You do not need a ladder to learn a lot about your roof. Twice a year, and after any big storm, walk through this list. It takes about 20 minutes and catches most problems while they are still cheap.

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Step 1: Walk around the house

From the yard, with binoculars or a phone camera zoomed in, look for:

Missing, cracked or curling shingles

Shingles that look lifted or out of line along ridges and edges

Dark streaks, moss or algae on shaded slopes

A roofline that dips or sags

Debris sitting in valleys

Step 2: Check gutters and downspouts

Granules collecting in the gutters or at downspout outlets (a sign shingles are wearing)

Gutters pulling away from the fascia or sagging between hangers

Downspouts that drain right next to the foundation

Leaves and debris clogging the gutters

Step 3: Look at flashing and anything that goes through the roof

From the ground, check:

Flashing around the chimney and where the roof meets a wall

Rubber boots around plumbing vents (cracks show as dark lines)

Skylights, satellite dish mounts and solar panel mounts

Attic vents and turbines

Step 4: Go into the attic

On a bright afternoon, with a flashlight:

Look for daylight through the decking

Check for water stains or dark spots on the underside of the roof

Feel whether insulation is dry and evenly spread

Look for rusty nail tips, which point to condensation

Make sure soffit vents are not blocked by insulation

Step 5: After a storm, check these too

Dents in gutters, downspouts, vents and AC fins (a good sign of hail size)

Shingles or pieces of shingle in the yard

Broken limbs on or near the roof

New stains on ceilings, especially on the top floor

Damaged siding, window screens or fence panels

Photograph anything you find and note the storm date.

Step 6: Small things that get missed

Caulk around vents and flashing that has dried and cracked

Paint peeling on fascia and soffit, which can mean water is getting behind it

Loose or missing drip edge along the roof edge

Animal activity along the eaves

Why a professional inspection still matters

A ground check will catch obvious problems. It will not catch hail bruising, which is almost impossible to see from below and is the most common reason roofs are replaced in North Texas. A roofer on the roof can find it, photograph it, and tell you whether it is worth an insurance claim.

We recommend a professional inspection once a year and after any significant hail or wind. Ours are free, and you keep the photos. Call (855) 741-ROOF to schedule, or print our DIY checklist from the roof inspection checklist page on this site.

Roof Inspection Checklist for Texas Homeowners