How to inspect the roof from the ground or a ladder
Inspect your roof at least twice a year, in spring and fall, and after any severe storm. To inspect a roof from the ground, use binoculars, or work from a ladder at the eaves. Look for missing, curling or split shingles, loose flashing, debris in valleys and stains inside. Call a roofer for anything you can't explain.
Roof inspection checklist: what to look for from a safe spot
Roofs tend to leak at their details first. From a safe spot, you're looking at three things: the roofing itself, the metal flashing where the roof meets a chimney, vent or wall, and anything that stops water draining off.
Professional Roofing, the magazine of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), reports that NRCA advises a check at least twice a year, preferably spring and fall, plus extra checks after hurricanes, tornadoes and hailstorms. On steep roofs, much of the job can be done from the ground or from a ladder at the edge. NRCA advises homeowners not to walk on a roof unless they have the training and equipment to do it safely.
What you look for depends on the material. Asphalt shingles show age through curling, splitting and dislodged tabs. Tile, slate, wood and metal shingles show it through cracked, broken or missing pieces.
How to inspect a roof from the ground, step by step
- Pick a dry, bright day
Skip the check if there's ice or snow. If you use a ladder, set it on firm, level ground and stay at the eaves.
- Walk the whole perimeter
Use binoculars and view each slope from more than one angle. Damage on the far side of a ridge is easy to miss.
- Scan the roofing surface
Work slope by slope, looking for gaps, lifted edges and patches that look different from their neighbors.
- Follow every roof opening
Look at flashing around chimneys, skylights, vent pipes and dormers. It should sit tight, since loose flashing stops doing its job.
- Check how water leaves
Look for debris in valleys and gutters, and see if any gutter has pulled away or sagged.
- Go up to the attic
On a bright day, look at the underside of the roof boards for stains or pinpoints of light. Then check the top-floor ceilings.
- Log what you saw
Write the date and the location of anything odd so you can compare next season.
Signs of roof damage and what each one means
| What you see | What it likely means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Missing or shifted shingles | Wind or storm damage has opened a gap | Book a roofer before the next heavy rain |
| Curling, buckling or splitting across a slope | Asphalt shingles are deteriorating | Ask a roofer how much life is left |
| Bald patches on shingles | Protective granules have come off, and the shingle can crack | Note the spot and have it checked |
| Loose or rusted flashing, or missing caulk | Water can get in at a chimney, vent or skylight | Have a licensed pro repair it |
| Leaves piled in valleys and gutters | Water slows and can back up under the roof edge | Clear gutters from a ladder, never from the roof |
| Algae or moss stains | Surface growth to keep an eye on | Don't pressure wash asphalt shingles, which can harm the granules |
| Sagging gutter or valley | Something underneath may have failed | Call a roofer |
| Attic stains or a new mark on a ceiling | A current or past leak | Call a roofer, and bring photos |
When a DIY roof inspection means calling a roofer
Photograph what you found, with the date, from the same spots each time. Those pictures show a roofer what changed, and they help if you file a storm claim. Ask your insurer what it needs, since policies differ.
A roof that looks fine from the ground can still be letting water in. Water backing up from clogged gutters can damage the wood under the shingles before anything shows indoors, so treat a new ceiling mark as a roof problem until a roofer says otherwise.
Stop and call a licensed roofer when:
- Water is coming into the house.
- Part of the roofline sags or dips.
- The fix needs someone standing on the roof, including any shingle or flashing repair.
- The roof has ice or snow on it. Stay off it and leave the work until conditions are safe.
What homeowners say about how to inspect a roof from the ground
Look for curled shingles and shingles that have lost their granules. Owners and roofers call those early signs that the whole roof is near the end. Also check that the rubber boots around vent pipes are still soft and not cracked. (DIY Stack Exchange)
How often to inspect a roof, and other questions
How often should I inspect my roof?
NRCA's advice is at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall. Add a check after severe weather such as a hailstorm, tornado or hurricane.
Is it safe to walk on my roof to check it?
NRCA advises against it unless you have the right training and equipment. A ground or ladder check covers most of what a homeowner needs to see, and a roofer can do the rest.
Can I pressure wash my shingles to clean them?
No. IKO, a shingle maker, warns against using a pressure washer on asphalt shingles because it can harm the granules and shorten the roof's life. Ask a roofer about stains you want removed.
Sources: professionalroofing.net, iko.com, support.shelterinsurance.com
General guidance for U.S. homes, not professional advice. For gas, electrical and structural work, call a licensed pro.