Roof Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners (Spring and Fall)

Roofs fail for two reasons: age and neglect. You cannot stop age, but you can prevent almost all neglect-related failure with two 20-minute inspections per year. Those inspections do not require climbing on the roof and they do not require tools more complex than binoculars and a garden hose.

Here is the full semiannual checklist for homeowners.

Spring inspection (March to May)

Spring inspection focuses on winter damage and preparing for summer storms. Do this on a warm, dry day.

Spring step 1: Ground-level roof survey

Walk the full perimeter of the house with binoculars. Look for:

• Missing, lifted, or creased shingles
• Bald spots where granules have worn off
• Sagging ridge or uneven roofline
• Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents, and walls
• Moss or algae growth, especially on north slopes
• Debris caught in valleys (pine needles, leaves, branches)

Photograph any issues and compare against last fall's photos.

Spring step 2: Gutter clean and inspect

Clean out all gutters, removing leaves, needles, and shingle granules. While cleaning, check:

• Gutter attachment brackets (tighten loose ones)
• Gutter slope toward the downspouts
• Downspout connections and extensions
• Amount of shingle granules in the gutter (heavy accumulation = aging roof)

A bucket of granules from one cleaning is normal for a new roof. Two or more buckets means the roof is near end of life.

Spring step 3: Hose test for leaks

With a garden hose on low flow, spray the roof starting from the bottom and working up. Have someone inside the house watch the ceiling and attic for leaks. Start with:

1. Eaves and gutters
2. Walls against the roof
3. Chimney flashing
4. Vent boots
5. Skylights
6. Valleys
7. Ridge

Hose-test one section at a time, 5 minutes each. If you see water inside, you have isolated the leak area.

Spring step 4: Attic inspection

Go into the attic with a flashlight. Look for:

• Water stains on the underside of the decking
• Damp or compressed insulation
• Daylight through any roof penetration
• Mold or mildew (black or white fuzz)
• Rodent or bird nests
• Proper ventilation: you should feel air movement, see clear soffit vents, and see a ridge vent or gable vents working

If your attic feels hot in the morning, ventilation is insufficient. See our homeowner guide to roof ventilation.

Spring step 5: Trim trees

Branches should be at least 6 to 10 feet from the roof surface. Trim back any that are closer. Branches that touch the roof scrape shingles, trap moisture, and drop debris into valleys.

Fall inspection (September to November)

Fall inspection prepares the roof for winter weather. Do this after the last major leaf drop.

Fall step 1: Repeat the ground survey

Same as spring: binoculars, perimeter walk, photograph issues. Compare to spring photos to spot changes.

Fall step 2: Second gutter clean

The fall gutter cleaning is the more critical of the two because clogged gutters in winter cause ice dams. Clean thoroughly, and if you have a lot of trees, consider gutter guards. Gutter guards run $5 to $15 per linear foot installed.

Fall step 3: Inspect caulk and sealants

With binoculars or a close look from a ladder at the eaves (do not climb onto the roof), check:

• Caulk around flashing and penetrations
• Sealant around chimney flashing
• Pipe boot rubber collars (cracks are the #1 source of residential roof leaks)
• Window flashing on dormers

Cracked caulk or dry-rotted rubber boots are a 30-minute DIY fix if accessible, or a $150 to $400 service call.

Fall step 4: Attic ventilation check

Before winter, confirm:

• Soffit vents are not blocked by insulation
• Ridge vent or gable vents are clear
• Attic is dry (no condensation on rafters)
• Any bathroom or kitchen exhaust fans vent OUTSIDE the attic, not into it

Kitchen or bath fans that terminate in the attic pump warm moist air into a cold space, causing condensation and mold.

Fall step 5: Schedule snow removal plan (cold climates)

In snowy climates, you need a plan for:

• Roof rake for clearing snow from the eaves after heavy storms
• A contractor for ice dam removal if dams form
• Heated cables for chronic ice dam zones

Clearing 3 to 4 feet of snow from the eaves after each heavy storm prevents most ice dams.

Monthly quick checks

Between semiannual inspections, do a 2-minute visual from the ground after any major weather event:

1. Look for fresh debris in the yard
2. Scan the ridge with binoculars for lifted or missing caps
3. Check gutters for new granule accumulation
4. Peek into the attic if there was a heavy rain

This takes under 5 minutes total and catches most storm damage while a claim is still viable.

What to DIY and what to hire out

TaskDIY or hire?Cost if hired Gutter cleaning (single-story)DIY if comfortable on ladder$100 to $200 Gutter cleaning (two-story)Hire for safety$150 to $300 Tree trimmingHire for large branches$200 to $1,500 Attic inspectionDIYFree Sealant / caulk repairDIY if accessible$150 to $400 Pipe boot replacementHire (on roof)$200 to $500 Flashing repairHire$300 to $1,500 Moss removalHire (chemicals + roof work)$400 to $1,500 Ice dam removalHire (steam, not hammers)$300 to $1,500 Annual professional inspectionOptional hire$150 to $400

Red flags that mean call a pro NOW

1. Active interior leak
2. Daylight visible through the roof deck
3. Multiple missing shingles after a storm
4. Sagging roofline
5. Water in the attic
6. Ice dam more than 4 inches thick

For bigger issues, check our when to repair vs replace a roof guide.

What NOT to do

• Do not pressure wash shingles: strips granules
• Do not walk on the roof more than necessary: accelerates wear
• Do not use chemical moss killers not rated for asphalt shingles: can void warranty
• Do not hammer ice dams: can damage shingles
• Do not paint flashing: hides corrosion and voids warranty

Annual cost of good maintenance

If you DIY the checklists and hire out the tree trimming and one gutter cleaning:

• Tree trimming (every 2 to 3 years): $200 to $800 averaged annually
• Gutter cleaning (annual hire): $150
• Occasional sealant and boot repair: $150 to $400 as needed

Total: $300 to $700 per year.

That buys you 5 to 10 years of additional roof life on a $15,000 roof. The ROI is absurd.

FAQ

Q: Should I have a contractor inspect every year?
A: Not required, but a $150 professional inspection every 3 to 5 years catches issues you will miss from the ground. Many contractors offer free inspections for customers they installed for.

Q: How do I know if moss or algae is hurting the roof?
A: Algae is cosmetic and does not shorten roof life on modern algae-resistant shingles. Moss is a real problem because it lifts shingle edges. Remove moss, ignore algae.

Q: Is there a smart device that monitors my roof?
A: Not really yet. Water leak sensors in the attic ($20 to $60 each) are the closest thing. Place one near each penetration and near any past leak spot.