Fall Roof Inspection Checklist

Fall on the Mid-Coast is the last easy window before ice, wind, and short days make roof work harder. Most of this list takes about 20 minutes from the ground. The rest is what we check when we walk a roof and look in the attic.

If something looks off, stop. Do not climb a wet or steep roof. Call (207) 200-1053 and we will come take a look for free.

What you can check from the ground

1. Gutters and downspouts

Leaves and pine needles pack fast this time of year. Clogged gutters send water under shingles and into fascia. They also set you up for ice dams once snow starts. Look for overflowing corners, sagging sections, and downspouts that dump against the foundation instead of away from the house.

2. Shingles you can see

From the driveway or a neighbor's vantage, look for curled edges, bald spots, or granules collecting in the gutters. After a windy stretch, check the yard for tabs that blew off. A few missing pieces now is a leak later.

3. Flashing at chimneys, vents, and valleys

Flashing is the thin metal that keeps water out of the joints. Rust, lifted edges, or cracked sealant around a chimney or plumbing vent is a common fall find. Valleys collect debris. If you see a dark, packed line of leaves in a valley, that water has nowhere to go.

4. Soft spots and stains inside

Walk the attic if you can do it safely. Look for daylight through the deck, damp insulation, or dark stains on the underside of the roof. In living spaces, check ceilings near exterior walls after a rain. A small stain is still a leak.

5. Trees and shade

Branches that scrape the roof grind granules and hold moisture. Trim what you can from the ground, or hire someone who works in trees. Moss and algae love a shaded Maine roof. They do not always mean failure, but they do mean the surface stays wet longer.

What we check that you should not

A full inspection includes walking the planes, checking ridge caps, fasteners, ice-and-water coverage at eaves, and ventilation. We also look at decking condition when we can see it from the attic. That is the work behind our season-by-season roof maintenance guide.

If you are already thinking about replacement timing, read when you should replace a roof before winter. September and October still have workable weather. November does not.

A 20-minute order of operations

• Walk the perimeter after a dry morning. Note gutters, downspouts, and fascia.

• Scan the roof planes for missing or curled shingles.

• Look at chimney, vent, and valley lines for debris or lifted metal.

• Check the attic and interior ceilings for moisture.

• Write down anything you cannot explain, then call us.

When to skip DIY and call us

Steep pitch, two-plus stories, ice already forming, or any active leak. Also call if the roof is more than about 15 to 20 years old and you have not had a pro on it in a while. We offer free inspections across the Mid-Coast. No pitch. A clear picture of what winter will do to that roof.

Schedule here: mainecoastroofing.com/contact or call (207) 200-1053.