Spring Roof Inspection Checklist — Catch Winter Damage Early

Ground-Level Exterior Inspection

1. Walk the perimeter and look for shingles on the ground or in gutters

   Wind-stripped shingles often land in the yard, flower beds, or neighbors' properties. Finding shingle pieces on the ground means exposed areas on the roof. Count the pieces to estimate the scope — a few tabs is a spot repair, a large collection may indicate broader wind damage that warrants an insurance claim.

   10 minutes

2. Use binoculars to scan the roof surface for missing, cracked, or curled shingles

   Look at each roof plane systematically. Missing shingles appear as dark rectangles (exposed underlayment) against the surrounding shingle color. Curled shingles have edges lifting off the surface. Cracked shingles show visible splits. Note the locations for reference when calling a roofer.

   10 minutes $20–$40 for binoculars if you don't have them

3. Check flashing around chimney, vents, and wall intersections

   Visible from the ground: flashing that's pulled away from the chimney, gaps between step flashing and siding, and rust stains on masonry or siding below flashing points. Flashing sealant fails after 5–10 years and is particularly vulnerable to winter freeze-thaw cycles that crack dried sealant.

   5 minutes

4. Inspect fascia boards and soffits for rot, staining, or peeling paint

   Water damage at the roof edge shows up as soft or discolored fascia, peeling soffit paint, and visible staining. This often indicates ice dam damage, gutter overflow, or missing drip edge. Press on accessible fascia boards — sound wood is firm; rotted wood gives under finger pressure.

   5 minutes

5. Look for sagging or uneven rooflines

   Step back from your house and look at the ridge line and roof planes. A straight ridge that now shows a dip or bow could indicate a structural issue — a broken truss, failed ridge board, or excessive snow load damage. Any visible sag warrants a professional structural evaluation.

   5 minutes

Gutter and Drainage Inspection

1. Clean gutters of winter debris — leaves, twigs, granules, ice residue

   Winter fills gutters with material that blocks drainage. Clean out all debris and flush gutters with a garden hose to verify water flows freely to downspouts. Note any excessive shingle granule accumulation — heavy granule deposits indicate aging shingles and accelerated wear.

   1–2 hours DIY or schedule professional cleaning $100–$250 for professional cleaning

2. Check gutters for ice damage — sagging, pulled-away sections, or bent hangers

   Ice buildup in gutters can weigh 5–10 lbs per linear foot, pulling gutters away from the fascia and bending hangers. Look for sections that sag, tilt outward, or have visible gaps between the gutter back and the fascia board. Re-hanging a gutter section costs $100–$300.

   5 minutes $100–$300 per section to re-hang

3. Verify downspouts are connected and directing water away from the foundation

   Ice can disconnect downspout sections and shift splash blocks. Check each downspout connection from gutter to ground. Water should discharge at least 4–6 feet from the foundation. Replace any missing extensions ($5–$15 each) and reposition splash blocks.

   10 minutes $5–$15 per extension

Attic Inspection

1. Look for new water stains on the underside of the roof deck

   Use a bright flashlight to inspect the deck sheathing. Fresh water stains are darker than old ones and may still feel damp in early spring. Pay particular attention to areas around penetrations (vents, chimney chase, skylights) and along the eaves where ice dams form. Mark any stains with painter's tape for monitoring.

   10 minutes

2. Check for ice dam evidence — staining at the eaves and along the exterior wall line

   Ice dam water enters at the eaves and runs along the top of the exterior wall. Look for staining on the deck, rafters, and top plate in the first 2–3 feet from the roof edge. Wet or compressed insulation in this zone confirms ice dam water intrusion. If evidence is present, plan insulation and ventilation improvements before next winter ($500–$3,000).

   10 minutes

3. Smell for musty or mildew odors indicating mold growth

   Winter condensation and ice dam moisture can trigger mold growth in the attic that may not be visible. A musty smell on entering the attic is a warning sign. If the attic smells musty but no mold is visible, the growth may be on the upper face of the deck (facing up) where it's hidden. Consider a mold inspection ($200–$500) if the odor is strong.

   1 minute $200–$500 for professional mold inspection if needed

4. Verify soffit vents are clear and baffles are in place

   Walk to the eaves and check that soffit intake vents haven't been blocked by displaced insulation during winter. Ice dam prevention work may have shifted insulation over the soffits. Reinstall any dislodged baffles ($1–$2 each) and clear insulation away from the intake path.

   10 minutes $1–$2 per baffle if replacements needed

Landscape and Surroundings

1. Trim any branches that are touching or hanging within 6 feet of the roof

   Winter storms may have brought branches closer to the roof through breakage or weight. Overhanging branches drop debris, hold moisture, encourage moss growth, and can break off during spring storms causing impact damage. Trim branches to maintain at least 6 feet of clearance from the roof surface.

   1–3 hours DIY or schedule arborist $200–$1,500 for professional trimming

2. Remove debris from valleys, behind dormers, and in corners

   Leaves, pine needles, and twigs accumulate in valleys and behind dormers during fall and winter. This debris holds moisture against the roof surface, accelerating shingle deterioration and moss growth. If safely accessible with a roof rake or leaf blower from a ladder, clear these areas. Otherwise, add this to your professional inspection request.

   15–30 minutes if accessible

When to Call a Professional

1. Call a roofer for any active leaks, multiple missing shingles, or flashing failures

   These issues will worsen with spring rain. Schedule a professional inspection ($150–$350) within 1–2 weeks. The inspector will provide a written assessment and repair estimate. Spring is the best time for repairs — contractors have availability and weather is cooperative.

   Schedule within 1–2 weeks $150–$350 for professional inspection

2. Call a structural engineer if you see any roof sag, cracked rafters, or truss damage

   Structural damage from snow load or ice isn't something a roofer can assess — you need a structural engineer. They'll evaluate whether the framing needs reinforcement or replacement. Assessment cost: $300–$600. Don't delay — structural damage left unaddressed can worsen under subsequent weather loads.

   Schedule within 1 week $300–$600 for structural assessment

Pro Tips

• Schedule your inspection for a dry, calm day in March or April

  Inspecting when the roof is wet is dangerous and makes stains harder to distinguish from active moisture. Choose a day with at least 48 hours of dry weather preceding it so any damp areas you find represent chronic issues, not recent rain.

• Take photos and compare to last year

  Photograph every area of concern during your spring inspection. Store them in a dated folder. Year-over-year comparison reveals slow-developing problems (gradually spreading granule loss, slowly worsening stains) that you'd miss in a single inspection.

• Combine your spring inspection with gutter cleaning for efficiency

  Since you'll be on a ladder and around the roof anyway, doing both tasks in one session saves setup time. Clean gutters first, then inspect — gutters full of granules tell you something about shingle condition before you even look at the roof surface.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Walking on the roof for a DIY inspection

  Unless you have experience and proper safety equipment (harness, anchor point, non-slip shoes), stay off the roof. Falls from residential roofs cause thousands of serious injuries annually. A good pair of binoculars and an attic walkthrough reveal 90% of what a rooftop inspection does. Leave the roof-walking to professionals with safety training and insurance.

• Assuming no visible damage means no problems

  Many winter damage types are invisible from the ground — cracked flashing sealant, slow pipe boot leaks, and ice dam moisture intrusion all happen out of sight. The attic inspection catches what the ground-level view misses. Always check both.

• Waiting until summer to address spring findings

  Issues found in spring only get worse through summer thunderstorms. Roofers are less busy in April than in August. Scheduling repairs promptly means faster service, potentially lower prices, and protection through the heavy rain season.

• Confusing condensation staining with leak staining

  Winter condensation in poorly ventilated attics leaves widespread staining on the deck underside — similar in appearance to leak staining. The difference: condensation staining is diffuse and widespread, while leak staining follows specific paths along rafters from a point source. The fixes are completely different: ventilation improvement for condensation vs. roof repair for a leak.