rest of our North Texas service areas. Text or call 972-246-7448 to request a free roof inspection.