What to Expect From a Roof Inspection in Iowa 

During a roof inspection, a trained inspector checks your shingles, flashing, vents, gutters and, when needed, your attic, then shows you photos and explains what they found. You’ll walk away knowing whether your roof needs nothing, a small repair, or a real conversation about replacement.

Heartland Roofing, Siding & Solar has inspected roofs in Des Moines, Ames, North Liberty and communities across Iowa since 2013, and the same questions come up again and again. Here are straight answers, built from what homeowners actually ask our team on the phone.

Before Your Inspection

Is a roof inspection really free?

At Heartland, yes. The inspection and the estimate that follows are free, and you’re under no obligation to hire anyone afterward. Some companies do charge for a standalone inspection or a written report for a home sale, so ask about any fee before anyone climbs onto your roof.

“Is there a fee just to look at it?” is a question our schedulers hear often. A free inspection should still be a real inspection: a full look at the roof, photos of anything that matters, and an honest explanation. If the price of the visit depends on whether you sign, that tells you something.

Do I need to be home for my roof inspection?

Usually not. For an exterior inspection, the inspector can walk the roof, take photos, and call you afterward with what they found. You’ll need to be home, or have someone there, if the inspector needs to check your attic or look at a ceiling stain inside the house.

If you can be there, great. The inspector can point out problem spots and answer questions on the spot. If you can’t, tell the scheduler about locked gates, dogs in the yard, and exactly where you’ve seen water inside, so nothing gets missed.

When should I get my roof inspected in Iowa?

Plan on an inspection once a year and after any storm with hail or high winds. Fall is the smart season, because small problems get worse once freezing weather arrives. In the Des Moines area, the average first fall freeze lands around October 18, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

Winter is hard on a roof that’s already weak. From 1991 to 2020, the Des Moines area averaged about 24 freeze thaw cycles a year, counting each swing from below 26 degrees Fahrenheit to above 38 degrees (Iowa Environmental Mesonet). Water that slips under a lifted shingle or cracked seal can freeze, expand, and widen the gap every time.

What Happens on Inspection Day

What does a roof inspector actually check?

A thorough inspector looks at the whole roof system, not just the shingles. That means checking for missing, cracked or bruised shingles, loose flashing around chimneys and walls, damaged vents and pipe boots, granules collecting in your gutters, and soft spots underfoot. You should get photos of anything worth your attention.

Flashing is the metal that seals the joints where your roof meets a wall, chimney or valley. Pipe boots are the rubber collars around plumbing vents, and they crack as they age. A Heartland inspector photographs each problem, then walks you through what needs attention now and what can wait.

Will the inspector need to go into my attic?

Sometimes. If you have a leak, a ceiling stain, ice buildup last winter, or signs of poor ventilation, the attic tells the story the shingles can’t. Inspectors look for water stains on the roof deck, damp or matted insulation, frost, mold, and daylight showing through where it shouldn’t.

This matters in Iowa winters. Warm, moist air from your living space can condense on a cold roof deck and look a lot like a roof leak. Knowing which problem you actually have keeps you from paying to fix the wrong one.

Storm Damage and Insurance

After a hailstorm, should I call my insurance company or a roofer first?

Either order works, but a free inspection first tells you whether there’s real storm damage before you open a claim. If the inspector finds damage, contact your insurance company directly and promptly. The Iowa Insurance Division advises homeowners to communicate directly with their insurer and never share policy details with unsolicited contacts.

Keep the inspector’s photos and notes, since they help you understand what to point out to the adjuster. Our guide to filing a roof insurance claim after storm damage walks through each step, and our article on what hail damage looks like on a roof shows the difference between hail hits and normal wear.

My insurance adjuster already inspected my roof. Do I still need a roofer?

In most cases, yes. The adjuster assesses the damage for your insurance company. A roofer figures out what the repair actually takes, including problems an adjuster may not have noted, like cracked flashing or bruised shingles on a slope that’s hard to see from the ground. Having both views helps you understand your settlement.

One Iowa rule to know: under Iowa Code section 103A.71, a residential contractor can’t represent you or negotiate your insurance claim for you. A good roofer documents what they find and explains it clearly, so you can have that conversation with your insurer yourself.

How can I tell a real inspection from a storm chaser’s pitch?

Watch the behavior, not the truck. The Iowa Attorney General warns homeowners to be cautious of people who travel into damaged areas, knock on doors, and demand quick payment or signatures. A real inspection ends with photos and options, not pressure to sign before the inspector leaves your driveway.

Two more checks. Iowa Code section 103A.71 bars residential contractors from promising to rebate your insurance deductible, and a contract that breaks that rule is void. The Attorney General also suggests searching Iowa contractor registration before you hire, so ask for the company’s registration number. Heartland’s is C119821, and we’ve been based right here in Iowa since 2013.

After the Inspection

Do I have to decide anything the day of the inspection?

No. A good inspector explains what they found, shows you the photos, and lays out your options, including lower cost ones like a targeted repair. Then you decide on your own timeline. The Iowa Insurance Division recommends getting more than one estimate and not giving in to pressure tactics.

Homeowners in Heartland’s Google reviews have said our team was not pushy and did not try to upsell. That’s the standard to hold any roofer to. Our guide to hiring a roofing contractor in Iowa lists the questions worth asking before you sign anything.

What happens if my roof needs a repair or a replacement?

You’ll get a clear explanation and a written estimate for the work. Small repairs from Heartland come with a 1 year labor warranty, and every full roof replacement is backed by a 10 year labor and workmanship warranty. If your roof checks out fine, you’ll hear that too, with nothing to buy.

For replacements, Heartland is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, which lets us offer upgraded Owens Corning system warranties. Our Owens Corning warranty FAQ explains how that coverage works. And a roof in good shape today still deserves another look after the next big storm.

Ready to Schedule Your Free Roof Inspection?

Whether you’re in Des Moines, Ames, North Liberty or a town in between, we’ll come out for a free inspection, walk you through what we find with photos, and explain your options, including the ones that cost you less. No pressure, no scare tactics. Call us at (515) 981-3838 or learn more about our roofing services in Iowa.

Sources

• Climodat Report: Freeze/Thaw Cycles, Des Moines Area (IATDSM), Iowa Environmental Mesonet, Iowa State University
• Climodat Report: Last Spring / First Fall / Length of Season, Base 32, Des Moines Area (IATDSM), Iowa Environmental Mesonet, Iowa State University
• Iowa Code Section 103A.71, Residential Contractors, Iowa Legislature
• Consumer Connection: Don’t Be a Victim of Storm Related Scams, Iowa Insurance Division
• Home Improvement and Contractor Tips, Iowa Attorney General