The Atlantic hurricane season ends November 30, but your roof still needs a check. From the ground, look for missing, cracked or curling shingles, cracked tile, loose flashing and clogged drains. Check the attic for stains and damp insulation. Then book a professional inspection, because IBHS advises one a year.
When the season ends, the roof does not get a rest. November is a good month for a calm look at what the summer left behind.
The Atlantic season ends November 30, and November is a good time to look at a roof while memories of the summer's wind and rain are fresh and before the next season starts.
The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with a peak on September 10. It also says tropical activity sometimes occurs before and after those dates. NOAA's August 2026 outlook update gave a 75% chance of a below-normal season, with 7 to 13 named storms. A quiet season on paper still leaves a roof with months of sun, heavy rain and gusty afternoons on it, and one tropical system anywhere near Florida can stress a roof that was already tired.
Who should look. You can do the first pass yourself, from the ground. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) says owners should assess roof damage from ground level and not attempt repairs on their own, and that the closer look belongs to a professional roofing contractor. Never climb a roof for this.
When. Now through the winter, before the next season opens on June 1. Small things found in November are cheaper and easier to fix than the same things found in August.
Where on the roof. The checklist below follows the places IBHS and NRCA name: the roof surface, flashing, vent boots, valleys and drains. Our hurricane season roof prep guide covers the spring side of this. This page is the fall check.
Why it matters. The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) recommends a professional roof inspection once a year and after major storms. It also says to keep records of inspections, repairs and contractor visits for warranty and insurance purposes. A November look gives you something dated to put in that file.
We inspect shingle, tile, metal and low-slope roofs and send a written photo report. Josh reviews every job. Tile roofs often start with a drone flyover. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).
These are the items the IBHS and NRCA guidance names, plus what the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance says about tile.
IBHS lists loose, cracked, missing, curling or blistering shingles and worn granules. See our guides on cupping and curling and missing shingles after a storm.
The Tile Roofing Industry Alliance says broken tiles usually come from large hail or flying debris such as tree limbs, and rarely from wind alone. It also says a qualified roofer should inspect the underlayment before a tile repair. See tile roof cracking.
IBHS says metal roofs have their own checks, including rust. Look at fasteners, seams and cut edges from the ground. Our metal roof rust guide explains what is normal near salt air.
IBHS lists loose, bent or missing flashing, and gaps, rust or cracks around vents and chimneys. Sealant can age, and the rubber seal on a pipe boot can crack. See flashing failure and vent pipe leaks.
IBHS says to clear leaves, branches and dirt from valleys and gutters so water drains. NRCA adds that windblown debris should come out of drains and downspouts to head off drainage problems.
IBHS says to trim branches that could rub the roof or drop debris and to remove dead or diseased trees that could fall on the house. Our trees near a roof guide goes deeper.
Start from the ground, then check the attic and ceilings, write down what you find, and book a professional for anything you cannot judge.
Walk around the house and look at each roof slope. Binoculars help. NRCA's advice is to view the roof from ground level, since climbing without proper safety systems is dangerous.
Look for shingle pieces, tile fragments or flashing in the yard and gutters. NRCA also says to look for debris such as glass or branches that can damage a roof system, and to check that roof areas are sealed and attachments secure.
Take windblown debris out of gutters, downspouts and drains within safe reach. Use a ladder only if you are steady on one, and skip it if you are not.
IBHS says to check the attic for water stains, damp insulation and mold, and to make sure insulation does not block soffit vents. Our attic leak check shows what to look for.
A brown ring on a ceiling, a bubble in paint or a damp spot near an outside wall can mean a slow leak. Our ceiling water stain guide helps sort roof from plumbing.
Take dated photos of every roof slope, the attic and any stain. IBHS says to keep records of inspections and repairs. Send the photos to a roofer if you want a second opinion.
Keep water out first. Move belongings, catch drips and call a roofer about a temporary repair. Our guide on what to do until the roofer arrives has the steps.
IBHS says once a year and after major storms, and every year for a roof older than 5 years. NRCA says to have roofs in a storm's path checked even if they look fine.
A ground check finds loose pieces. It does not find a lifted flashing edge, a soft deck or tile underlayment that has gone brittle. NRCA says professionals can spot hidden damage that owners often miss, and recommends inspecting all roofs in a storm's path even if they look fine. IBHS says a roof older than 5 years should have an annual inspection. Our guide to how often to inspect a roof and what a roof inspection includes explain the visit.
| What you see | What it may mean | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Missing or lifted shingles | Wind lifted tabs or pulled them off. The underlayment may be exposed. | Photograph it and have a roofer check the area for a repair. |
| Granules in the gutters | The shingle surface is wearing. | Compare with the roof's age. See granules in gutters. |
| Cracked or slipped tile | Debris or hail struck it, or it shifted. | Have a roofer check the underlayment before tile is replaced. |
| Dark streaks | Usually algae, not structural damage. See black streaks on a roof. | Ask a roofer before you scrub or pressure wash. |
| Debris packed in valleys | Water slows down and can find a way under the covering. | Clear what is safe to reach, then ask a roofer about the rest. |
Be careful who you let up there. NRCA warns homeowners in storm areas to be wary of unsolicited contractors and of the lowest bid, and says that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Our roofing scam guide and license check guide help you vet a roofer. Our roof inspection service comes with a written photo report.
Repairs are common after a season. A bigger job can bring permit and code questions, and Hillsborough County spells out a 25% rule on older roofs.
If the check turns up widespread damage or an old roof near the end of its life, you will weigh a repair against a replacement. Our signs a roof has two or three years left and signs you need a new roof help with that.
Code can decide it. Hillsborough County's re-roof page says that for a roof installed before the 2007 Florida Building Code, replacing or recovering more than 25% of the roof area or section in any 12 months means the entire roof system or section must meet current code. Our 25% roof rule explainer covers the statewide picture.
Permits come into it too. Manatee County, Sarasota County, Pinellas County and Hillsborough County each run a permit process with inspections. Our local guides cover Manatee County roof permits and Hillsborough County roof permits, and our roof replacement page shows how we handle a full job.
"Josh was especially amazing. He was professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly so I felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in his work."Madison T.Roofing customer
"Good communication and did a great job."Rick R.Roofing customer, Florida Gulf Coast
"Highly recommend. Great communication. Great quality of work and very personable. Easy to work with. Will use again for home renovations."Justin S.Roofing customer, Florida Gulf Coast
The National Hurricane Center says the Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. It also says tropical cyclone activity sometimes occurs before and after those dates, so a roof that is still weak on December 1 is not out of danger. The season dates are a guide, not a guarantee.
From the ground, yes. NRCA says owners should assess roof damage from ground level and not attempt repairs on their own, and that a professional roofing contractor should do the closer assessment and repairs. Climbing without proper safety systems is dangerous, and a fall costs more than any roof.
IBHS recommends a professional roof inspection once a year and after major storms, and annual inspections for roofs older than 5 years. It also says to keep records of inspections, repairs and contractor visits. Our how-often guide goes into more detail on timing.
IBHS says to look for water stains, damp insulation and mold, and to make sure insulation does not block the soffit vents. Wet insulation should be replaced. A stain on the underside of the deck can point to where the water got in.
Keep water out and call a roofer. Coastline does temporary repairs and tarps, and our leak guide lists the steps to take until a roofer arrives. A small leak found now is easier to fix than the same one found in a summer storm.
We will inspect it, send a written photo report, and tell you plainly what needs work and what does not.
Leave your name and number. We typically call back the same day during business hours. Consent to texts is not required.
