Checklist
Seasonal roof maintenance checklist
What is worth doing in spring, summer, autumn and winter — and what should wait for a professional.
6 min readReviewed 2026-11-10Roof Repair Roof editorial teamFree, no email required
A roof is not maintenance-free, but most of the useful work is small, seasonal and cheap compared with the damage it prevents. Everything here is at ground level or inside the house.
Spring
- Clear gutters and downspouts after blossom and seed fall, and check that water flows to the outlet.
- Walk the ground perimeter and photograph anything that winter moved: lifted edge metal, cracked sealant, displaced ridge caps.
- Check ceilings and the attic for stains that appeared over winter, and record the date you first saw them.
- Book any repair now: schedules fill as storm season approaches.
Summer
- Look for granules in gutter outlets — a sign of shingle wear that is easy to see in dry weather.
- Trim branches that touch or overhang the roof; abrasion and dropped debris both cause damage.
- Check that the attic vents are clear and that ventilation intake is not blocked by insulation.
- If you are planning work, get written quotes now and compare them before autumn demand.
Autumn
- Clear gutters again after leaf fall — this is the single most useful autumn task.
- Check that downspouts discharge away from the foundation, not against the wall.
- Look at flashing and sealant before the first freeze, so a small gap does not become an ice-driven leak.
- Photograph the roof from the ground as a record of its condition before winter.
Winter
- After a storm, check from the ground for slipped shingles, debris and displaced flashing — do not climb up on ice.
- Watch for ice dams at the eaves: icicles alone are normal, but water backing up under the roof edge is not.
- Keep the roof clear of drifting snow where it is safe to do so from the ground with a roof rake.
- If water appears inside, note where and when, and contact a professional rather than waiting for spring.
Leave to a professional
- Anything requiring a ladder above the first storey, or any roof walking at all.
- Sealing or replacing flashing, chimney work, and anything involving the structural deck.
- Electrical or vent work, including anything near a flue.
- Any repair where the source of the water is not yet known.
This checklist is general maintenance guidance, not an inspection of your property. Working at height is dangerous: roof work, ladder work and anything above the ground floor belongs to a professional with the right equipment.
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