Why Spokane roofs hide their problems
The hardest roof damage in Spokane is the kind you can't spot from the sidewalk. Ice dams build up along eaves on the steep-pitched homes around South Hill and Browne's Addition, forcing meltwater backward under shingles where it rots decking quietly for years. Hail from a single summer storm bruises asphalt shingles, knocking off the protective granules that keep UV from cooking the mat - and that bruising is nearly invisible until the granule loss accelerates.
Add in the wind that funnels across the North Side and Five Mile, the constant freeze-thaw cycling that works fasteners loose, and the fact that many homes near Manito Park are old enough to be on their third or fourth roof layer, and you have a recipe for hidden trouble. An inspection puts eyes on the parts of the system that actually fail first.
What we actually check on your roof
Our inspection is hands-on, not a quick glance. On every Spokane home we walk through the full roof system:
- Shingles and granule loss - bruising from hail, curling, cupping, and bald spots that signal the roof is near end of life
- Flashing around chimneys, skylights, and valleys, where most leaks on older downtown-area and South Hill homes actually originate
- Eaves and ice-dam zones - we look for staining, ice-and-water shield gaps, and rotted fascia from past winters
- Ventilation and attic - poor airflow drives ice dams and bakes shingles from below, so we check intake and exhaust balance
- Decking and soft spots, plus pipe boots, vents, and gutters that pull water away from the roofline
You get a clear, photo-backed rundown of what's solid, what to watch, and what needs action - with no pressure to do more than the roof requires.
When you should book an inspection
Most Spokane homeowners wait for a drip in the bedroom ceiling, but the smart times to inspect are before and after our worst weather. Schedule one in late summer or early fall so any repairs are done before snow loads arrive. Book one in spring to catch ice-dam and freeze-thaw damage from the season just past.
You should also inspect after any significant hail or windstorm, before buying or selling a home, when your roof passes the 15-20 year mark, and any time you spot granules collecting in your gutters or downspout splash blocks. Catching a lifted shingle or failing valley early is the difference between a small repair and replacing soaked decking.
How DG approaches the inspection
We've been inspecting and replacing roofs across Spokane County since 2013, and as a GAF Master Elite contractor - a credential held by only the top 2-3% of roofers nationwide - we know exactly what a properly built roof system should look like. That matters during an inspection, because we're comparing what's on your house against the standard we'd install ourselves.
When the roof is in good shape, we'll tell you so. When it needs attention, we explain the why, show you the photos, and lay out your options - a targeted repair versus a full replacement - so the decision is yours. If replacement does make sense, you can read more about our full roof replacement process and what's included.
Materials, options, and what comes next
An inspection often points toward the next decision, so we walk you through the choices that hold up in the Inland Northwest. For most Spokane homes that means architectural asphalt shingles built for wind and hail, paired with the components that prevent ice-dam leaks: ice-and-water shield at the eaves and valleys, proper underlayment, and balanced attic ventilation.
If your inspection leads to a replacement, every job comes with a 15-25 year workmanship warranty, flexible financing options, and the warranty coverage below. We'll match the system to your home's age and pitch - the steep older rooflines around Manito Park and Browne's Addition need a different detailing approach than newer Five Mile builds.
Warranty and peace of mind
Anything we install is backed by our 15-25 year workmanship warranty alongside the GAF Golden Pledge, which covers materials for up to 50 years and workmanship for 25. That combination is something only Master Elite contractors can offer, and it means a roof installed by DG is protected long after the crew leaves.
We're licensed and insured in both Washington and Idaho, family owned and operated, and carry a 5.0-star rating across 288 Google reviews. An inspection is the no-risk first step - you walk away knowing precisely where your roof stands.
