Free guide
The DIY roof inspection checklist
A homeowner's checklist for spotting roof damage without getting on the roof. Work through it from the ground, from inside the attic, and from inside the house. Anything you find is worth a professional inspection. Most storm damage is invisible from ground level.
Most hail damage cannot be seen from the ground, which is the limitation of any DIY checklist. What this list can do is tell you whether something is worth having looked at properly, and in North Texas, after a hail season, that is usually the question.
Stay off the roof. Everything below can be checked from ground level, an upstairs window, or your attic.
1From the ground, walking the perimeter
- Shingles that are lifted, curled, cracked or missing
- Dark patches where granules have been knocked off
- Sagging or wavy roof lines
- Dented or dimpled gutters, downspouts and gutter aprons
- Dented roof vents, turtle vents or ridge vents
- Damaged or torn window screens
- Dented soft metal: AC condenser fins, mailboxes, garage doors
- Granules collecting where the downspouts discharge
2Inside the attic, with a flashlight
- Daylight visible through the roof deck
- Water stains or streaking on the underside of the decking
- Damp, matted or discolored insulation
- A musty smell, or visible mould on rafters
- Rusted nail shanks (a sign of persistent condensation)
- Blocked soffit vents, which cause exactly that condensation
3Inside the house
- Brown or darkening rings on ceilings
- Peeling paint or bubbling near skylights and window heads
- Discoloration at the top of interior walls
- An unexplained rise in heating or cooling bills
Found something?
A free inspection tells you whether it matters. We photograph everything, tell you whether it is worth filing, and you keep the report either way.
Questions people actually ask
Should I climb on my own roof to inspect it?
No. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries every year, and hail bruising is hard to identify without training even when you are standing on it. Everything on this checklist can be done from the ground, from a window, or from inside the attic.
How often should I check my roof?
Twice a year as a routine, and after any storm that brought hail or high wind to your area. Spring, once hail season has passed, and fall before the winter weather are the natural times.
I found something on the list. What now?
Call us for a free inspection. We will get on the roof, photograph everything properly, and tell you whether it is worth filing a claim. If it is not, you will have documentation of your roof's condition on file. Call (855) 741-ROOF.
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