Philadelphia roofs take a beating every year, from summer thunderstorms to nor’easters, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles. Most roof problems start small: a lifted shingle, a cracked seal around a vent, or a gutter starting to pull away from the fascia. A simple roof inspection checklist helps you catch those small issues while they are still quick, affordable fixes, before winter turns them into leaks.
This checklist covers what you can safely check yourself from the ground and from inside your home, the extra items that matter in fall and winter, and the signs that it’s time to book a professional roof inspection.
Quick Roof Inspection Checklist
- Stay off the roof and inspect from the ground with binoculars
- Look for missing, cracked, curled, or lifted shingles
- Check gutters and downspouts for granules, sagging, and leaks
- Inspect flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
- Look for sagging or uneven sections of the roofline
- Scan for moss, algae, or dark streaks
- Check roof valleys and flat-roof drains for trapped debris
- Look inside: attic, ceilings, and the tops of exterior walls
- Note anything unusual with photos and the date
- Call a roofing professional if you find a problem
Safety first: inspect from the ground
You don’t need to climb onto your roof to do a useful inspection, and you shouldn’t. Wet leaves, frost, and loose shingles make roofs slippery, and steep or multi-story roofs are dangerous even in good weather. Walk around your home with a pair of binoculars, check what you can see from a stable spot on the ground, and do the rest of the checklist from inside. Leave anything you can’t see clearly to a professional.
Outside: What to Check From the Ground
Work your way around the house section by section. This table shows what each warning sign usually means and how quickly to act on it.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Missing, cracked, or curled shingles | The underlayment is exposed to water | Book a repair before the next storm |
| Lifted shingles at ridges, rakes, and eaves | Wind can get underneath and tear them off | Have them re-secured this season |
| Raised or exposed nail heads | Water can get in around the nail hole | Note the spot and have it checked |
| Granules in gutters (like coarse black sand) | The shingles are wearing out | Book an inspection to gauge the roof’s remaining life |
| Bent, rusted, or loose flashing | The most common place for leaks to start | Book a repair soon |
| Sagging or uneven roofline | Possible moisture damage in the roof deck | Call a roofer right away |
| Moss, algae, or dark streaks | Moisture is being held against the shingles | Ask about safe removal. Don’t pressure-wash |
| Gutters sagging, leaking, or pulling away | Water is spilling onto fascia, walls, and foundation | Have the gutters repaired or replaced |
| Holes, chewed edges, or nesting material | Animals are getting into soffits or the attic | Have the entry points sealed |
Flashing: where most leaks start
Flashing seals the joints where your roof meets a chimney, vent pipe, skylight, or wall. Look for flashing that is bent, rusted, cracked, or pulling away, and for gaps in the sealant around it. Check the rubber collars around vent pipes too, since they crack with age.
Freeze-thaw cycles open up small gaps fast, so fall is the time to get worn flashing resealed.
Gutters and downspouts
Check that gutters are firmly attached and not sagging or pulling away from the fascia. Look for rust, holes, leaking seams, and downspout elbows that are cracked or have come loose, and make sure downspouts carry water well away from your foundation.
If your gutters are sagging, leaking, or damaged, our gutter repair and installation team can repair or replace them.
Roof valleys and flat-roof drains
Valleys, where two roof slopes meet, collect leaves and twigs that trap moisture. On flat and low-slope roofs, common on Philadelphia rowhomes, check that drains and scuppers are clear so water can’t pond on the roof.
Inside: Check Your Attic and Ceilings
Some of the best clues to a roof problem are inside your home:
- Water stains on ceilings or at the tops of exterior walls
- Damp or darkened wood on the underside of the roof deck or rafters
- Daylight showing through the roof boards
- Mold, mildew, or a musty smell in the attic
- Wet or flattened insulation
- Frost or heavy condensation on the underside of the roof in cold weather, a sign of poor attic ventilation
If you find active water coming in, don’t wait for your next seasonal check. Get the leak looked at right away. See our roof repair in Philadelphia service.
Fall and Winter Additions to Your Checklist
A fall inspection is the most important one of the year, because it’s your last chance to fix small problems before snow and ice arrive. Add these items before the first freeze:
- Make sure gutters are secure and draining. Sagging gutters, leaking seams, and loose downspouts let water spill onto the fascia and freeze at the roof edge. Get them fixed before winter.
- Trim overhanging branches. Branches drop debris onto the roof, scrape shingles in the wind, and can fall during winter storms.
- Look for ice dam risk. If you’ve seen icicles or ice along the roof edge in past winters, have your attic ventilation and insulation checked.
- Check chimney flashing and masonry. Gaps and loose mortar let water in, and freeze-thaw cycles make them worse.
- Check again after the first big snow or wind storm. Our storm damage checklist walks you through it.
For a full fall and winter maintenance plan, read our guide to preventative roof maintenance.
How Often Should You Inspect Your Roof?
Check your roof yourself twice a year, in the spring and fall, and again after any major storm. We recommend a professional inspection at least once a year, and more often for older roofs, homes under heavy tree cover, or roofs that have already needed repairs.
Want a printable version? Download our free DIY roof inspection checklist.
When to Call a Professional
A homeowner check is a starting point, not a substitute for a professional inspection. Call a roofer if you find missing or damaged shingles, damaged flashing, granules piling up in your gutters, sagging, or any sign of water inside, or if you simply aren’t sure what you’re looking at.
| What you can check yourself | What a Union Roofing inspection adds |
|---|---|
| Shingles you can see from the ground | A close check of shingles and ridge caps across the whole roof |
| Flashing around the chimney | Every roof penetration: chimneys, vents, skylights, and pipe collars |
| Ceiling stains and a quick look in the attic | Moisture checks in accessible attic spaces, plus ventilation |
| The roofline from the street | Valleys, sagging, and the roof structure |
| Your own notes and photos | A clear written report and a free estimate, with no pressure to commit |
Roof Inspection Checklist FAQs
When is the best time to inspect my roof?
Spring and fall. A spring check shows you what winter did to your roof, and a fall check, ideally in early to mid-fall, gives you time to make repairs before cold, icy weather sets in.
Can I inspect my roof myself?
Yes, from the ground and from inside your home. Use binoculars to check shingles, flashing, and gutters, and look in your attic for stains or moisture. Don’t climb onto the roof. For anything you can’t see clearly, book a professional inspection.
What does a professional roof inspection include?
Union Roofing’s inspections cover the roof surface, flashing and seals, the roof structure, signs of leaks and moisture in accessible attic spaces, and attic ventilation. You get a written report of what we found and the recommended next steps.
How much does a roof inspection cost?
Union Roofing offers free roof inspections and free estimates for homeowners in our service area across Philadelphia, Bucks, Montgomery, and Delaware Counties, and South Jersey.
Book Your Free Roof Inspection Before Winter
Union Roofing is a family-run, licensed, and insured roofing company that has served homeowners across Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey for more than 40 years. If your checklist turned up anything, or you’d like a professional set of eyes on your roof before winter, we’ll inspect it for free.
