West Michigan roof & home renovation · Call or text 616-325-5836
BLUEWATER RENEW · ROOF EVALUATION

What We Look For on Your Roof

Before we apply Roof Shield, we inspect the roof and identify anything that should be repaired, cleaned or addressed first.

Not every roof is a good candidate, and not every homeowner wants to scroll through a lot of photos. So below we show what we check first, and if you want to see examples, you can click each section to open the photos.

A STRAIGHT ANSWER

If something needs repair first, we tell you.

Our goal is to help you understand what we see before any Roof Shield work is recommended. If the roof needs a repair first, or if it is too far gone for rejuvenation, we will say so.

WHAT WE CHECK ON EVERY ROOF

Everyone can see what we do before a Roof Shield job.

You do not have to open every photo section if you do not want to. The list below shows the main items we evaluate on a roof before treatment.

1

Pipe boots & penetrations

We check the boots around plumbing vents and other penetrations for cracks, separation, deterioration and possible water-entry points.

2

Loose, damaged or missing shingles

We look for shingles that are loose, torn, missing, sliding, or poorly repaired so those areas can be addressed before Roof Shield is applied.

3

Granule loss & wear

Granules protect the shingle surface. We check for excessive wear, thin spots and areas where shingles may be too far gone.

4

Moss, algae & black streaks

Moss, lichen, debris and dark streaking can show moisture retention, shade issues and areas that may need attention before treatment.

5

Flashing, valleys & roof transitions

We pay attention to valleys, roof-to-wall areas, chimneys, vent flashing and other places that commonly handle a lot of water.

6

Popped nails & previous repairs

We look for raised fasteners, old patch areas, mismatched shingles and anything else that suggests repairs should be made first.

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS

Example roof conditions we look for

Click each section below to open example photos. These are sample conditions from roof evaluations and are meant to show the types of things we inspect before recommending Roof Shield.

Pipe boots & roof penetrations

One of the most common things we check. Vent-pipe boots often crack or separate as they age.

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These photos show the kinds of vent-pipe and penetration conditions we look for before any treatment is recommended.

Roof vent pipe with newer-looking boot
Sound condition exampleA roof penetration can look serviceable, but we still inspect how well the boot is sealed and how the surrounding shingles are holding up.
Roof vent pipe with worn boot
Worn condition exampleBoots can dry out, weaken or start to separate over time. We look for signs that a repair may be needed first.
Roof vent pipe with cracked boot and worn flashing
Needs attentionCracking, deterioration and failed flashing around a penetration are exactly the types of issues we want to identify before treatment.

Loose, damaged or missing shingles

We look for shingles that are loose, torn, missing, sliding, or poorly repaired before Roof Shield is applied.

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Missing or damaged shingles do not automatically mean the entire roof cannot be treated. We identify these areas so the needed repairs can be made first and the roof is properly protected before Roof Shield is applied.

Roof with several missing shingles and previous repair areas
Clear example of missing shinglesThis roof has several obvious missing-shingle areas along with previous patch work. These are exactly the kinds of items we point out and repair or address before applying Roof Shield.

Granule loss & worn shingles

Granules protect the asphalt below. When too many granules are gone, the shingles may be too far deteriorated for Roof Shield treatment.

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The two photos below are examples of roofs that have lost too much of their protective granule surface and are too far gone for us to treat with Roof Shield. We see this type of wear often during roof evaluations, which is why we check granule loss closely before every application.

Roof surface with visible granule wear
Too far gone for treatmentThis roof has widespread granule loss and surface deterioration. This is an example of a roof we would not recommend treating with Roof Shield.
Close-up of granule loss on asphalt shingles
Another roof too far goneThis close-up shows severe granule loss with much of the protective surface already worn away. We see conditions like this often, and this is why the inspection comes before the Roof Shield application.

Moss, algae, black streaks & organic buildup

Shade, tree cover and trapped moisture can show up as moss growth, debris retention and dark streaking.

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These conditions do not always mean a roof is disqualified, but they are part of the full picture we evaluate before treatment.

Roof with heavy moss growth
Heavy moss buildupMoss can trap moisture, hold debris and affect the condition of the shingle surface below.
Roof with widespread moss and debris
Organic growth and debrisTree cover and long-term moisture can create sections that need cleaning and closer evaluation.
Roof with dark black streaking
Dark streakingWe note staining and black streaks because they can tell us a lot about moisture patterns, shade and roof exposure.
Aerial view of roof with dark discoloration
Overall roof appearanceFrom a distance, discoloration and streaking help us understand how evenly the roof has been weathering.

Other items we inspect before a Roof Shield job

There is more to a roof evaluation than just one or two photos.

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  • Popped nails and exposed fasteners: places where water may be able to enter.
  • Flashing and valleys: areas that move the most water and deserve extra attention.
  • Previous repairs: mismatched shingles, patching and older repair spots.
  • Loose or unsealed shingles: edges or tabs that may be more vulnerable to wind.
  • Overall roof suitability: we consider the full condition of the roof before recommending any treatment.

If you want, we can keep adding more example photos to this page over time.

AGE IS ONLY PART OF THE STORY

Two roofs the same age can be in very different condition.

Things that can help a roof age better

Good installation, proper ventilation, reasonable sun exposure, regular maintenance and quick attention to small repairs can all affect how a roof performs over time.

Things that can age a roof faster

Heavy tree cover, trapped moisture, poor ventilation, storm damage, installation problems, long-term organic growth and neglected repairs can shorten useful roof life.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER WE LOOK

We explain what we found and what makes sense next.

Good Roof Shield candidate

If the roof is suitable, we can discuss any prep work needed, the Roof Shield application and the 5-year transferable warranty.

Repairs should come first

If repairs make sense first, we point them out before treatment instead of ignoring them.

Too far gone

If rejuvenation no longer makes sense for the roof condition, we tell you that honestly.

You get a clearer picture

The evaluation helps you understand the visible condition of your roof and why we recommend the next step.

Safety: These examples are educational. Homeowners should not climb onto a roof to inspect it themselves. BlueWater Renew’s evaluation is focused on visible roof condition and Roof Shield suitability; hidden or structural conditions may require additional investigation.

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