Inspect your roof from ground level and up close, identify common damage types, and handle minor repairs or prepare for professional work before leaks cause interior damage.
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Safety and Preparation
Check weather conditions before going on the roof
Never walk on a wet, icy, or frost-covered roof — the fall risk is extreme. Wait for dry conditions with temperatures above 45°F. Asphalt shingles become brittle below freezing and soft above 90°F, both making them vulnerable to foot traffic.
Set up a sturdy extension ladder at the correct angle
Place the ladder base 1 foot from the wall for every 4 feet of height. The ladder should extend 3 feet above the roof edge. Set the feet on firm, level ground. A ladder stabilizer ($30-$50) prevents gutter damage and improves stability.
Wear proper safety gear
Non-slip rubber-soled shoes are essential. For steep roofs (pitch above 6:12), use a roof harness system ($80-$150). Bring a camera or phone for photos. Work with a partner who stays on the ground and holds the ladder base.
Ground-Level Inspection
Walk the perimeter and look for visible damage
Use binoculars to scan each roof face from the ground. Look for missing shingles, sagging sections, and dark streaks. Dark streaks are usually algae (cosmetic, not structural). Sagging indicates structural problems that need immediate professional attention.
Inspect gutters for shingle granules
Excessive granules in gutters (more than a handful per 10-foot section) mean shingles are deteriorating. A small amount after a new roof is normal. Granule loss accelerates UV damage, shortening roof life by 3-5 years.
Check fascia and soffit for rot or damage
Press a screwdriver into wood fascia at several points. If it sinks more than 1/4 inch, the wood is rotting. Fascia replacement costs $6-$15 per linear foot. Rotted fascia allows water behind the gutter and into the roof structure.
Look for damaged or missing flashing
Flashing is the metal that seals joints around chimneys, vents, and valleys. Rust, gaps, or lifting edges mean water is getting in. Flashing repair costs $200-$500 per area. Flashing failures account for 90% of roof leaks.
On-Roof Inspection
Check shingle condition across all roof faces
Look for curling (edges lifting), cupping (center lifting), cracking, and bald spots where granules are gone. If more than 25% of shingles show these signs, the roof needs replacement within 2-3 years. Individual damaged shingles cost $5-$10 each to replace.
Inspect all flashing joints up close
Push on flashing with your hand — it should feel firmly secured. Check the sealant at every flashing edge. Old sealant cracks and pulls away after 5-10 years. Reseal with roofing cement ($5-$8 per tube) applied with a caulk gun.
Examine vent pipes and boots
Rubber pipe boots crack and split after 10-15 years of UV exposure. A cracked boot lets water run down the pipe into your house. Replacement boots cost $8-$15 each and take 30 minutes to install. Check every pipe on the roof.
Inspect the ridge cap shingles at the roof peak
Ridge cap shingles take the most wind and weather abuse. Look for cracking, lifting, or missing pieces. Replacing ridge cap costs $8-$12 per linear foot. A typical home has 30-50 linear feet of ridge. Wind damage here causes leaks in the attic.
Check valleys where two roof planes meet
Valleys channel the most water and are a common leak point. Look for worn shingles, exposed underlayment, or debris buildup. Clear leaves and debris from valleys — clogged valleys dam water under shingles. Valley repair costs $300-$800.
Look for moss, lichen, or algae growth
Moss holds moisture against the roof and lifts shingles. Remove moss with a stiff brush (never a pressure washer on shingles). Apply zinc or copper strips ($15-$25 per 50-foot roll) along the ridge to prevent regrowth. The metal ions kill moss as rainwater washes over them.
Attic Inspection
Check for daylight coming through the roof deck
Turn off attic lights and look for pinholes of light — each one is a potential leak point. Mark them with tape or chalk so you can find them from the roof side. Even small holes allow water intrusion during wind-driven rain.
Look for water stains on rafters and sheathing
Dark stains or water trails on wood indicate active or recent leaks. Trace the stain uphill to find the entry point — water travels along rafters before dripping. The leak source is often 3-10 feet above the stain.
Check insulation for moisture or compression
Wet insulation is heavy and dark-colored. Pull back sections and check the plywood underneath for mold. Compressed or wet insulation loses 50-75% of its R-value. Replace wet insulation ($1-$2/sq ft) after fixing the leak source.
Verify ventilation is adequate
Proper attic ventilation requires 1 sq ft of vent area per 150 sq ft of attic floor. Soffit vents pull cool air in, ridge vents exhaust hot air out. Blocked soffit vents (often covered by insulation) trap heat and moisture, accelerating shingle deterioration.
Repairs and Next Steps
Replace individual damaged or missing shingles
Slide a flat bar under the damaged shingle and pop the nails. Slide in the new shingle and nail at the top edge with 4 roofing nails. Seal nail heads with roofing cement. A bundle of 20-25 shingles costs $25-$40 and covers about 33 sq ft.
Reseal flashing and vent boots as needed
Apply roofing cement with a caulk gun to all cracked or separated flashing seams. For pipe boots, slip a new rubber boot over the pipe and seal with roofing cement at the base. Total cost for these repairs is typically $50-$100 in materials.
Document all findings with photos and notes
Take photos of every issue you find, including a wide shot showing its location and a close-up showing the damage. Date your notes. This documentation helps if you file an insurance claim or get quotes from roofing contractors.
Get professional quotes if major work is needed
A full roof replacement costs $8,000-$15,000 for a 2,000 sq ft roof. Get 3 quotes from licensed, insured roofers. Ask each about materials, warranty (workmanship + manufacturer), and timeline. Most roof replacements take 1-3 days.
Schedule the next inspection in 12 months
Annual inspections catch small problems before they become expensive repairs. The best time to inspect is late spring after winter storms and before summer heat. A professional roof inspection costs $150-$350 if you prefer not to climb up yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a roof be inspected?
Inspect your roof twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, plus after any major storm with winds above 60 mph or hail larger than 1 inch. Asphalt shingle roofs should get a professional inspection every 3-5 years. Roofs older than 15 years benefit from annual professional inspections since problems accelerate in the final third of a roof's lifespan.
How much does a professional roof inspection cost?
A standard roof inspection costs $150-$400 depending on roof size, pitch, and accessibility. Inspections that include infrared scanning for moisture detection run $400-$600. Many roofing contractors offer free inspections, but these can be biased toward recommending replacement. An independent inspector with no financial interest in the repair gives a more objective assessment. Insurance claims often require an inspection report, which costs $200-$350.
How long does an asphalt shingle roof last?
Three-tab asphalt shingles last 15-20 years, architectural (dimensional) shingles last 25-30 years, and premium shingles last 30-50 years in ideal conditions. Actual lifespan depends on climate, ventilation, and installation quality. South-facing roof slopes wear 20-30% faster due to direct UV exposure. Poor attic ventilation can cut shingle life in half by trapping heat that bakes shingles from below.
What are signs that a roof needs to be replaced?
The most telling signs are shingle granules collecting in gutters (indicating advanced wear), shingles curling or buckling across large areas, daylight visible through the attic roof boards, and sagging along the roofline. If more than 30% of shingles show damage, replacement is more cost-effective than patching. A roof that has been repaired 3+ times in 5 years is signaling systemic failure.
Can I inspect my own roof safely?
Ground-level and attic inspections are safe for homeowners and catch most issues. Use binoculars from the ground to scan for missing shingles, flashing damage, and sagging. In the attic, look for water stains, daylight penetration, and mold. Walking on the roof carries fall risk and can damage shingles in hot weather when they become soft. If you do get on the roof, use a sturdy extension ladder, wear rubber-soled shoes, and never go on a wet or icy roof.