Still, it’s wild how insurance companies expect us to know all this stuff. A checklist would be a lifesaver... or at least save me from another hour-long phone call trying to explain what “proper fastener pattern” means.
Yeah, I hear you. I didn’t realize how picky they’d get about the details until my last renewal—got a “recommendation” letter about exposed nails and “insufficient sealant.” Had to Google half the terms. Honestly, who’s double-checking nail patterns unless they’ve had shingles blow off before? Out of curiosity, did your inspector actually get up on the roof or just look from the ground? Mine barely glanced at it and still flagged stuff...
Honestly, who’s double-checking nail patterns unless they’ve had shingles blow off before?
Totally get this. I only learned about “fastener patterns” after a windstorm took out a chunk of my roof a couple years back. Inspector actually climbed up there with a flashlight and started counting nails—felt like an exam I didn’t study for. It’s wild how much they care about stuff you can’t even see from the ground. The kicker? My neighbor got a lower rate just because his inspector barely looked at his roof... luck of the draw, I guess.
That’s exactly how I felt the first time I had an inspection after a storm. I remember thinking, “Is this really necessary?” but after seeing how much it mattered for insurance, I get it now. It’s kind of wild that two houses side by side can get totally different rates just based on how closely someone looks. Feels a bit unfair, honestly, but at least you caught it before things got worse. Those hidden details really do make a difference, even if it’s a pain to deal with in the moment.
It’s kind of wild that two houses side by side can get totally different rates just based on how closely someone looks.
That’s always baffled me too. Have you noticed if the inspector actually pointed out specific things, like flashing or shingle type? I’ve seen minor stuff—like a missing drip edge—change the whole outcome. Makes me wonder how consistent these inspections really are...
I’ve actually had two different inspectors look at my roof in the same year, and they didn’t agree on a few things. One flagged the lack of kick-out flashing, the other didn’t even mention it. It’s odd how subjective some of these calls are... I guess it comes down to how thorough (or picky) the inspector is that day.
