How often should you inspect your roof?

By The T.A.P. Team · April 2024 · 5 min read

As a rule of thumb, have your roof inspected about twice a year — once in spring and once in fall — plus any time a major hail or wind storm rolls through North Texas. Roofs fail slowly and quietly: a lifted shingle or cracked boot lets water in for months before a ceiling stain finally appears. Regular inspections catch those small problems while they're cheap to fix. Here's a sensible schedule, what you can check yourself, and when it's time to get a pro on the roof.

The twice-a-year rhythm

Spring and fall are the natural checkpoints: spring catches damage from winter and early storm season, and fall gets the roof ready for the next round. Twice a year is enough for most roofs to stay ahead of trouble, and it pairs naturally with other seasonal home maintenance like cleaning the gutters. Older roofs, or ones under heavy tree cover, are worth checking a little more often.

Always inspect after a storm

The other rule is event-based: after any significant hail or high-wind event, get the roof looked at even if nothing seems wrong from the ground. Hail bruises and wind lifts often aren't visible from the yard, but they start the clock on leaks — and insurance claims have time limits. A prompt post-storm inspection is how you catch hail damage and storm damage in time to act.

What you can check yourself

From the ground with binoculars, look for missing, curling, or cracked shingles, damaged flashing, and debris or granules collecting in the gutters. Inside, glance at your ceilings for stains and pop your head into the attic with a flashlight to look for daylight, water stains, or a musty smell. This ground-and-attic check is safe and catches a lot — what it can't do is safely assess the roof surface up close.

When to call a pro

Walking a roof is genuinely dangerous, and trained eyes catch subtle hail bruising and flashing issues a homeowner misses — so leave the on-roof inspection to a professional, especially after a storm or if you spot any warning sign. Most reputable roofers, ours included, offer a free roof inspection. Pair inspections with routine roof maintenance to get the most life out of the roof.

Roof inspections in North Texas

DFW's hail and wind seasons make post-storm inspections especially important here — a lot of damage is invisible from the ground until it leaks. We provide free inspections across McKinney, Frisco, and Allen. See our roofing team.