Walking on Roofs Can Damage Them: Here’s Why We Don’t Do It

At Pine Point Property Inspections, we believe in doing right by your home—even if that means breaking away from traditional inspection habits. One of the most common questions we get is, “Do you walk on the roof during the inspection?”

The answer is: not if we can avoid it. Here’s why that’s better for you—and for your property.

Walking on Roofs Isn’t Just Risky—It’s Harmful

It might seem like walking the roof would be the most direct way to inspect it. But in many cases, walking on certain roof materials can cause more harm than good.

• Asphalt shingles can tear, bruise, or shift under weight.
• Clay and slate tiles are brittle and can crack with even light pressure.
• Metal roofing is prone to denting and scratching, which can compromise its protective coating.
• Even synthetic or composite materials can be susceptible to heat-related softening, increasing the chance of surface damage.

That damage might not be visible right away. But when the first storm rolls in and water starts seeping through, the repair costs add up fast.

How We Inspect Roofs Without Walking Them

Instead of climbing onto your roof, we use drone-assisted technology to complete a detailed and damage-free inspection.

This method gives us:

• Clear, high-resolution views of all roof surfaces
• The ability to spot lifted or damaged shingles, rusted flashing, missing sealants, and pooling water
• A full assessment of gutters, valleys, chimney caps, vent stacks, and more—without putting your roof at risk

If We Need a Closer Look

In cases where we see something concerning on the drone footage—like unusual wear, sagging, or missing materials—we assess whether the roof is safe to access. If it is, we’ll approach the area cautiously and only if necessary. If it’s not, we’ll recommend bringing in a licensed roofing contractor to perform a more invasive evaluation.

The goal is to give you the information you need without creating new problems.

What the Standards Say

According to the InterNACHI Standards of Practice—our industry benchmark—home inspectors are not required to walk on roofs. Inspections should be conducted using safe, non-invasive methods from the ground or with tools like drones or binoculars. At Pine Point, we not only follow that guidance—we’ve built our entire roof inspection process around exceeding it.

Case in Point: What Can Go Wrong

One of our clients in Stillwater recently shared that a prior inspector had walked their cedar shake roof during an inspection. A week later, shingles began to curl and lift from the pressure. That damage wasn’t pre-existing. It was created during the inspection. We were called in to re-evaluate—and did so with a drone. The client got a full report, zero damage, and the clarity they needed to negotiate repairs.

Your Home Deserves Better Than Footprints

A roof is one of the most expensive systems in any home. Treating it with care shouldn’t be optional—it should be the standard. That’s why at Pine Point Property Inspections, we don’t walk your roof unless it’s absolutely necessary and completely safe.

What you get instead is:

• A full visual record of the roof’s condition
• Fast, clear reporting with photo documentation
• A safer inspection process—start to finish

Schedule Your Roof-Safe Inspection

If you’re buying, selling, or maintaining your home and want a thorough inspection without the risk of unnecessary damage, we’re here for you. Schedule your inspection online or give us a call at (651) 383-5252.

We’ll treat your home like it’s our own—and your roof like it should last.