Roof inspection checklist: what to look at from the ground and the attic
Most of what a roof inspection turns up can be seen from three places: the ground, the eave and the attic. None of them is the roof.
A useful roof inspection checklist starts with where you stand. Look from the ground with binoculars, from a ladder at the eave, and from inside the attic with a flashlight. You do not need to walk the roof to find the things that matter, and this site will not tell you to.
From the ground
Walk all the way around the house and look up. Take photos from each side so you can compare them next season.
- Missing, curled or cracked shingles
- Dark streaks, moss or bare patches where granules have worn off
- A ridge line or eave that is no longer straight
- Flashing around the chimney, skylights and pipes that looks lifted or rusted
- Gutters that are sagging, pulling away or packed with shingle granules
From a ladder at the eave
A ladder set on firm, level ground lets you see the fascia, drip edge and the first course of shingles up close. Stay on the ladder and do not step onto the roof. Look for stains on the fascia, soft or swollen boards and gaps where the drip edge meets the gutter.
From inside the attic
The attic tells you what the outside hides. Bring a flashlight and look along the underside of the roof deck.
- Dark stains or water trails on the wood
- Nail tips with rust or frost on them
- Insulation that is flattened, damp or discolored
- Daylight showing where it should not
- Vents and ducts that end in the attic instead of outside
If you see growth on the wood, describe it as growth and treat it as a sign of persistent moisture. Confirming what it is takes sampling by a qualified person.
On the ceilings inside
Check the ceilings below the roof, especially near walls, chimneys and bathroom vents. A stain that returns after rain points to water from outside. One that shows up on cold days without rain points toward condensation.
What a professional inspection adds
A roofer or inspector can walk the surface, check fasteners and look closely at flashing details you cannot reach from a ladder. That is the part worth paying someone with fall protection to do. Go in with your notes and photos so the conversation starts from what you found.
When to call someone right away
Call a professional for a sagging ridge or a section that has stopped being flat, for water coming into the attic now. And for lifted flashing you cannot safely reach. A sag is a structural question and belongs with a licensed structural engineer, not a DIY fix.
The takeaway
Do the ground, eave and attic checks twice a year and after big storms. Keep the photos. Nothing on this list requires you to be on the roof.
Frequently asked questions
What should a roof inspection checklist include?
Shingle condition, flashing, gutters and the roof line from the ground, the fascia and drip edge from a ladder, and stains, daylight and damp insulation from the attic.
Can I inspect my own roof?
You can inspect most of what matters from the ground, from a ladder at the eave and from inside the attic. This site does not cover walking on the roof.
What do I look for in the attic?
Water trails on the roof deck, rusted nail tips, flattened or damp insulation, daylight where it should not be and vents that end inside the attic.
How often should a roof be inspected?
A simple check twice a year and after major storms is a sensible habit. Photos from each side make comparisons easy.
When should I call a professional?
For a sagging ridge, active water in the attic, or lifted flashing you cannot reach safely. A sag needs a licensed structural engineer.
Sources
What this page explains is based on these official sources. If you check one and it does not match what you read here, send it to us and the article gets corrected.
- NRCA. National Roofing Contractors Association
- US OSHA. 1926.501 — Duty to have fall protection (OSHA)