Will the roof on the home that you are buying qualify for a LeakFREE Roof Certification?

Only members of the NRCIA can issue a LeakFREE® Roof Certification. It is the federally trademarked document that warrants your roof remains LeakFREE® for a 2 year period, or our member will repair. Our patent pending system is the most advanced in the industry, from our onsite pictures and comprehensive analysis, to our online record storage and easy access. Demand a LeakFREE® Certification, it is inexpensive and has the national standards you deserve.

A LeakFREE® Roof Certification has many advantages over any other similar piece of paper. When you purchase our certification, you already know that it is backed by a national association and not just a small roofer that could go out of business. Many states and cities require certifications before a home is sold, and ours meet all the requirements to help you reduce your mortgage payments, insurance premiums and even the purchase price. Buyers should not have to purchase a home with mold or other problems associated to roof damage and leaks. We offer assurance that home inspectors, who just walk around your home, cannot give. Members must get on the roof and in the attic, taking many pictures to sustain their analysis.

THE VisualROOF® INSPECTION PROCESS
Following the VisualROOF® inspection protocols, a trained specialist starts the roof inspection by examining the interior walls, ceilings, and attic to see if there is any visual evidence of a roof leak. Any evidence gives the roof inspector a very good idea of what to examine most closely during the actual inspection of the roof.

Next the inspector examines the perimeter of the building looking for further evidence of leaks or damage. That includes looking for water stains on the outside of the building and looking for dry-rot and damage on the eaves and rafters.

After the interior and perimeter observations are complete, the inspector moves to the roof itself and performs a visual (non-destructive) examination. Each type of roof has its own common critical areas and the specialist is trained to pay special attention to these potential trouble spots.

The majority of the time roof leaks are due to:
- Missing shingles
- Broken tiles
- Worn felt
- Cracked flashings
- Sun-exposed roof membrane

During the entire inspection process the inspector takes photos of any evidence of current or future roof leaks. Once all photos are taken and the inspection is complete, the inspector assembles the written inspection report including the photos along with an explanation of findings, their implications and recommended repairs.

Beyond giving the customer an idea of what it will cost to repair the roof, estimated repair costs can help in home sale negotiations.

ROOF FACTS

Are roofs normally a problem?
- Roof deficiencies are the most common problem reported by home inspection associations.
- 30% of real estate inspection claims are due to roof leaks and water penetration.
- 39% of homeowner’s insurance claims are because of roof problems.

Doesn’t the home inspector inspect the roof?
- Home inspectors are limited to looking for visible signs of existing problems. Only 46% of roof damage can be seen from the ground in a normal home inspection.
- They can only report on the condition of the roof on the day of inspection.
- They cannot guarantee the future performance of a roof.

Generally, home inspectors will defer their opinion and recommend a further inspection of the roof by a licensed roofing professional.

What happens when a certified roof leaks?
Our certification services include stopping leaks from:
- Normal wear-and-tear
- Perils of nature
- Third party damage

In the unlikely event of a leak, a NRCIA member will make a priority service call to determine the cause of the leak for a nominal fee specified on the certificate.
If it is determined that the leak is from normal wear-and-tear or is covered under our repair warranty, it will be stopped at no additional cost. Fixing leaks from other causes is at additional cost, but is frequently covered by homeowners insurance. We are experienced in working with home insurers and will perform associated repair services for a fair price in order to keep the certification in force.
Certifying your roof - it's all about peace-of-mind!

Did you know that roof coverage under home warranty plans costs extra and is extremely limited?
Some home warranty insurance plans offer one year coverage of the roof as an option. These are called "roof riders". When the roof leaks, the home warranty company sends out a roofer to provide spot roof repairs or requires you to get three bids from various roofers. Unless you happen to have proof on the condition of your roof at the time the rider was issued your ability to collect depends upon the after-the-fact opinion of whoever was called out by the warranty company to do the repair work. The NRCIA''s trademarked two-year LeakFREE® Certification agreement is a superior alternative. We provide assurance on the condition of the entire roof based on a patent-pending roof inspection process.