Decode Your Roof Inspection Report — Every Line Explained

Roofing inspection reports are full of jargon — written for

insurance adjusters who decide claim payouts, not homeowners trying

to understand what to fix first.

Here's the 22-finding glossary, in priority order.

Critical (fix within 30 days)

1. Active leak — water actively coming through. Stop reading,

call a roofer.

1. Mat exposure — fiberglass core of asphalt shingle visible.

UV will destroy it within 1-2 years.

1. Fastener pull-through — nails coming up through shingles.

Indicates structural lift or wood-rot below.

1. Flashing separation — metal flashing pulled away from

chimney, vent, or wall. Direct water pathway.

1. Punctures — anything piercing the shingle. Hail, branch

impact, or fastener through-driven.

High (fix within 90 days)

1. Granule loss (significant) — > 30% loss of surface granules.

Reflectance + UV protection compromised.

1. Curling / cupping — shingle edges turning up or under.

Indicates aging or moisture trapped beneath.

1. Lifted shingles — wind has pushed shingles out of position.

Re-bond or replace before next storm.

1. Cracked tile — concrete or clay tile cracked through.

Underlayment exposed.

1. Failed sealant at penetrations — caulk shrunk/cracked at

vents, skylights, chimneys.

Medium (fix at next maintenance window)

1. Bruising — dark spots on shingle indicating impact, no

through-puncture. Class 1 hail damage threshold.

1. Algae streaks — Gloeocapsa magma. Cosmetic + accelerates

granule loss but not urgent.

1. Pine needle accumulation — clean before next monsoon.
2. Improper drip edge — missing or installed under flashing

instead of over.

1. Vent screen damage — pest entry + ember pathway in WUI

zones.

Low (note for next re-roof)

1. 3-tab vs architectural — older 3-tab shingles indicate

aging roof; not a defect itself.

1. Mismatched repair patches — cosmetic only.
2. Old underlayment visible at edges — re-roofs done over

existing shingles.

1. Single-ply ridge — non-vented ridge in newer construction.
2. Discolored decking (visible from attic) — past leak,

currently dry.

Informational only

1. Roof age estimate — adjuster reference for actuarial

calculations.

1. Square footage measurement — contractor will verify.

How to use the report

1. Sort findings by priority (critical → low).
2. Get 2-3 contractor quotes for critical + high items.
3. Bundle medium items into your next scheduled maintenance.
4. Save the report — adjusters reference past reports for

insurance claims.

Match with a contractor who'll explain your report →