Roof Maintenance Checklist

Twenty minutes, twice a year, mostly without a ladder.

Last updated 2026-09-16

Most expensive roof problems in Houston start as cheap ones. A split pipe boot is inexpensive. The ceiling, insulation and drywall it ruins over eight months is not. Almost everything below can be checked without getting on the roof.

Spring, before hurricane season

From the ground, with binoculars if you have them

• Missing or lifted shingles, especially ridge and hip caps
• Dark patchy areas, which means granule loss
• Curled or cupped edges
• Any sag or waviness in the roof plane, which is the one urgent item
• Rusted or lifted flashing at chimneys and walls
• Cracked or split pipe boots, which are the most common Houston leak
• Branches touching or overhanging the roof

Gutters and eaves

• Clear them, and check the downspouts run clear
• Black grit in the gutter means granule loss from the shingles
• Sagging gutters usually mean rotted fascia behind them
• Peeling paint along the fascia, and any soft spots you can reach
• Soffit panels: staining, sagging, gaps, or birds going in and out
• Check downspouts discharge well clear of the foundation

In the attic

• Torch off: any daylight through the deck is a hole
• Water staining on the deck underside or the rafters, and rust on nail shanks
• Plywood layers separating, which is a moisture history
• Insulation packed against the eaves, blocking your soffit intake
• How hot it is compared with outside
• Where the bathroom fans discharge

Autumn, after the leaves

• Clear the gutters and the valleys again. Under pine, more than once.
• Check for storm damage from the season, including broken seal strips, which need somebody lifting shingles by hand
• Re-photograph the house for your records
• Check sealant at flashing and penetrations

Things not to do

What to have done professionally

An annual inspection once the roof is past ten, and after any significant hail or wind event regardless of age. The value is not finding disasters, it is catching a pipe boot before it becomes a ceiling. Ours is free and you keep the report.

Common Questions

How often should gutters be cleared in Houston?

Twice a year as a baseline, and more under pine or heavy oak. If you are clearing them more than three times a year, quality guards are probably worth costing.

Can I clean my roof?

Not with pressure. Pressure washing strips the granules and shortens the roof substantially. Soft washing at low pressure is the only acceptable method and most roofs do not need it.

Is it safe to go in my attic?

Walk only on the joists or on boarding, take a torch, and be careful of nail points through the decking. If you are not confident, skip it and have it looked at instead.

Read Next

• Free Roof Inspection
• Signs You Need a New Roof
• Hurricane Season Roof Prep
• When to Replace Your Gutters