Roof maintenance for homeowners
Simple, ground-level habits that help you catch roof problems earlier, and where a professional inspection is still necessary.
Hire Best Pros Editorial Team · Updated August 24, 2026
Most useful roof maintenance happens from the ground, from the gutters and from inside the attic. Watch for granules collecting at downspouts, keep gutters clear so water leaves the roof, check the attic after heavy rain, and have a professional inspect the roof periodically and after significant storms. Maintenance reduces surprises. It does not replace a professional inspection or repair.
A few times a year, from the ground
- Scan each slope with binoculars for lifted, missing or curling shingles
- Look at the flashing lines around chimneys, skylights and wall junctions
- Check downspout outlets for shingle granules, which are a sign of surface wear
- Note any sagging along the ridge or between rafters
Inside the attic after heavy rain
- Look for daylight at the roof deck
- Check for damp insulation, dark staining or a musty smell
- Confirm bath and kitchen fans vent outside rather than into the attic
- Feel whether the attic is unusually hot, which points to a ventilation problem
Keep water moving
Gutters are roof maintenance. When they clog, water backs up under the shingle edge and works into the fascia and decking. Clear them at least twice a year, more often under heavy tree cover, and make sure downspouts discharge away from the foundation.
Seeing something you would rather have looked at?
Find roofing helpLeave these to a professional
- Walking the roof surface, especially when it is wet, steep or already damaged
- Pressure washing shingles, which strips granules
- Sealing or patching flashing without knowing where the water actually enters
- Any work around a chimney, gas flue or electrical service mast
Common questions
- How often should a roof be professionally inspected?
- Many homeowners have the roof looked at every couple of years and after any severe wind or hail event. Older roofs and roofs under heavy tree cover benefit from more frequent attention.
- Do moss and algae damage a roof?
- Dark algae streaks are mostly cosmetic. Moss holds moisture against the surface and lifts shingle edges over time, so it is worth addressing, ideally by a professional who will not damage the granules doing it.