Check your roof twice a year, in spring before hurricane season and again in fall, and after any strong storm. Clear debris from valleys and gutters, look at the shingles or tiles, flashing and vents from the ground, trim branches, and call a roofer for repairs.
A roof does not ask for much. A few looks a year, from the ground, catch most problems while they are still small repairs.
Check the roof twice a year, in spring before hurricane season and in fall, and again after any strong storm. Clear debris, look at shingles or tiles, flashing and gutters, trim branches, and call a roofer for repairs.
Roof maintenance is the small, regular work that keeps a roof from needing big work. It is mostly looking, clearing and noticing. The checklist below fits Florida because Florida roofs face things other states do not: heat, salt air near the coast, afternoon storms and a hurricane season that runs from June 1 to November 30.
Who does it? You can do the first pass from the ground. A roofer handles anything on the roof itself. When does it matter? NRCA, the roofing contractors' trade group, advises inspecting a roof at least twice a year, preferably in spring and fall, and again after severe weather such as a hurricane, tornado or hailstorm. State Farm gives the same twice-a-year advice. IBHS, the insurance industry's research group, adds a professional inspection once a year and after major storms.
Why does it pay off? A lifted shingle, a cracked tile or a dry flashing seam is a short repair when caught early. Left alone, the same spot lets water into the deck and the attic. Our roof maintenance service page explains how Coastline helps with the repairs a checklist turns up.
Coastline repairs shingle, tile, metal and low-slope roofs and inspects with a written photo report. On tile, Josh usually flies a drone first. Send us what you found and we will tell you what it needs. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).
Spring is the big check before June 1. Summer is for quick looks after storms. Fall is the second yearly check, once the season ends on November 30.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Spring, before June 1 | Look over the whole roof from the ground. Clear leaves and debris from valleys and gutters. Check flashing and vents. Trim branches that touch or hang over the roof. Book a roofer for anything that looks off, so repairs are done before storm season. |
| June 1 to November 30 | Keep gutters and valleys clear so water drains. Look at the roof from the ground after each strong storm. Photograph any damage with the date. |
| After any severe storm | Walk the outside and look for missing, cracked or lifted pieces, torn flashing, and branches or debris on the roof. Check the attic and ceilings for new stains. |
| Fall, after November 30 | The second yearly check. Repeat the spring list, and look for anything the summer storms moved or loosened. |
| Once a year | Have a roofer look the roof over and give you a written report (IBHS). For metal roofs, the Metal Construction Association recommends an inspection at least once a year. |
The hurricane season dates come from the National Hurricane Center, which also puts the climatological peak at September 10. Our hurricane season roof prep guide goes through the pre-season steps in more detail.
Six things to check from the ground, with binoculars if you have them.
State Farm lists missing, curling, cupped, broken or cracked shingles, damaged material in valleys, and blisters as signs of trouble. On tile, look for cracked, broken or loose tiles, most of all at ridges, gable edges and eaves, as Florida's Division of Emergency Management advises.
Flashing is the thin metal that seals the roof at walls, chimneys and vents. Look for rusty, cracked or loose flashing, cracked pipe boots and loose vents. Seams here are common leak points.
Leaves and debris that stay in gutters and valleys hold moisture against the roof. State Farm says to keep valleys, gutters and downspouts clear so water drains. IBHS says gutters should be secured and directed to carry water at least 3 feet from the foundation.
Shingles are coated with small stones called granules. State Farm says heavy granule loss in gutters and downspouts may signal a problem. Our granules in the gutters guide explains what is normal.
Dark streaks on a shingle roof are usually algae. ARMA says the stains are common in warm, humid areas, especially the Gulf States. See the section below before you clean.
IBHS says to trim overhanging branches that could rub the roof or drop debris, and to remove dead or diseased trees that could fall on the home. Our trees near your roof page covers distances and who should do the cutting.
Stay on the ground. NRCA does not recommend that homeowners walk on a roof unless trained and equipped to do it safely, and the state's tile guide advises against walking on tile at all.
Go all the way around the house and look up at each slope. Binoculars help, as the state's tile guide suggests. Look for lines that sag, bare spots, and anything out of place.
Look for debris, loose straps and granules. If you have to climb a ladder, work with someone holding it, or leave it to a pro.
Check the metal around the chimney, vents and wall joints from below. Look for rust, gaps or lifted edges.
Note any branch that touches the roof, hangs over it, or looks dead. Do not trim large limbs yourself.
From inside, look for stains, damp insulation, daylight through the deck, and rusted nails. Air conditioner condensation can mimic a leak, so ask a pro if you are not sure.
Take photos and note the date. If a roofer visits later, your notes show what changed and when.
ARMA says cleaning is only temporary and warns against power washers and brushes, which can damage asphalt shingles.
ARMA, the asphalt shingle makers' trade group, says algae causes brown to black stains that can look like fungus, soot or dirt. The main culprit spreads through the air and is most common in warm, humid areas, especially the Gulf States. Light-colored roofs show it most.
ARMA says a diluted household bleach solution can lighten the stains, but the effect is temporary and the streaks may return. It advises leaving the solution on for 15 to 20 minutes, rinsing with a gentle spray, wearing eye protection and gloves, and protecting nearby plants. It also says do not scrub, and get the shingle maker's approval before using other chemicals or methods. Its direct warning: do not use a power washer or any type of brush or broom to clean algae off the roof surface.
A wet roof is slippery, so ARMA recommends professionals for the cleaning. If you are reroofing and algae is a worry, ARMA notes that algae-resistant shingles are made to hold off growth for long periods. Coastline's default shingle, Atlas Pinnacle Pristine, has Scotchgard algae resistance. Read black streaks on your Florida roof and pressure washing roof damage before you hire anyone to clean.
Anything that means getting on the roof, lifting tiles or shingles, resealing flashing, or replacing damaged pieces belongs to a roofer.
Walking a roof can do harm. Tile is brittle and can crack under a footstep. The state's tile guide says the hip, ridge and eave tiles are the most vulnerable, and older mortar on those tiles can fail at gusts of about 80 to 90 mph. Our walking on a tile roof page shows how a pro places each step to avoid cracking tiles.
On metal, the Metal Construction Association says the yearly inspection should look for debris, loose fasteners and seams that need sealing. Those are jobs for someone who works on metal roofs. On a low-slope roof, pooling water may mean the drains or the slope need work.
Coastline repairs shingle, tile, metal and low-slope roofs, and inspects them with a written photo report. On tile, Josh usually flies a drone over the roof first. When your checklist finds something, a report shows the problem, where it is, and whether it needs a repair now or can wait. For ballpark costs, see the roof repair cost guide.
"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
NRCA and State Farm both advise checking the roof at least twice a year, in spring and fall, plus after severe weather. In Florida, make the spring check happen before June 1, when hurricane season starts. IBHS adds a professional inspection once a year and after major storms.
Be careful. ARMA warns that power washers and brushes can damage asphalt shingles by loosening granules, and that a wet roof is slippery. It says bleach solution cleaning is temporary. It recommends professionals for cleaning, and the shingle maker's approval for any chemicals beyond a diluted bleach mix.
Yes. The Metal Construction Association recommends an inspection at least once a year, looking for debris, loose fasteners and seams that need sealing.
Often not. ARMA says algae causes brown to black stains that can look like fungus, soot or dirt, and that they are common in warm, humid areas like the Gulf States. Stains and real problems can sit side by side, so have a roofer look at the roof while you are asking.
IBHS says to trim overhanging branches that could rub the roof or drop debris, and to remove dead or diseased trees that could fall on the home. Large limbs near a roof are risky work, so let an arborist do the cutting. See our trees near your roof guide.
A written photo report shows each problem, where it is and what it needs. Reach out and we will set up a visit.
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