Roof inspections in Cocoa, FL

For an insurer, the inspector fills in the form. The 4-point form's roof section records the covering material, roof age, remaining useful life, date of the last roofing permit, and whether the replacement was full or partial. Overall condition and a damage list go on it too.

• Cracked, cupped or curling shingles on the slopes
• Bare spots where granules have worn away, with asphalt or felt showing
• Missing, loose or cracked tabs or tiles
• Soft spots when the decking is pressed
• Stains or leaks on attic decking and bedroom or kitchen ceilings

Your last permit date matters. Cocoa's online permit list has a separate Reroof permit type, so a past replacement should show up there. Confirm the current permit rules with City of Cocoa Building & Permitting.

Citizens Property Insurance goes by age and material. It wants documentation of at least five years of remaining useful life for shingle roofs older than 25 years, and for tile, slate, clay, concrete or metal roofs older than 50 years. It requires the 4-point inspection for properties more than 20 years old.

Order one before you buy an older house, since 63.5 percent of Cocoa's occupied homes are owner-occupied and roofs change hands with the deed. Order one before you sell, so a buyer's insurer does not raise the roof first. If a letter from your insurer raises the age of your roof, that is the time to order one.

Order one after a storm, too. Hurricane Irma damaged over 7,132 homes in Brevard County, and Hurricane Matthew's damage mostly involved shingles and soffits. Notice of a claim must reach your insurer within 1 year of the date of loss.

A roofer may inspect, but Florida Statute 489.147 bars contractors from offering anything of value for an inspection or from advising on what your policy covers. Questions about what your policy covers belong with your insurer or agent, so call them.