Get matched with top chimney inspectors in Downs, KS

Start by asking friends, family, and neighbors if they know any reliable roof inspectors. You can also ask contractors that you’ve worked with in the past—they often have a network of people they can reach out to. Once you do find a roof inspector you like, check their online presence, read customer reviews, and give them a call. 

Make sure they’re properly licensed and insured in your area. It’s also a good idea to hire inspectors licensed by both the National Roof Certification & Inspection Association (NRCIA) and the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI).

There should be small gaps between your roof and the walls of your home, and other buildings. These small gaps let building materials shift, expand, and contract with weather and other outside forces, and they prevent moisture from wicking down walls from roofing and gutter systems. Without these strategic gaps, your home’s exterior and its finishes can sustain water damage, decay, peel, delaminate, and crack. However, there is a fine line between a smart gap and a problematic gap—all  gaps should be small, intentional, and covered or filled in with foam insulation to prevent pests from using them as access points.

This will depend on your existing roof to some degree, but it’s common to raise a roof 4 to 8 feet. The exact amount you can raise is subject to the existing structure. For most homes with average roof slopes—20 to 45 degrees—you can raise the roof around 5 feet.

Replacing older chimneys or fireplaces, like wood-burning stoves, with something more eco-friendly can actually increase the value of your home. Some homeowners opt to remove chimneys as they pursue LEED certification, which may also increase the value of your home. But in general, many potential buyers actually look for operational fireplaces in homes, so removing a chimney and fireplace could decrease your home’s value by up to $5,000.