How often should roof maintenance be done?
Short answer. Plan on a quick roof check twice a year, in spring as hail season gets going and in fall after the leaves drop, plus a look after any major storm. Have a professional inspection every few years while the roof is young, and every year once it passes about 15 years or if trees hang over it.
A simple yearly rhythm
- Spring: look for storm damage from the ground, check that gutters and downspouts flow, and peek in the attic after a hard rain.
- Summer: watch for ceiling stains after heavy afternoon storms, and check attic ventilation as heat builds.
- Fall: clear leaves and pine straw from gutters and valleys, or have someone do it, and trim branches back from the roof.
- Winter: check for sagging gutters and any leaks after cold rains.
- After every major storm: scan for missing shingles, lifted ridge caps, dented vents, and debris.
Items that wear out on a schedule of their own
- Pipe boots: the rubber collars crack in the sun and often fail well before the shingles do.
- Exposed sealant: at flashing and vents, it dries and shrinks over the years.
- Gutter fasteners: loosen as fascia ages.
See pipe boot leaks for what failure looks like.
When to bring in a professional
A roof under about 10 years old in good shade-free conditions may only need a professional look every few years and after storms. Older roofs, heavily treed lots, and homes with chimneys or skylights benefit from yearly inspections. Use the Georgia roof maintenance checklist for a full task list, and keep your photos from each check so changes are easy to spot.