Seasonal roof maintenance checklist

A simple Baltimore-area checklist by season. Look from the ground and the attic. Call us when something looks off.

I'm often up on a roof, so a text usually reaches me fastest, but call anytime.

Why a seasonal look helps

Most roof failures we see started small. A missing shingle after a spring storm. A clogged valley in the fall. Ice at the edge in winter. Catching those early keeps the repair small.

For repairs, see roof repair.

Spring

Check the yard for shingles blown off over winter. Look at flashing around chimneys from the ground. Clear gutters of seed pods. Peek in the attic for new stains after hard rains.

Summer

Look for cracked sealant at vents and skylights. Flat roofs can blister in heat. Trim back branches that rub the roof. Listen for animals in the soffit early in the morning.

Fall

Clean gutters after the main leaf drop. Clear valleys you can see safely from a window or the ground. Check that downspouts dump water away from the foundation. Schedule bigger repairs before the cold sets in.

Winter

Watch for ice at the roof edge. Clear snow from vents and around the chimney base if you can do it safely from the ground. After a freeze-thaw stretch, look for new ceiling stains.

Wondering if it can be fixed while it's raining or cold? Here's what can be repaired in the rain or in winter.