Do Horizon Point Inspectors Walk the Roof During an Inspection?

Do Horizon Point Inspectors Walk the Roof During an Inspection? 

One of the most common questions we get when clients call to schedule a home inspection is:
“Will the inspector walk the roof?”

It’s a fair question—and an important one. The condition of the roof can make or break a home purchase, and some inspectors do only a visual check from the ground. At Horizon Point, that’s not our standard.

We Walk the Roof—When It’s Safe to Do So

Our inspectors walk 90% of the roofs we inspect. Why? Because being on the roof gives us a much clearer view of its actual condition. From up close, we’re able to catch issues that are hard or even impossible to see from the ground—like cracked shingles, flashing problems, or soft spots that could indicate underlying damage.

We take roof inspections seriously because we know how much they matter to buyers.

When We Can’t Walk the Roof

There are rare situations where walking the roof just isn’t possible or safe. Here’s when that might happen:

• Snow-covered roofs: If the roof is covered in snow, we won’t risk a fall or give you a half-baked assessment. But don’t worry—we’ll return to inspect the roof once it’s clear, at no extra charge.
  
  
• Steep pitches: If the roof pitch is too steep (typically steeper than 12/6 or 12/7), it becomes unsafe without fall protection. Our inspections are generally done within a 3-hour window, and setting up fall protection gear isn’t feasible within that time frame.
  
  
• Roof height beyond ladder reach: Our ladders extend up to 28 feet. If the roofline is higher than that, we can schedule a drone inspection—usually within 24 hours.
  
  

Safety Without Sacrificing Quality

Our inspectors don’t take shortcuts—but they also don’t take unnecessary risks. According to the State of Ohio's Standards of Practice, inspectors are not required to walk any roof they deem unsafe.

That said, we’ve invested in tools and training to make sure we inspect your roof as thoroughly as possible. Our team uses:

• Specialized roof shoes designed to grip shingles better than regular work boots, reducing damage and increasing stability.
  
  
• Ladders to inspect steep roofs from the gutter line when walking isn’t safe.
  
  
• Drones for high or complex roofs we can’t physically reach.
  
  

Bottom Line

At Horizon Point, roof inspections are never an afterthought. While safety comes first, we’ve built our process to give you the most complete picture possible—whether that’s from walking the roof, inspecting from the ladder, or using drone technology.

Have questions about a specific property or inspection? Give us a call—we’re happy to walk you through the process.