Roof Inspection Checklist: 15 Steps to Spot Damage Early


From hailstones the size of golf balls to sneaky spring winds, Colorado weather puts a roof through a fitness test every single season. The quickest way to know whether your shingles passed or failed is a systematic inspection, not a hurried glance from the driveway. That’s exactly what this guide delivers: a 15-step checklist you can print, clip to a clipboard, and carry up the ladder. Follow it and you’ll spot loose flashing, hidden leaks, and other early-stage problems while a tube of sealant—​not a full tear-off—​still solves them.


Beyond the steps themselves, you’ll learn how to stay safe, photograph evidence for insurance, and decide when a professional crew is the smarter choice. Each item applies whether your home wears asphalt shingles in Thornton, clay tiles in Longmont, or standing-seam metal in Denver’s foothills. Spend thirty focused minutes with this checklist now, and you’ll save thousands later on drywall repairs, mold remediation, and premium hikes. Ready to get started? Print the PDF and let’s walk the roof—​one smart step at a time.


1. Gear Up: Safety Comes First


Before you even unfold the roof inspection checklist, lock in your personal safety plan. A slip on a dew-covered shingle can erase any savings you hoped to gain from DIY work.


Why This Step Matters


Falls are the leading cause of serious homeowner injuries on roofs. One missed foothold or gust of wind can turn a minor maintenance task into an ER visit and a busted insurance deductible.


Essential Safety Equipment



  • Extension ladder extending 3 ft above the eave

  • Ladder stabilizer or standoff arms

  • Non-slip boots with soft rubber soles

  • Roofing harness, lanyard, and ridge anchor

  • Safety glasses, cut-resistant gloves, and a hard hat


Weather & Site Prep Checklist



  • Choose a dry, wind-free day under 85 °F

  • Clear toys, grills, and furniture from ladder landing zones

  • Mark overhead power lines and keep metal tools away

  • Work with a helper who can steady the ladder and pass tools



2. Begin With a Ground-Level Perimeter Scan


Start in the yard, circling the house once before you ever touch a rung. That ground view often exposes issues invisible from above.


Visual Clues From Below



  • Missing or curled shingles

  • Lifted edges or flashing

  • Sagging ridgeline

  • Dark streaks or moss


Tools & Techniques


Use binoculars or a 20–60× zoom lens from 25 ft away; tag each photo N, S, E, or W.


Record Your Findings


Log notes in a three-column table: Location, Observation, Urgency (1–3).


3. Inspect Gutters, Downspouts, and Drip Edge


Drainage hardware is your roof’s first line of defense against Colorado’s cloudbursts. A five-minute scan here can uncover problems that send water backward under shingles and into wall cavities.


What to Look For



  • Granule piles in gutter troughs

  • Bent or detached sections, missing end-caps

  • Rust spots, standing water, loose screws

  • Downspouts pulled away from wall; crushed elbows


Why It Matters


Clogged or damaged gutters overflow, soaking fascia boards and wicking moisture beneath the roof deck—prime conditions for rot and mold growth.


Simple Fixes vs. Pro Repairs



  • DIY: Scoop debris, reseal seams, replace broken hangers

  • Pro: Replace rotted fascia, realign sagging runs, install oversized downspouts after major hail


4. Examine Fascia, Soffits, and Roof Edge


Fascia boards and soffits connect gutters to the roof edge and ventilate the attic; ignore them and wind-driven rain can creep into framing and insulation.


Key Red Flags



  • Soft, spongy wood

  • Peeling or blistered paint

  • Wasp or hornet nests

  • Water stains or mildew streaks

  • Quarter-inch gaps inviting rodents


Testing Technique


Press a flathead screwdriver; if it sinks more than 1/8-inch, replace the section.


Preventive Upgrades



  • Ventilated aluminum soffit panels

  • PVC fascia that shrugs off hail


5. Check Roofing Surface: Shingles, Tiles, or Panels


Once you’re on stable footing, scan the field itself — the shingles, tiles, or metal panels that take Colorado’s hail hits day after day. Move systematically in rows from eave to ridge so nothing escapes your gaze.


Asphalt-Shingle Checklist



  • Curling or cupping edges

  • Missing tabs or slots

  • Blisters or surface bubbles

  • Bare spots where granules gone

  • Dark bruises from hail


Tile or Metal Checklist



  • Cracked clay or concrete tiles

  • Loose or missing fasteners

  • Rust streaks around screws

  • Oil-canning dents from hail


Life-Expectancy Benchmarks


Note the install date. Typical asphalt lasts 20–25 years, but hail belts often cut that to 12–15. Metal or tile can cruise past 40 if damage-free.


6. Inspect Flashing and Roof Valleys


Flashing handles the hardest job on a roof—directing water off seams and into the gutters. Because it’s thin metal, hail dents, rust, or loose nails can turn a once-watertight joint into a leak path you won’t notice until drywall stains appear.


Critical Flashing Areas



  • Step flashing where shingle courses meet sidewalls

  • Continuous valley metal guiding water off intersecting slopes

  • Chimney counter flashing, cricket saddle, and apron

  • Drip edge along eaves and rakes


Common Fail Points



  • Rusted or missing fasteners

  • Sealant that’s dried, cracked, or completely gone

  • Flashing edges lifted by ice, wind, or improper nailing

  • Pin-holes near nail heads allowing capillary action


Quick Test


Slide a plastic putty knife beneath each flashing edge. If the blade slips more than 1/8" or catches on curled metal, mark that spot for repair or resealing ASAP.


7. Assess Roof Penetrations (Vents, Pipe Boots, Exhaust Fans)


Every place a pipe, vent, or fan punches through the decking is a prime leak candidate. These factory-made parts age faster than shingles, so give them a close, systematic once-over.


Pipe Boot Checklist



  • Rubber collar split, cracked, or sun-baked

  • Exposed or rusted nails backing out

  • Metal base bent or not sitting flush


Vent Cap & Fan Housing



  • Loose or missing mounting screws

  • Bird or rodent screens torn away

  • Corrosion, dents, or seam gaps on metal tops


Flashing Seal Integrity



  • Dried or missing caulk along edges

  • Mastic pulled back more than 1/4"

  • Reseal with UV-rated silicone or polyether for long-term hold


8. Evaluate Chimney, Skylights, and Other Attachments


Chimneys, skylights, and rooftop hardware break the continuous surface of your roof, so they’re prime leak spots. A slow lap around each attachment now prevents soggy insulation and ceiling stains later.


Masonry & Mortar Joints



  • Flaking bricks or missing mortar

  • Cap or crown cracked, gaps appear


Skylight Seals & Lenses



  • Fogged glass = seal failure

  • Cracked lens, sealant gaps in saddle


Satellite Dishes & Solar Mounts



  • Lag bolts need rubber gaskets intact

  • Rust streaks show water is entering


9. Head Inside: Inspect Attic or Crawl Space


The attic tells the truth about roof health. Slide in with a bright flashlight and moisture meter before sunset when exterior light stands out sharply against raw sheathing.


Signs of Active Leaks


Spot dark rings, damp insulation, rusty nail tips, or mold odors—classic evidence of active leaks.


Daylight Test


Kill your flashlight; any pinpoints of sky inside mean gaps that invite rain.


Insulation & Airflow Notes


Verify R-38 blown-in insulation and clear baffles at eaves so intake air can reach ridge vents.


10. Verify Ventilation and Intake/Exhaust Balance


Balanced attic airflow keeps shingles cool, wood dry, and energy bills in check—especially under Colorado’s wild temperature swings.


Why Ventilation Matters


Without balance, trapped heat bakes shingles and winter moisture condenses into mold.


Intake Checklist



  • Clear soffit vents—no paint, insulation, or nests blocking airflow

  • Provide 1 sq ft net-free intake per 150 sq ft attic floor if no vapor barrier


Exhaust Checklist



  • Uninterrupted ridge vent; end plugs sealed

  • Powered fans operational; avoid mixing ridge with box or turbine vents


11. Look for Structural Sagging or Decking Problems


Even if shingles pass visual muster, hidden sag in plywood or framing can telegraph future leaks or, worse, a cave-in during Colorado’s wet, heavy spring snows. Inspect from both topside and attic for early warning signs.


Deck & Truss Indicators


Sight along ridge and eave lines; more than 1/2" dip across a 4-ft span, cracked gusset plates, or daylight at sheathing joints all signal compromised support.


Walk-Test (If Safe)


Gently heel-toe across suspected areas. A “springy” feel or audible creak marks a soft spot—note its exact location on your roof map.


When to Call a Structural Engineer


If sag extends over multiple rafters, ties into load-bearing walls, or you see sheared fasteners, bring in a licensed engineer before any repair work begins.


12. Identify Moisture, Mold, and Interior Ceiling Stains


Water rarely floods straight through a roof; more often it sneaks along joists and shows up as faint rings or a musty smell inside. Catching those subtle clues keeps drywall repairs from ballooning into full-blown remediation jobs.


Ceiling & Wall Survey


Scan every room—especially under valleys and vents—for brown rings, bubbling paint, sagging texture, or peeling drywall tape. Mark each spot with painter’s tape for follow-up photos.


Moisture Meter Use


Press a pin-type meter into stained drywall or adjacent framing. Readings above 20 % moisture content indicate an active leak that needs immediate drying and patching.


Mold Hotspots


Focus on areas near bathroom exhaust ducts, kitchen range vents, and HVAC penetrations. Black or green spotting, fuzzy growth, or a persistent earthy odor means you’ve got mold—document it and schedule remediation before sealing the roof.


13. Spot Hail, Wind, and Storm Damage Clues


Colorado roofs take a pounding from marble- to golf-ball-size hail and 60 mph chinook gusts. After every big cell passes, do a focused sweep for storm-specific clues—many are subtle and disappear fast, but insurance adjusters need them documented within days.


Hail Impact Signs



  • Random, circular divots in shingle granules

  • “Bruise” that feels soft or spongy when pressed

  • Dented metal roof vents, gutters, or chimney caps


Wind Uplift Indicators



  • Creased or flipped shingle tabs along the lower third

  • Missing ridge or hip caps exposing felt underlayment

  • Loose or rattling drip-edge and rake metal


Insurance Documentation Tips



  • Place a ruler or coin next to each hit in photos for scale

  • Tag images with the storm date and compass location

  • Note hailstone diameter (e.g., 1.25") and wind speed from NOAA reports


14. Examine Sealants, Caulking, and Roof Coatings


Even a flawless shingle can leak if the bead of goo keeping water out turns brittle. Give every dab of sealant the same scrutiny you gave the shingles—sun, hail, and freeze-thaw cycles chew it up faster than most homeowners realize.


Lifespan Reality


Most asphalt-based roof sealants survive 8–10 years at best; UV rays and Colorado’s -10 °F → 100 °F swings speed up cracking and shrinkage.


Where to Re-Seal


Target exposed nail heads, flashing laps, pipe-boot collars, ridge cap ends, and any spot where previous mastic is pulling back more than ¼" .


Compatible Products


Reach for polyether or 100 % silicone formulations—they stay flexible, bond to metal or asphalt, and shrug off hail impact better than latex caulks.


15. Document Findings and Prioritize Repairs


All the careful observations you made won’t help if they stay scattered in your phone or memory. Turn raw notes into an action plan so small fixes don’t languish until they become claim-level problems.


Create a Two-Column List


On the checklist PDF, split the final page into “Urgent—30 Days” and “Monitor—6-12 Months.” Transfer every defect you spotted, then number items in the urgent column by risk to interior damage.


Photo & Video File-Naming Protocol


Label each image like 2025-09-13_NSlope_MissingTab.JPG . Standardized names let insurance adjusters or future buyers verify the timeline without digging through metadata.


Decide DIY, Handyman, or Roofing Contractor


Match each repair to a quick cost/complexity grid: DIY if <$200 and ground-level; handyman for fascia or caulking; call a licensed roofer for structural sag, hail claims, or any work above the second story.


Common Questions About Roof Inspections


Below are the quick answers to the questions homeowners ask us at nearly every visit.


What Does a Professional Roof Inspection Include?


A pro reviews decking, underlayment, surface, flashing, penetrations, ventilation, gutters, and attic moisture, then issues a photo report.


How Often Should I Inspect My Roof?


Inspect spring, fall, plus after hail or winds over 45 mph; hire a pro every other year.


What Questions Should I Ask My Roof Inspector?


Ask about flashing condition, attic airflow, remaining shingle life, and whether spot repairs or replacement suits best.


What Causes a Roof to “Fail” Inspection?


Active leaks, big granule loss, missing shingles, poor ventilation, or structural sagging usually force a failed inspection.


Next Steps for a Leak-Free Home


You’ve circled the house, climbed the ladder, poked at flashing, and even crawled through insulation—​all in the name of catching roof trouble before it torpedoes your drywall budget. Use the notes and photos you gathered today to act fast while problems are still cheap and simple.



  • Tackle the low-risk, under-$200 fixes this weekend: clear gutters, reseal exposed nail heads, tighten downspout straps.

  • Put a calendar reminder on the “Monitor” items so they don’t slip into the urgent column six months from now.

  • Organize your storm photos in a cloud folder; if hail hits again, you’ll have a baseline for an insurance claim.


Found soft decking, widespread hail bruises, or anything that made you second-guess your footing? That’s the line where DIY ends and professional help begins. Schedule a no-obligation roof assessment with the local pros who know Colorado weather best—​the veteran-owned team at Semper Fi Restoration. We’ll confirm your findings, handle insurance paperwork, and make sure the only thing dripping this season is your morning coffee.

Ready to Get Your Free Inspection Schedule?