Can an inspector check the roof on an Ottawa house in winter?

Only if conditions allow. Ontario.ca lists the roof among the things a home inspector will typically examine "if they are able and it is safe to do so", and it gives a snow-covered roof as an example of something an inspector may not be able to inspect. In an Ottawa winter, that limit is real.

The federal Office of Consumer Affairs says a report is limited to describing conditions in the areas the inspector can see or has access to. If the roof cannot be seen or safely reached on the day, the report can only say so.

The attic is a separate item on ontario.ca's list, along with insulation and ventilation where visible, so ask the inspector what they will look at inside the house if the roof itself is covered.

Questions to put to the inspector before you book:

• How will the report record the roof if snow prevents a full look?
• What will you look at in the attic?
• If the roof cannot be assessed, is a return visit possible, and at what fee?

Whether your offer allows time for a later look at the roof, or how to handle a roof the inspection could not assess, is a question for your agent or lawyer. Roof repair itself is covered on ottawaroofingpro.ca.

Ontario.ca also says an inspection is not a pass or fail test and comes with no warranty or guarantee on the home's condition, so a roof the inspector could not see stays an open question until someone can.

Ask the inspector, when you book, exactly how a snow-covered roof is written up in their report.