You do not need to be a roofer to keep an eye on your roof between professional inspections. A 15-minute walk around your property each season can catch problems early and save you real money. Everything on this list can be checked from the ground, from a ladder at gutter height, or from inside your attic. Do not get on the roof.
Spring
Spring is your post-winter damage check. Utah winters are tough on roofs, and spring is when problems show themselves.
Look for missing or damaged shingles. Walk around the house and look up at every slope. Winter wind and ice can crack, shift, or remove shingles.
Check gutters and downspouts. Clear any debris from fall and winter. Make sure water flows freely. Check for sagging sections or gutters pulling away from the fascia.
Look for granules in gutters. Some granule accumulation over winter is normal. A heavy layer suggests accelerated shingle wear.
Inspect flashing from the ground. Look at the metal around chimneys, walls, and vents. If anything looks pulled away, rusted, or bent, note it for a professional to check.
Check for ice dam damage. Look at the eaves for signs of water staining on the fascia or soffit. Check inside for ceiling stains near exterior walls, which can indicate ice dam water intrusion over the winter.
Summer
Check for curling or buckling shingles. Heat and UV exposure accelerate aging. Curling edges or buckled sections are signs the shingles are losing flexibility.
Look for moss or algae growth. North-facing slopes and shaded areas can develop dark streaks or green moss. Heavy moss growth traps moisture and accelerates deterioration.
Inspect attic ventilation. On a hot day, check your attic temperature. If it is significantly hotter than it should be, your ventilation may be inadequate.
Pre-monsoon check. Before July, make sure gutters are clear and drainage is working. Monsoon season microbursts dump a lot of water fast, and clogged gutters make everything worse.
Fall
Clear debris. Falling leaves, branches, and pine needles accumulate on roofs and in valleys. Left over winter, they trap moisture and create rot risks.
Final gutter cleaning. This is the big one. Clean gutters before the first freeze. Clogged gutters in winter are the number one cause of ice dams along the Wasatch Front.
Check caulk and sealants. Look at any visible sealant around pipes and vents from the ground. Cracked or shrinking sealant is a leak waiting to happen.
Schedule an inspection if due. Fall is the ideal time for a professional inspection. It gives you time to address any issues before winter locks everything in.
"Clean gutters before the first freeze. Clogged gutters in winter are the number one cause of ice dams along the Wasatch Front."
Winter
Watch for ice dams. If you see thick ice ridges forming at the eaves, especially with icicles hanging from the gutter, you may have an ice dam forming. This indicates heat loss from the attic melting snow on the roof.
Monitor snow load. Most residential roofs in the valley handle normal snow loads fine. But if you are in the benches or higher elevations and accumulation is heavy without melting, keep an eye on it.
Check for condensation in the attic. On a cold day, check your attic for frost on the underside of the decking or moisture on surfaces. This indicates a ventilation problem that is trapping warm, moist air.
Do not go on the roof. A snow-covered or icy roof is one of the most dangerous surfaces you can walk on. If you see a problem, call a professional.
Want a professional eye on your roof? We offer free inspections and will give you a personalized report on your roof's condition. Contact us to schedule.
"Bob and his staff did an excellent job installing a new roof on our home. It looks amazing and our leaking issues have been resolved. No more worries! He gave us a very fair price for the quality work done."Terry Flitton , Google Review