Roof Inspection

Roof Damage Inspection in Chicagoland

A general roof inspection and a specialty material roof inspection are not the same thing. Identifying a problem on a century-old slate roof, a historic clay tile system, or a flat roofing assembly requires a different level of knowledge and a different set of eyes than what most contractors bring to an inspection. At Todco Roofing, our inspections are performed by specialists who work exclusively with these materials every day.

We provide roof damage inspections throughout Chicagoland for homeowners and property managers with slate, tile, and flat roofing systems on historic and high-value properties. Whether you have an active concern or simply want to understand the current condition of your roof, our inspection process gives you an honest, detailed picture of what is going on and what, if anything, needs to be done.

Roof Inspection for Slate, Tile, and Flat Roofing Systems

Specialty material roofs fail in ways that are not always visible from the ground and not always obvious even on the surface. A slate tile can look intact while the fastener holding it has corroded through. A clay tile roof can show no exterior damage while the underlayment beneath it has deteriorated significantly. A flat roof membrane can appear sound while moisture has already begun saturating the insulation below.

Our inspections cover the full roofing system across all three material types:

Slate Roof Inspection

Chicagoland’s historic homes are home to some of the most beautiful slate roofing systems in the Midwest, and keeping them performing requires knowing exactly what to look for. Our slate inspections cover:

  • Individual slate condition including delamination, cracking, and surface porosity
  • Missing or displaced slates that have fallen or shifted out of position
  • Fastener integrity and signs of nail sickness across the full field
  • Flashing condition at chimneys, valleys, and all roof penetrations
  • Ridge and hip mortar integrity
  • Underlayment condition where accessible

Tile Roof Inspection

From clay barrel tile to cement flat profiles, tile roofing systems on historic Chicagoland properties require a trained eye to assess correctly. Our tile inspections cover:

  • Tile surface condition including cracking, lifting, and displacement
  • Missing or fallen tiles that have left the underlying system exposed 
  • Mortar condition along ridges, hips, and field sections
  • Flashing integrity at all transition and penetration points
  • Underlayment performance beneath intact tile sections
  • Drainage performance and gutter attachment

Flat Roof Inspection

Flat and low-slope roofing systems present their own set of inspection challenges. Our flat roofing inspections are designed to identify the issues that are most likely to go undetected until they cause interior damage. We evaluate:

  • Membrane condition including seam integrity, surface cracking, and blistering
  • Ponding water patterns and drainage performance
  • Flashing condition at parapet walls, rooftop equipment, and penetrations
  • Insulation saturation through visual assessment
  • Edge metal and perimeter detailing
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What We Look for During a Roof Inspection

On a specialty material roof, the most costly problems are almost never the ones that are immediately visible. During every inspection we evaluate:
  • The condition of the roofing material across the full surface
  • Flashing integrity at chimneys, valleys, skylights, and penetrations
  • Underlayment and decking performance beneath the surface material
  • Mortar joints, ridge caps, and hip sections
  • Attic inspection for ventilation performance, moisture intrusion, and water tracking along rafters where accessible
  • Gutter attachment, drainage slope, and water management performance
Once complete we walk you through everything we found and give you an honest recommendation. If slate roof repair or tile roof repair is needed, we outline exactly what that involves before any work is discussed.

Roof Inspections After Severe Weather

If a significant storm has moved through your area, do not wait for a ceiling stain to tell you something is wrong. Hail, high winds, and ice can all cause damage to a slate or tile roof that is not visible from the ground and not obvious until water has already found its way in. A single cracked tile, a flashing detail that has pulled away, or an ice dam that forced moisture under the eaves can all create problems that compound quickly if they go unaddressed. Getting an inspection on the calendar after a major weather event is one of the simplest and most cost-effective things you can do to protect a roofing system that was built to last generations.

Why Homeowners Choose Todco Roofing for Roof Inspections

A roof inspection is only as valuable as the expertise behind it. On a historic slate or tile roof, a contractor who does not work with these materials regularly will not know what to look for, what to measure, or how to distinguish normal aging from a genuine performance concern.

  • We Know What to Look For: Our inspectors have deep expertise in slate, tile, and specialty materials. We identify failure modes that a general contractor would miss entirely.
  • Honest Findings, Every Time: We have no incentive to find problems that are not there. If your roof is performing well, we will tell you.
  • Full System Assessment: We do not just look at the surface. Every inspection covers flashing, underlayment, mortar, ventilation, and drainage as a complete system.
  • Useful Documentation: Our inspection reports are detailed enough to support insurance claims, property transactions, and informed repair planning.
  • No Cost, No Obligation: The inspection is free. What you do with the findings is entirely up to you.

Examples of Communities We Serve Throughout Chicagoland

We provide roof damage inspections throughout Chicagoland and the surrounding area, including:

Schedule a Roof Inspection With Todco Roofing

If you have a concern about your slate, tile, or flat roof, or simply want to know where your roof stands before the next season, Todco Roofing is ready to help. Contact us today to schedule your free roof damage inspection in Chicagoland and get an honest assessment from a team that works with these materials every day.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How is a specialty material roof inspection different from a standard inspection? late, tile, and flat roofing systems fail in ways that require specific material knowledge to identify. Our inspectors have spent decades working with these materials and know exactly what to look for in ways that a general contractor simply would not.

How often should a slate or tile roof be inspected? At least once a year and after any significant storm. Regular inspections are the most cost-effective way to protect a specialty material roof long term.

What happens after the inspection? We walk you through what we found and give you an honest recommendation. If the roof is in good shape we will tell you that too.

Can an inspection help with an insurance claim? Our detailed inspection documentation can support the claims process when storm-related damage is present.

Do you inspect flat roofs as well as slate and tile? We inspect all roofing systems we work on including flat and low-slope assemblies throughout Chicagoland.

How long does a roof inspection take? Most residential inspections can be completed in one to two hours depending on the size and complexity of the roof. 

What should I do if I notice an active leak before my inspection? Contact us right away. We can assess the situation quickly and take steps to protect the interior while a permanent repair is planned.