What our free inspection includes
DeHart's free roof inspection is a real inspection — not a sales visit disguised as one. A trained crew member accesses your roof by ladder or with drone assist for steep-slope roofs, and works through the following systematically:
- Ridge and hip condition. Signs of lifting, cracking, or separation that allow water to track under the cap shingles.
- Shingle, tile, or metal surface. Granule loss, cupping, curling, cracking, and wear that indicate remaining service life.
- Valley integrity and sealant. High-wear zones where two roof planes meet — checked for membrane breaches and exposed felt.
- Flashing at chimneys, skylights, vents, and walls. All transition points — the most common source of leaks on Central Valley roofs.
- Pipe boot condition. Rubber or lead boots around plumbing penetrations crack in Stanislaus County heat. Degraded boots are the leading cause of ceiling stains on 10-20 year old roofs.
- Gutter and downspout attachment. Sagging, loose, or missing sections that allow water to pool at the fascia and cause rot.
- Fascia and soffit condition. Rot, gaps, and pest damage that allow moisture and animals into the attic space.
- Attic ventilation. Intake and exhaust ratio checked for adequacy — poor ventilation traps heat and moisture that accelerate shingle aging and cause deck rot from the inside out.
- Moisture intrusion and deck damage. Soft spots in the decking, visible staining, and any signs of active or historic mold.
- Interior signs of leaks (when accessible). If you show us a stained ceiling or damp attic space, we factor it into our assessment. Matching interior symptoms to exterior conditions leads to better diagnosis.
What you get: written report with photos
Within 24 hours of the inspection, you get a written report with photographs of every area we assessed. The report is structured in three tiers:
- Needs attention now. Conditions that will cause damage or leaks within the current season if not addressed.
- Monitor within 1-2 years. Areas showing wear that aren't urgent today but should be addressed before the next replacement cycle.
- In good condition. Areas that are performing as expected with no near-term concerns.
The report is yours to keep. You can share it with your insurance company, your real estate agent, another contractor, or just file it for your records. There is no obligation to hire us — and no follow-up pressure if you decide not to.
Why we offer the inspection free
We get asked this. The honest answer: it's how a local family roofing company earns trust over time. The Espindola family — owners of DeHart since 2026, and of Econo Roofing since 1996 — built both businesses the same way. Show up, do the work honestly, give the customer real information, and let them decide. That model has worked for 30 years at Econo and it's the model we run at DeHart.
We don't need to pressure you into a job you don't need. When your roof does need work — repair, replacement, or maintenance — you'll remember the contractor who gave you a straight inspection with no strings attached.
What to expect — scheduling and process
Scheduling is simple and fast:
- Request online or call (209) 667-7737. We typically schedule inspections within 1-2 business days of your request.
- Inspection day. Plan for 45-90 minutes on-site. The inspector accesses the roof, works through the checklist, takes photos, and talks through any immediate concerns with you before leaving.
- Written report within 24 hours. Delivered digitally — email, PDF — with the photo documentation attached.
- Follow-up call if you want it. If you have questions about the report, call us. If you don't want follow-up, we won't reach out unless you ask.
When to schedule a free roof inspection
Most Stanislaus County homeowners wait too long. Here are the right trigger points for scheduling an inspection:
- After a significant storm. Wind events, hail, and heavy rain can cause damage that isn't visible from the ground — lifted flashings, cracked pipe boots, displaced shingles — and that leads to interior damage at the next rain event.
- Before listing your home for sale. A pre-listing inspection lets you address known issues before they show up on a buyer's inspection. Sellers who disclose proactively control the conversation; sellers who get surprised by a buyer's inspector lose negotiating leverage.
- Before you buy a home. A general home inspection covers the roof at a surface level. DeHart's roofing-specific inspection goes deeper and gives you a written condition report that supports price negotiation or repair credits from the seller.
- When you suspect a leak. Interior ceiling stains, musty attic smell, or visible daylight in the attic are all signs worth investigating immediately — before the next weather event.
- Every 5-7 years for roofs over 10 years old. Stanislaus County's climate — 100°F+ summers, UV exposure, occasional heavy winter rain — ages roofing materials faster than cooler coastal climates. Proactive inspection catches problems while they're still repair-level, not replacement-level.
- Post-purchase due diligence. If you purchased a home without a roofing-specific inspection, schedule one within the first year. It establishes a baseline condition record and lets you budget for anything that needs attention.
Real estate roof certifications
Buying or selling? DeHart provides roof certifications for real estate transactions. We inspect, document, and issue a certified written report that satisfies most lender and buyer requirements. The certification states the current condition of the roof and our assessment of remaining service life.
Real estate certifications are typically needed when a home inspector notes roof concerns, when a lender requires a specialist's report as a condition of the loan, or when a buyer wants documentation before waiving inspection contingencies. Call us — we understand real estate timelines and can turn the report quickly.
Why choose DeHart for your inspection
- No upsell pressure. We've already said it, but it bears repeating: the written report you get is yours. We will not follow up with repeated calls or offer "limited time" discounts to pressure a sale. If you want to get competing bids, use our report for that — we actively encourage it.
- Report you can share with anyone. The written inspection report is not proprietary to DeHart. Share it with your insurance company, your real estate agent, or another contractor for a second opinion. Honest documentation serves you.
- 50 years of Stanislaus County roofing. DeHart has been inspecting and replacing roofs in this county since 1975. Under Espindola family ownership since 2026, our inspectors work to the same standards as Econo Roofing — OC Platinum Preferred, GAF Master Elite certified.
- Drone documentation available. For steep-slope roofs or roofs with accessibility constraints, we use drone photography to document hard-to-reach areas that a ladder inspection can't safely reach.
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Other services
DeHart Roofing also provides roof replacement, roof repair, storm damage repair, roof maintenance, emergency roof repair, and gutters & flashing across Turlock, Modesto, and the Central Valley. Sister brand Econo Roofing serves the broader Central Valley.
Service area — free roof inspection
We provide service across the Stanislaus County corridor: