Roofing shingles protect a building’s structure from water intrusion and weather damage. During NSPIRE inspections, shingles are evaluated for their condition, but the standards focus on safety and function rather than cosmetic appearance.

Key Shingle Inspection Points

1. Missing or Damaged Shingles

• The primary recordable defect for shingles is when shingles are missing or damaged to the point that the underlying substrate is exposed.
• The substrate typically includes plywood, OSB, or roofing felt beneath the shingles.
• If shingles are curled, cupped, or losing granules but the substrate remains covered, this is not considered a recordable defect.

2. Common Non-Defective Conditions

• Minor wear at the drip edge or edges of shingles is common and usually does not count as a deficiency.
• Shingles damaged by storms or normal aging that do not expose the substrate also do not require repair for NSPIRE compliance, although replacement may be needed in the near future for long-term roof health.

3. Recordable Defects

• If shingles are missing or severely damaged and the substrate is visible, this is a recordable defect.
• These defects are relatively rare, as HUD has relaxed earlier requirements that flagged any damaged shingles, focusing now on substrate exposure.

Practical Tips for Property Managers

1. Regularly inspect roofs for missing shingles or areas where the substrate is exposed.
2. Document and repair exposed substrate immediately to maintain NSPIRE compliance.
3. Keep in mind that cosmetic damage alone (curled or granule-lost shingles) is not a deficiency, but proactive maintenance is recommended to prevent water damage over time.

Even though NSPIRE inspections only flag shingles that expose the substrate, ongoing roof maintenance is critical to protecting the building and avoiding future structural damage.