FREE ROOF + ATTIC VISIT

SmartMatch™ Needs Analysis: What We Inspect on Your Seattle Roof

Free roof + attic visit. We show you what we check before we sell.

Seattle roofs take rain, moss, and wind year-round. Before anyone sells you a roof, you deserve a clear look at what’s actually going on — outside and in the attic where it’s safe to enter.

SmartMatch™ is RoofSmart’s free visit: we walk the exterior, check the accessible attic, and explain what we see in plain English. If you don’t need a new roof, we say so. Optional instruments (leak, infrared, smoke) are only when scoped — not assumed.

See How SmartMatch™ Works Call (206) 487-4877

RoofSmart technician inspecting asphalt shingles on a Greater Seattle residential roof during a SmartMatch Needs Analysis

WHAT IT IS

What SmartMatch™ is (and isn’t)

Free overview of your roof and attic so you can decide — repair, replace, ventilate, or wait — with eyes open.

Free roof + attic overview

Exterior walk, attic where safe and accessible, venting notes, condition scales, and a best-estimate life band — documented on our field form.

Not a full home inspection

Roofing-focused needs analysis for decision-making. Not a substitute for a licensed home inspector’s full property report.

Not a warranty on findings

No warranties or guarantees on inspected components. Opinion limited to the day and time of the analysis.

Not every instrument every visit

Leak, infrared, and smoke tests are optional and paid unless explicitly included. We say so up front.

Want the story side of SmartMatch™? Read how we personalize the match in our Learning Center posts below.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Three simple steps

Book or call

Reach us at (206) 487-4877 when you want a free SmartMatch™ visit. We’ll set a time that works for both of us — no “this week only” pressure.

We visit

An estimator walks the exterior roof and, where safe and accessible, the attic. We note venting, flashings, and condition — and we tell you what we see.

You get a plain-English findings sheet

You leave with a clear read: repair vs replace vs monitor, what’s optional testing, and what we’d do next if anything. If you don’t need a new roof, we say so.

Prefer reading first? See how SmartMatch™ works.

EXTERIOR ROOF

Outside the roof — what we check

On the exterior we look at layers and substrate clues, aging and damage on the covering, fascia at the eaves and gables, flashings and penetrations, chimney components, venting red flags, and home signs that often track roof or attic issues (ceiling stains, ghosting, and the like). Greater Seattle weather makes moss, granule loss, and failed flashings common — we document what we actually see.

Show full exterior checklist

Layers & substrate

We note how many layers are on the roof, what the substrate appears to be from accessible edges and clues, and the highest / lowest pitch plus reported age when the homeowner knows it. Layer count matters for code and for whether a recover is even in play; substrate clues matter for how the deck will behave under a new system.

General conditions

We look for debris on the roof, physical or structural damage visible from outside, rot at edges and adjacent wood, obsolete satellite dishes, and solar arrays that affect access or flashing. None of these alone diagnoses the whole roof — they are context for the rest of the walk.

Visible deterioration

On asphalt roofs, aging rarely hides forever. We document curling or cupping, cracking or crumbling, fish mouth openings at lapped edges, brittleness, excess granule loss, exposed asphalt, loose tabs, nail pops, missing shingles, hail or ice damage, moss and vegetation, prior repairs, and any visible framing defect at the edge. In a wet climate, granule loss and moss often accelerate UV and moisture wear; fish mouth and nail pops open paths for water under the shingle.

Fascia (eave & gable)

Fascia is the board at the eaves and gables where gutters attach and rafter ends are finished. We note whether it is naked, covered or wrapped, painted, rotted, missing, or warped — all common telltales that water has been working the edge for a while.

Defective flashings

Flashings seal joints and penetrations. We check chimney, wall, soil-pipe and other penetrations, and whether eave, gable, or valley flashing appears missing. In Seattle, failed step flashing and valley details are frequent leak sources long before the field of shingles looks “done.”

Unacceptable venting flags

We flag venting that is not present, or problems at ridge, gable, can, soffit, RTW/headwall, power, or hip vents — plus short circuit, not baffled, mixed exhaust, open to vermin, plugged or blocked, and turbine issues. A common residential code target is a 1/150 Net Free Area ratio with balanced intake and exhaust: enough open vent area relative to attic floor area, with low intake and high exhaust working together so air flushes the attic instead of stalling. We explain that ratio in plain English on site and measure against your attic — this page does not claim your house meets code without that visit.

Unacceptable chimney components

Chimneys get their own checklist: base flashing, counterflashing, mortar joints, flue damage, spalling brick, cracked cap, and crumbling masonry. Moisture and freeze–thaw punish masonry on PNW roofs; a cracked cap or failed counterflashing can wet the chase while the field of shingles still looks serviceable.

Home signs that often track roof / attic issues

Inside the living space (where visible), we note ceiling stains or wet ceilings, condensation, ghosting, mold, popping drywall seams or nails, gutter / siding / soffit damage, drip or tar stains, and lathe-and-plaster cracks. These are clues that often track roof or attic moisture — not automatic proof of a failed roof by themselves.

ATTIC / INTERIOR

Inside the attic — what we check

Where the attic is safe to enter, we look for moisture and rot clues, daylight through the deck, insulation type and depth, intake vs exhaust notes, and — when measured — temperature and humidity. A damp or poorly vented Seattle attic can shorten roof life even when the shingles still look fair from the curb.

Show full attic checklist

Signs of deterioration

We document leaks and stains, rusty nails, rotted wood, mold, broken rafters, infestation, direct light visible through the deck, delamination, fungal growth, and crystallization. Daylight through the sheathing is a clear signal the covering or deck has an opening; rusty nails and staining often mark chronic moisture.

Attic temperature & humidity

When we measure them, we record attic temperature and humidity. Sustained high relative humidity raises mold and wood-damage risk; temperature swings stress the covering from below.

Existing intake / exhaust notes

We note what intake and exhaust already exist — soffit, ridge, cans/static, turbines, power vents, and how they relate — before talking corrective options.

Venting corrective actions commonly discussed

Depending on findings, conversations often include more intake, baffles, attic bypass, cans/static vents, turbines, power vents, baffled ridge, and proper routing of bath-fan or kitchen-range vents so exhaust leaves the building instead of dumping into the attic.

Insulation type, depth & estimated R-value

We note insulation type (batt, blown, foam, cellulose, or other), depth in inches, and an estimated R-value. The form carries a code note of R-49 (38) as context for common attic insulation targets — not a guarantee that every home must match a single number without local AHJ nuance. See the R-value-per-inch reference later on this page.

Heat source in the attic

We flag furnace equipment and ducting in the attic when present. Conditioned or leaky ducts change how heat and moisture move under the roof deck.

OPTIONAL — PAID UNLESS INCLUDED

Optional testing

Unless paid for, not all tests will necessarily be performed. A free SmartMatch™ visit is a thorough visual and accessible-areas overview. Leak / moisture, infrared, and smoke tests are scoped when needed — not automatic.

Leak testing / moisture intrusion

Targeted checks when a leak path needs confirmation beyond visual clues.

Infrared / temperature gauge

Ridge and soffit expected vs actual temperatures, plus IR scan notes when used.

Smoke test

Patterns we may note: none, soffit exhaust, slow ridge exhaust, backfeeding, or stagnant airflow.

Moisture reading

Field-form guidance target: less than 40% relative humidity (RH) — that is attic air humidity %, not a mystery meter scale on wood or shingles.

If you need IR, smoke, or formal moisture mapping, say so when you book so we can scope it honestly — rather than assuming every free analysis includes every instrument.

OVERALL ASSESSMENT

How we score what we see

We score the exterior roof and the attic under the roof on the same five condition bands, from excellent protection to immediate threats. Separately, we record a best-estimate roof-life band as inspector opinion for that day — not a warranty.

Show condition scales and life bands

Condition scales

Band 1

Excellent Protection — Good as New

Band 2

Good Protection — Slight Aging

Band 3

Poor Protection — Needs Replacing

Band 4

Very Poor — Beyond Serviceable Life

Band 5

Immediate Threats

The form also has a free-text field for current significant problems that put the home at risk — field notes written for your situation on the day of the visit.

Best estimate of roof life bands

We record a best-estimate roof-life band as inspector opinion for your edification.

None

No remaining serviceable life

1–2 years

Near-term planning window

3–5 years

Monitor and maintain

5+ years

Longer remaining service

These bands are limited to the day and time of the analysis. They are not a warranty, not a manufacturer lifespan claim, and not a marketing promise in our CTAs.

DIG DEEPER

How we install and stand behind the work

After the analysis, the next questions are usually process, price range, and warranty. Start there — then book when you’re ready.

Egghead Installation Process Transparent Pricing

PROOF

Warranty and what homeowners say

See how we stand behind the work, then read real homeowner reviews.

TripleGuard™ Warranty Read Homeowner Reviews

SCOPE & HONESTY

Scope & honesty disclaimer

Be advised that this analysis is confined to visual and accessible areas only. Inspectors shall not inspect any area of the property considered dangerous or hazardous to their safety or health. The purpose of this analysis is to give you an overview of the general condition of various systems in the property, both structurally and component-wise. Be advised that warranties and guarantees are not given on any inspected components. The analysis is limited to the day and time of inspection, and RoofSmart shall not be liable for future malfunctions of any components. This document states the inspector’s opinion for your edification. Unless paid for, not all tests will necessarily be performed.

Show ventilation (NFA) reference tables

Net Free Area (NFA) is the actual open area of a vent that lets air move — not the hole you see in a brochure photo. Intake (low) and exhaust (high) both need enough NFA, and they need to work together. The tables below are the same reference charts printed on our SmartMatch™ form. They teach vocabulary and typical product ratings; they are not a DIY calculator that proves your house meets code. Actual house math happens on analysis.

Low vents — intake NFA

Vent type	NFA
16" × 8" soffit	56 sq in per vent
16" × 6" soffit	42 sq in per vent
16" × 4" soffit	29 sq in per vent
2×4 Screen Vent	56 sq in per lf
2×6 Screen Vent	78 sq in per lf
Continuous Soffit Vent	9 sq in per lf
Drip Edge Vent	9 sq in per lf
Perf. Aluminum Soffit	8 sq in per lf
2" round holes	3 sq in per hole
2" × 4" × 22-1/2" Oval slot	36 sq in per block
2" × 6" × 22-1/2" Oval slot	36 sq in per block

High vents — exhaust NFA

Vent type	NFA
FilterVent	18 sq in per lf
Cor-A-Vent	16 sq in per lf
ShingleVent II	18 sq in per lf
RTW Vent	9 sq in per lf
Roof Cap Plastic	50 sq in per vent
Roof Cap Metal	38 sq in per vent
Wind Turbine	112 sq in ea
Power Vent	Varies

Remember the plain-English code note from the form: a common target is 1/150 with balanced intake and exhaust. We apply that to your attic on site — we do not declare that a reader’s house meets code from this page alone.

Show insulation R-value per inch

Estimated R-value per inch of common attic insulation types (from our field form):

Insulation type	R-value per inch
Batt rolled fiberglass	2.9 – 3.8
Blown fiberglass	2.2 – 2.9
Foam	5.6 – 8.0
Cellulose	3.1 – 3.8

Depth × per-inch R gives a rough estimated R-value. The form’s code note R-49 (38) is context for common attic targets — not a promise that every SmartMatch™ visit will bring your attic to a specific R-number, and not a substitute for local code / AHJ requirements.

Show glossary of roofing terms

Definitions adapted from our SmartMatch™ field form (light typo cleanup only). Useful when you are reading a report or comparing bids.

Asphalt

A mixture of dark bituminous pitch with sand or gravel, used for surfacing roads, flooring, roofing, etc.

Cupping

Shingles forming a concave or upward-curled shape from moisture imbalance.

Baffles

Provide a channel for air to flow through certain parts of the attic. Baffles are also called wind baffles, venting, chutes, rafter vents, or insulation baffles. Typically made from polyvinyl chloride, rigid foam board, or cardboard, they can be installed with a few staples.

Condensation

Excess moisture on the inside of windows in a home or underside of an attic, caused by excessive moisture in the house; often occurs in the winter when the warm air inside the house condenses on the cold windows.

Cracking shingles

Drying and shrinking of asphalt shingles can cause craze-cracking. Craze-cracking appears as random cracking in the shingle’s weather surface leading to a lack of protection.

Curling shingles

Uplifting of asphalt shingles due to the lack of attic ventilation causing unnecessary stress on your shingles, which shortens the roofing material’s lifespan.

Damage

Tangible damage to a property that materially adversely affects the use, marketability, or value of the property.

Delamination

Separation of the thin sheets of wood that had been glued together to form plywood. With its numerous layers, plywood is prone to delamination if plywood is overheated or remains wet over long periods of time. Delaminated plywood has lost its strength and ability to hold a nail.

Fascia

A wood board; it is the parallel edge that is connected to the ends of the trusses or rafters. It’s also where the gutters are attached and the eave rafters supported.

Fish mouth

A half-cylindrical or half-conical shaped opening or void in a lapped shingle edge.

Flashing

Thin piece of metal or rubber that acts as a sealer in between the joints or protrusions through the roof.

Ghosting

The slow buildup of air-borne dust, dirt, and soot particles on walls or ceilings.

Gutter

A trough at the eave, or lower edge of the roof, that catches the water runoff and funnels it to a drain.

Granule loss

Protective mineral coating wearing off shingles, accelerating UV damage and aging.

Nail pop

Nails working their way out bring the shingle up with them; water penetration under the shingle can occur, or strong winds can blow the shingle off the roof.

Rafter

One of several internal beams extending from the eaves to the peak of a roof, constituting its structural support framework.

Ridge

The peak of the roof.

Rot

A fungal infection that “eats” wood, resulting in its disintegration. Like cancer for wood.

Shingle

Typically, a mixture of fiberglass mat saturated with an asphalt and thickener such as limestone, then coated with rock granules.

Slope

The rise over run; denotes the steepness or angle of the roof. E.g. 4/12 = 4 inches up for every 12 inches horizontal.

Soffit

The material forming a ceiling from the top of an exterior house wall to the outer edge of the roof.

Soil pipe

Sewage pipe projecting through the roof to vent the toilet.

Structural damage

Any type of damage that affects the core integrity of your home, especially your roof and load-bearing walls.

Truss

A structural framework of timbers designed to bridge the space above a room and to provide support for a roof. May contain rafters.

Thermal shock

Rapid temperature swings that force shingles to expand and contract, causing cracks or splits.

Ice & water shield

Self-adhering waterproof membrane at eaves, valleys, and penetrations that blocks ice dams and wind-driven rain.

Underlayment

Protective layer between the roof decking and the shingles.

Sheathing / decking

The (typically) wood layer the roofing materials are nailed to.

Counterflashing

Upper flashing embedded in the chimney or wall that covers the base flashing.

Spalling

Brick or masonry surface flaking from moisture and freeze–thaw cycles.

Attic bypass

Allows ventilation to go past obstruction.

Backfeeding

Exhaust air pulled back into the attic or living space instead of exiting.

Short-circuiting

Intake and exhaust placed so air only moves a short distance instead of flushing the attic.

Relative humidity

Moisture level in attic air; sustained high levels raise mold and damage risk.

Ventilation

The mechanism through which your home, attic, and roof evacuate excess heat and moisture.

Net Free Area (NFA)

Actual open area of a vent that allows airflow, not its physical size.

COMMON QUESTIONS

FAQs

What’s included, what’s optional, and what SmartMatch™ is not.

What is a SmartMatch™ Needs Analysis?

It is RoofSmart’s free protocol that documents exterior roof, attic, venting, flashings and chimney, overall condition bands, and a best-estimate life band. It is limited to visual and accessible areas unless optional tests are paid for.

Is the SmartMatch™ Needs Analysis a home inspection?

No. It is a roofing-focused needs analysis for edification and decision-making — not a substitute for a licensed home inspector’s full property report.

What exterior roof problems do you look for?

Layers and substrate, visible deterioration (curling, fish mouth, granule loss, and related signs), fascia, flashings, venting red flags, chimney components, and related home signs such as ceiling stains and ghosting.

What do you check in the attic?

Moisture, mold, and rot signs; light through the deck; insulation type and depth; intake and exhaust; and, when measured, temperature and humidity.

What does “1/150 balanced intake and exhaust” mean?

It is a common code ratio for attic ventilation Net Free Area, with intake (low) and exhaust (high) working together so air flushes the attic. We explain it in plain language and measure against your attic on site — this page does not claim your house meets code without that visit.

Which tests cost extra?

Leak/moisture testing, infrared/temperature mapping, and smoke tests are not always included unless paid for. The free analysis is the visual and accessible-areas overview; instruments are scoped when needed. When a moisture reading is taken, the form guidance is a target of less than 40% relative humidity (RH) for attic air humidity — not a proprietary wood-moisture meter scale.

Does the analysis guarantee my roof or come with a warranty on findings?

No. Warranties and guarantees are not given on inspected components. The document states the inspector’s opinion for your edification and is limited to the day and time of the analysis.

How do I book a SmartMatch™ Needs Analysis?

Call (206) 487-4877 to talk through a free SmartMatch™ Needs Analysis, or use the Instant Estimate link at the bottom of this page when you want a starting range online. No date promises.

Tailored Roofing Solutions Call (206) 487-4877

Why we offer more than one brand

Many roofers sell one material or one manufacturer, so they arrive with the answer already picked. We install composition shingle, metal, flat and low-slope, and custom roofs, and we work with Owens Corning, GAF and CertainTeed. The SmartMatch™ Needs Analysis is how we narrow those options to what fits your home, your taste and your budget.

Our manufacturer credentials: Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, GAF Certified Plus, and CertainTeed ShingleMaster PREMIER.

When the roof doesn't match the home

“Why we publish the checklist: homeowners deserve to see the same protocol we use in the field — exterior, attic, venting, condition bands, and honest limits — before anyone asks them to buy a roof.”

Jim Singleterry, founder of RoofSmart

Curious who's behind the protocol? See our credentials and where we've been featured.

Ready for a starting range?

When you want an online starting point for a replacement or repair, use Instant Estimate. Prefer to talk first? Call us.

Get a Free Instant Estimate Call (206) 487-4877

(206) 487-4877

RoofSmart — Meticulous Roofing Nerds — Greater Seattle, the Eastside, and South King County.
License: ROOFS**797BK