Winter’s Over. Here’s What It Left on Your Roof.
A spring roof inspection is the simplest way to find out what a Miami Valley winter did to your home. Months of snow, ice, wind, and freeze-thaw cycles leave marks you can’t always see from the driveway, and spring is when small problems are still small.
This guide walks you through the seven spots to check, the Inside-Outside-Up method GAF recommends, and how to sort what you find into “call now,” “schedule soon,” and “keep an eye on it.”
Why a Spring Roof Inspection Matters
Winter is hard on roofs in quiet ways. Water slips into tiny gaps, freezes, expands, and thaws again, sometimes dozens of times in one season. Ice dams push meltwater under the bottom rows of shingles. Wind lifts tabs that the cold kept from re-sealing.
None of that is obvious in March. By June, it can be a ceiling stain. That’s why the National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspections at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall. A spring roof inspection catches winter’s damage before summer storms test it.
If ice dams were a problem this year, start with our guides to ice damage and preventing ice dams.
7 Spring Roof Inspection Checkpoints
Tap a number on the house to see what winter does to that spot and exactly what to look for.
Shingle field
- What winter does
- Freeze-thaw cycles and winter wind work at the seal strips and loosen tabs.
- What to look for
- Missing, cracked, curled, or creased shingles, and dark patches where granules wore away.
Ridge caps
- What winter does
- The peak takes the strongest wind, and caps are the first pieces to lift.
- What to look for
- Cracked or lifted ridge caps and exposed nails along the peak.
Chimney flashing
- What winter does
- Metal expands and contracts all winter, which pulls sealant loose.
- What to look for
- Bent, loose, or rusted flashing and gaps in the sealant at the chimney and walls.
Vents and pipe boots
- What winter does
- Rubber boots crack in the cold, and snow packs around roof vents.
- What to look for
- Split pipe boots, cracked vent housings, and raised nail heads nearby.
Eaves and drip edge
- What winter does
- Ice dams sit right here, pushing meltwater back under the shingles.
- What to look for
- Stains or rot on the fascia, lifted drip edge, and damaged shingles along the bottom row.
Gutters and downspouts
- What winter does
- Ice weighs down gutters and bends hangers; downspouts clog with debris.
- What to look for
- Sagging runs, pulled hangers, dents, and piles of shingle granules.
Attic, from inside
- What winter does
- Warm, moist air condenses on the cold deck all winter long.
- What to look for
- Daylight through the boards, dark stains, damp insulation, frost, or mold.
Inside, Outside, Up: How to Do a Spring Roof Inspection
GAF teaches homeowners the I.O.U. method: inside, outside, and up the ladder. You can handle the first two in an afternoon. The third is where we come in.
Inside: Start in the attic
On a sunny afternoon, take a flashlight into the attic and look up.
- Daylight through the roof deck
- Dark stains, streaks, or sagging boards
- Damp or matted insulation
- Frost or mold on the nails and deck
Outside: Walk the perimeter
Circle the house from the ground. Binoculars help, and the yard tells stories too.
- Missing, curled, or cracked shingles
- Granules in gutters and at downspout outlets
- Bent or loose flashing
- Sagging gutters or pulled hangers
Up: Leave the roof to us
GAF only suggests climbing if you’re comfortable and conditions are safe. Wet spring shingles are slick, so we’d rather you didn’t.
- Raised nail heads
- Hail bruising you can’t see from below
- Seal strips that never re-bonded
- Soft spots in the deck
Want to know what each layer does before you look? Our guide to parts of a roof explains the shingles, underlayment, flashing, and ventilation that a spring roof inspection checks.
Sort What Your Spring Roof Inspection Finds
Not everything is urgent. Here’s how we’d sort the most common spring findings.
Call this week
- Water stains on ceilings or in the attic
- Missing shingles or exposed underlayment
- Daylight through the roof deck
- A sagging section of roof
Schedule this spring
- Curled or cracked shingles in several spots
- Loose flashing or cracked pipe boots
- Heavy granule loss in the gutters
- Gutters pulling away from the fascia
Watch and recheck in fall
- A few granules after a storm
- Minor moss or algae streaks
- One loose gutter hanger
- Debris collecting in valleys
Flashing deserves a special look, because one small miss there causes a lot of leaks. Read about the #1 roof flashing mistake. Spotted dents or bruised shingles? Learn how hail affects roofing and what counts as storm damage.
What a Professional Spring Roof Inspection Adds
Your walk-around catches the obvious. A professional spring roof inspection catches what hides in plain sight, and it gives you a written record to compare against next year.
On the roof
- Seal strips tested by hand, not guessed from the ground
- Hail bruises and wind creases measured and photographed
- Pipe boots, vents, and valleys checked up close
In the attic
- Moisture readings on the deck and rafters
- Intake and exhaust ventilation compared for balance
- Insulation depth and air leaks around fixtures
On paper
- Photos of every finding, labeled by location
- Options sorted by urgency, with written pricing
- A baseline for your fall inspection
A spring roof inspection is also the right time to ask about your warranty. Many manufacturer warranties expect reasonable maintenance, and a dated report shows you’ve kept up your end. Read how coverage works in the warranty, and see why GAF storm-rated shingles matter if you’re weighing a replacement.
If your spring roof inspection turns up nothing at all, that’s a great result. File the report, enjoy the season, and plan your fall check.
Build a Spring Roof Inspection Photo Log
A five-minute photo log turns a vague worry into something you can act on. It also helps if you ever file a claim. GAF recommends clear photos and videos of any damage, a log of storm dates, and a copy of your contractor’s report.
Repeat it with every spring roof inspection and fall check, and you’ll start to see changes year over year, long before they become leaks.
- Photograph each side of the roof from the same spot in the yard.
- Snap the attic deck, the insulation, and any stains with the date showing.
- Scoop a handful of gutter debris and photograph any granules.
- Note storm dates from winter, especially hail or high wind.
- Save it all in one folder with your contractor’s report.
Spring Has Arrived: Is Your Home Ready?
We filmed this the first week of spring in 2017, and the advice hasn’t changed: after a long Ohio winter, take a careful look at your home before summer storms roll in.
Ready for the rest of your spring list? See our spring home improvement tips, and get your gutters ready with clean your gutters.
Spring Roof Inspection From a Local Family
Thrush & Son® has been checking Miami Valley roofs since Wilbur Thrush started the company in 1960. As a GAF President’s Club Contractor, we inspect from the attic up and show you photos of what we find. Read 65 years strong.
See finished projects in our project gallery, read homeowner reviews, and check our BBB profile.
Spring Roof Inspection FAQs
When is the right time for a spring roof inspection?
After the last hard freeze, once the snow is gone and the roof is dry. In the Miami Valley, that’s usually March or April. The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspections at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall.
Can I do a spring roof inspection myself?
Most of it, from the ground and the attic. Follow GAF’s Inside, Outside, Up method, but leave climbing to a pro. Damage like hail bruising is hard to spot without training.
What does winter damage look like?
Lifted or creased shingles, loose flashing, cracked pipe boots, sagging gutters, and stains inside the attic. Ice dam damage usually shows up first along the eaves.
Should I document what I find?
Yes. GAF recommends clear photos and videos, a log of storm dates, and your contractor’s report. That record helps if you file an insurance claim.
How old is too old for a roof?
Age alone doesn’t decide it, but if your roof is 15 years or older, or it has been through hail or high wind, a professional spring roof inspection is a wise call.
Does Thrush & Son inspect roofs?
Yes. We inspect from the attic up and give you photos and options in writing. Learn more about our roofing services.
Have a question we didn’t cover? We have answers.
Book Your Spring Roof Inspection
We’ll check the attic, the roof, the flashing, and the gutters, then walk you through photos and options in writing, with no pressure. Ask about financing if you need more than a fix.
