A roofing inspection checklist covers five areas: the roof surface (shingles, tiles, metal or membrane), the flashing at every wall, chimney, vent and skylight, the gutters and drainage, the attic and ceilings inside, and the structure (sagging, soft deck, rot at the edges). Use the lists below from the ground and from inside; leave anything that needs walking on the roof to a professional. For a full roof inspection, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
What should you check from the ground?
- Roof lines: does the ridge run straight, or does any section dip or sag?
- Missing, lifted, curled or cracked shingles; slipped or broken tiles; loose metal panels or trim.
- Dark streaks, moss or bare patches where the surface granules have worn away.
- Flashing that is rusted, bent, lifted or held on only by sealant.
- Gutters that sag, pull away from the fascia or overflow during rain.
- Fascia and soffit boards with stains, peeling paint or rot, which point to water getting behind the gutter or drip edge.
- Branches touching or overhanging the roof.
Binoculars and photos from each side of the house make it easy to compare year to year.
What should you check inside and in the attic?
- Ceiling and wall stains, peeling paint or bubbling near exterior walls and around chimneys, skylights and light fixtures.
- In the attic, with a flashlight: water stains or dark spots on the underside of the roof deck and rafters, especially around vents and chimneys.
- Daylight showing through the roof boards.
- Damp, compressed or stained insulation.
- Mold, a musty smell or condensation, which can mean poor ventilation rather than a leak.
- Blocked soffit vents or insulation pushed against the roof deck at the eaves.
What does the checklist add for each roof type?
| Roof type | Check |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Granule loss, curling or cupping, cracked or missing tabs, lifted edges after wind, nail heads backing out |
| Clay or concrete tile | Cracked, slipped or missing tiles; mortar at hips and ridges; the underlayment beneath, which does the waterproofing and ages first |
| Metal | Loose or backed-out fasteners, worn washers, rust at cut edges and fasteners, open seams, failed sealant at trim |
| Flat or low-slope | Ponding after rain, open seams, blisters, cracking or bare spots in the surface, clogged drains and scuppers, flashing at parapets and curbs |
For flat roofs in more detail, use the flat roof maintenance checklist; for tile, see the tile roof inspection guide.
What do roof inspectors look for that you cannot see?
A professional inspection walks the roof and checks what the ground view misses:
- Soft spots underfoot that mean a wet or rotted deck.
- The condition of flashing up close, including step flashing hidden under the covering at walls.
- Seals at plumbing vents, exhaust vents and skylights.
- Underlayment exposed at valleys and edges.
- Ventilation balance between the eaves and the ridge.
- Signs of earlier repairs done with sealant alone.
The result should be a written report with photos, the problems ranked by urgency, and what each one needs. For how an inspection pays off, read how a roof inspection can save money on repairs and replacements.
When should you run the checklist?
- Once a year, before the rainy season, so repairs are done while the roof is dry.
- After a storm with strong wind or heavy rain.
- Before buying or selling a home.
- After other trades work on the roof (solar, HVAC, satellite).
- On a new roof, before the final payment: permit final signed off, flashing new where promised, no nails or scraps left behind.
See why annual roof inspections matter for the reasoning behind a yearly check.
What should you do with what you find?
- Photograph every item and note where it is.
- Deal with active leaks first: protect the inside and call for a repair.
- Schedule repairs for flashing, seals and missing pieces before the next rain.
- If several items point to an aging roof, ask for a repair-or-replace assessment rather than piecemeal fixes.
NEMA Roofing inspects roofs from five locations (Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Tarzana, Woodland Hills and Downey) across Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties; our roof inspection service explains what the visit includes. To book an inspection, call NEMA Roofing at 866-631-3366.
