Diagnosis
A roof inspection checklist for homeowners who are not climbing up
What you can reasonably observe from the ground, what to photograph, and the questions that turn a vague worry into a description a roofer can price.
The short answer
A useful roof check is done from the ground, from a window and from the attic — not from the roof. Record what you see, where it is, and when it appeared; that record is what turns a vague worry into a scope a contractor can price.
Before you start
You need three things: a dry day, a way to take photographs, and fifteen minutes. Binoculars help. A ladder does not — this checklist deliberately keeps you on the ground.
The outside check
- Walk the perimeter and look up at the roof line. Note any dips, humps or sagging between supports.
- Look for lifted, missing, cracked or misaligned shingles, tiles or panels — photograph the widest view first, then zoom in.
- Check the ridge line for displaced caps or a wavy edge.
- Look at chimneys, skylights and vents for gaps, rust, or sealant smeared over metal.
- Check gutters for granules, shingle fragments and debris, and note where water overflows.
- Look at fascia and soffit boards for swelling, rot or staining.
- Look at the ground: shingle granules in a downpipe outlet, or debris directly below a suspect area.
- Note moss, algae or dark streaking — usually a maintenance issue rather than a leak, but worth recording.
The attic check
If you have safe access to the attic, a torch and a dry day, look for the traces water leaves behind. Do not walk on unsupported ceiling joists, and do not enter an attic you are unsure about.
- Dark staining or tide marks on rafters, sheathing or trusses.
- Daylight visible through the roof deck.
- Damp or collapsed insulation, especially near chimneys and valleys.
- Rusty nails or fixings, which suggest long-term moisture.
- Mould or a persistent musty smell.
- Ventilation openings that are blocked, or insulation pushed into the eaves.
In the rooms below, note stains on ceilings and walls, bubbling paint, and any spot that darkens after rain. Photograph with something for scale and write the date.
Recording it properly
| Field | What to record |
|---|---|
| Location | Which elevation or which room, and where on it |
| First noticed | Date and what the weather had been doing |
| Size | Measure or state with a reference object in the photo |
| Change | Is it growing, or stable since you first saw it? |
| Interior sign | Stain, drip, damp patch, none visible |
| Exterior sign | Missing shingles, flashing gap, none visible from ground |
| Photos | Wide view plus close-up, named by location |
This record is more valuable than a diagnosis. It lets a contractor plan an inspection, and it protects you if the same problem recurs.
What you can and cannot conclude
You can conclude that something has changed and where it is. You cannot conclude what caused it, whether the deck is sound, or what the repair costs. Those need an inspection. Treat your record as the beginning of a conversation, not the end of one.
If the record shows an active leak, use the leak guide. If it follows a storm, use the storm damage guide. If the same area keeps appearing, read repair or replace.
What to ask a roofing professional
- Based on this record, what will you inspect first?
- How will you confirm the entry point rather than sealing a suspect spot?
- What would you expect to find under the covering, and what would that add?
Questions this page answers
How often should I check the roof?
Twice a year is a reasonable habit — after winter and after the storm season where you live — plus after any significant wind or hail event. A ground-level look takes minutes.
Are drone photos a substitute for an inspection?
They can show surface condition, but they cannot show what is happening under the covering, whether the deck is sound, or how a detail is fixed. They are useful evidence, not an inspection.
Sources
Accessed 2026-11-10. Listed as general references for the organisations behind the guidance on this page; the page itself is our own explanation.
- Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association — residential roofing resources — ARMASupports: Reference material on shingle systems, underlayment and maintenance.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration — residential construction fall protection — US Department of Labor (OSHA)Supports: Why roof access is a regulated hazard rather than a DIY task.
Occasional, and only when there is something worth sending. The checklist and worksheet resources are free on this site whether you subscribe or not.
This page is general guidance, not an inspection of your roof and not a quotation. Roof Repair Roof does not perform roofing work or dispatch contractors.