National Home Inspector Practice Exam 2025 - Free Home Inspector Practice Questions and Study Guide

Identifying the age of a roof can be effectively done by evaluating the visible wear along with the manufacturer’s label. This approach allows for a two-fold analysis:

Firstly, visible wear indicates the roof's condition and provides clues about its lifespan. Factors such as curling, cracking, or missing shingles can suggest how long the roof has been exposed to the elements and whether it is nearing the end of its service life.

Secondly, the manufacturer’s label, often found on roofing materials or in the attic, provides concrete information about the specific type of roofing installed, including its age and warranty period. Many manufacturers label their products with an install date or production date, which can help accurately pinpoint when the roof was installed.

Other methods, such as checking neighboring houses, looking for discoloration, or assessing the type of shingles, may provide some context or general understanding of the roof's condition, but they lack the precision and reliability that evaluating both visible wear and the manufacturer's label offers.