The Kind of Inspection Your Roof Actually Needs
Here’s something most people don’t realize until they file their first claim: the inspection is the whole ballgame. Whatever gets documented (or missed) on that first walk of your roof shapes the next several months of your life. If the damage got captured properly, at the right angles, with the right measurements, the claim moves. If something got glossed over or photographed poorly, the carrier has an opening to deny or underpay, and now you’re fighting uphill for coverage you should have gotten easily. As one of the top roofing inspection companies in Westminster, CO, we ensure every detail is documented properly from the start.
We know this because we’ve watched it play out hundreds of times across Westminster. And we’ve built our inspection process specifically to keep homeowners from ending up on the losing end of that dynamic.
I’m one half of the husband-and-wife team behind ATS Exteriors. Rebecca and I have been walking Westminster roofs for the past seven years, backed by more than 15 years of combined roofing experience. Our inspections are free, whether you eventually hire us for the actual repair work or not. That’s not a hook. That’s just how we’ve decided to run our business, because the homeowners who really need this service shouldn’t have to gamble on paying for information they might not use.
What We Actually Look At
Storm damage isn’t just something that happens to shingles. When a real hail cell rolls through Legacy Ridge or a wind event tears down through Walnut Grove, damage shows up across the entire exterior of your home. So that’s what we inspect.
On the roof itself, we walk each slope looking for bruising where hail compressed the shingle mat, granule loss, exposed asphalt, cracked or creased shingles, and any spots where wind has lifted material off the deck. Roof penetrations get their own attention. Chimneys, skylights, plumbing stacks, and vents are almost always where leaks eventually start, and they’re often where hail damage gets missed by inspectors moving too fast.
Then we come off the roof. Gutters and downspouts tell a story about hail size and storm direction. Damaged AC condenser fins, dented fence caps, and cracked outdoor light fixtures back up rooftop findings in a way adjusters take seriously. If your attic is accessible, we check up there too, looking for water staining, active moisture, and any signs the underside of the deck is compromised.
If you notice widespread damage across your exterior, a full roof replacement or siding repair may be required to fully protect your home.
We’ve inspected homes across Broomfield and surrounding areas, plus a heavy volume through Westminster neighborhoods like Legacy Ridge, The Ranch, Standley Lake area, Federal Heights, and everything along the 120th corridor. Different parts of the city catch storms differently, and knowing what typical damage looks like in each area shapes how carefully we look and where.
The Actual Process
We show up with gear that makes a difference. Cameras with macro lenses that capture the depth of impact bruising in a way phone cameras just can’t. Drones for the areas we can’t safely walk. Measuring tools that give us numbers rather than guesses. Tablet-based inspection software that formats everything the way adjusters expect to see it.
A full inspection usually runs 45 to 60 minutes, sometimes longer if the home is large or the damage is significant. That’s roughly three times what most adjusters spend on site. Which is exactly why so much damage gets missed on carrier inspections and needs to be supplemented later.
The Report You Get
Within 24 to 48 hours of the inspection, you’ll have a full digital photo report in your inbox. Organized by roof slope and by component. Written observations on any damage found, including severity and density. Measurements of the affected areas. And a straightforward evaluation of whether we think the damage rises to the level of pursuing further action, or whether your roof is actually in decent shape and there’s no real reason to file.
That honesty piece matters. We tell homeowners just as often that damage is minor and probably not worth the deductible as we tell them the opposite. You deserve accurate information either way.
Why Speed Matters After Storm Events
Hail and wind damage is easiest to link to a specific storm event when it’s documented right after the fact. Wait several months, and the carrier gets room to argue that damage happened during some other event you didn’t file for. Most policies also have a filing deadline, typically one year from the date of loss, so waiting eats into that window.
Beyond that, subsequent storms muddy the picture. A roof inspected the week after hail shows clean, dateable damage. That same roof six months later, after a windy winter and a couple more storms, shows a mix of impacts that’s harder to tie to any one event.
If Westminster has had a major storm in the last few weeks and you haven’t scheduled an inspection yet, don’t put it off.
Why Professional Inspection Beats Going Up There Yourself
Most homeowners can’t safely walk their own roof. So the photos you’d take yourself come from the ground or maybe an upstairs window. That leaves damage on the opposite slope, in valleys, and around penetrations entirely undocumented. Even if you can get up there, a phone camera at ground-level angles just doesn’t capture the depth detail that separates a real hail bruise from cosmetic surface wear.
Professional inspection closes those gaps with actual equipment, training, and a methodology that matches how insurance carriers process claims.
Why Homeowners Around Westminster Choose Us
How Our Insurance Claims Process Works
Get A Roof Inspection By A Trained Ats Professional
File A Claim
Ats Exteriors Meets With The Insurance Adjustor & Provides Assessment
Ats Will Invoice Your Insurance Company And The Depreciation Is Sent To You
All Work Is Scheduled And Completed
Scope And Pricing Are Finalized The Only Thing You Pay Is Your Deductible
Upon Completion Of Construction And Full Payment, You'll Receive The Warranty And Pif Invoice
Frequently Asked Questions
How is your inspection different from what the insurance adjuster does?
Do I have to hire you for the repairs after the inspection?
How soon after a storm should I schedule?
What's actually included in the report?
Can you be there for the adjuster visit?
Get Your Westminster Roof Inspected Before Damage Costs You More
Whether the last storm just rolled through or you’ve been putting off an inspection from an event a few months back, we’d be glad to come take a look. Rebecca and I will get you a full report within 48 hours, and there’s no obligation. Reach out to ATS Exteriors today to schedule.
