Summer Roof Inspection Checklist for Evansville Homeowners

Summer is the ideal time to inspect your roof. The weather is dry, days are long, and you have time to address any issues before fall storm season arrives. More importantly, summer inspections catch damage from the previous winter and spring storm season — damage that may not have caused a visible leak yet but will if left unaddressed.

Here is a complete checklist you can work through from the ground and from inside your attic, plus guidance on when to call a professional.

The Evansville area experiences two peak periods of roof stress: spring storm season (March–June) and winter (December–February). A summer inspection — ideally in July or August — lets you assess the cumulative damage from both.

Hail events from spring storms may have damaged shingles in ways that are not immediately visible as leaks. Wind events may have lifted flashing or broken shingle seals. Winter freeze-thaw cycles may have cracked sealants around penetrations. All of these issues are best caught and repaired in summer, before fall brings another round of heavy rain and wind.

You can assess a significant amount of roof condition without leaving the ground. Use binoculars for a closer look.

Walk the perimeter of your home and examine each roof plane:

• Missing shingles: Bare patches of dark decking visible from the street indicate missing shingles. These need immediate attention — every rain event causes further damage.
• Curling or cupping: Shingle edges that curl upward (cupping) or downward (curling) indicate moisture damage or age-related failure. Widespread curling means the roof is approaching end of life.
• Cracked or broken shingles: Visible cracks or splits in shingles allow water infiltration.
• Granule loss: Look for bald patches on shingles where the protective granule coating has worn away. Some granule loss is normal; widespread bald patches indicate significant aging or hail damage.
• Sagging: Any visible sagging or unevenness in the roof plane indicates structural issues — decking damage, rafter problems, or long-term water damage. This requires professional assessment.

The ridge (peak) and hip lines are the most exposed parts of the roof:

• Ridge cap condition: Ridge cap shingles should lie flat and uniform. Lifted, displaced, or missing ridge cap is a common wind damage pattern.
• Straight ridge line: The ridge line should be straight and level. Any dips or waves indicate structural issues.

Flashing is the metal that seals roof penetrations and transitions. It is the most common source of leaks:

• Chimney flashing: Look for lifted or separated metal at the base of the chimney. Gaps between the flashing and chimney masonry are a common leak point.
• Pipe boots: The rubber boots around plumbing vent pipes degrade over time. Look for cracked or collapsed rubber.
• Valley flashing: The metal in roof valleys (where two roof planes meet) should lie flat with no visible gaps or rust.
• Skylights: Flashing around skylights should be tight against the frame with no visible gaps.

Gutters tell you a lot about shingle condition:

• Granule accumulation: A significant amount of granules in the gutters after a rain indicates shingles are shedding their protective coating — a sign of aging or hail damage.
• Gutter attachment: Gutters should be firmly attached to the fascia with no sagging or pulling away.
• Downspout extensions: Downspouts should direct water at least 4–6 feet away from the foundation.

Your attic reveals roof problems that are invisible from outside. Check it on a bright day:

With the attic light off, look for any daylight coming through the roof deck. Any visible daylight indicates a gap, crack, or missing shingle that needs immediate repair.

Look for dark staining on rafters, sheathing, or insulation. Fresh stains (darker, possibly still damp) indicate an active or recent leak. Old stains (lighter, dry) indicate a past leak that may or may not have been repaired.

Important: Water stains in the attic do not always appear directly below the entry point. Water travels along rafters before dripping. If you find a stain, trace it upward toward the ridge to find the likely entry point.

• Depth: Indiana code requires R-49 to R-60 for attic insulation. Measure the depth — blown fiberglass should be 15–19 inches, blown cellulose 12–15 inches.
• Wet or compressed insulation: Wet insulation loses its R-value and indicates a leak. Compressed insulation (often from foot traffic) also loses effectiveness.
• Insulation blocking soffit vents: Insulation that has migrated to cover soffit vents blocks attic ventilation. Baffles should be installed to maintain airflow channels.

• Soffit vents: Verify they are open and unobstructed.
• Ridge vent: Should be visible along the peak; check that it is not blocked by debris.
• Signs of condensation: Frost or moisture on the underside of the roof deck in winter (check photos if you have them) indicates inadequate ventilation.

• Rafter condition: Look for any cracked, split, or sagging rafters.
• Sheathing condition: The plywood or OSB decking should be solid with no soft spots, delamination, or rot.

• Clogged gutters: Clean them yourself or hire a gutter cleaning service.
• Debris accumulation: Remove leaves, branches, and debris from valleys and around penetrations.
• Downspout extensions: Add or extend downspout extensions to direct water away from the foundation.

• Missing or damaged shingles: Shingle replacement requires proper nailing, sealing, and color matching. Improper DIY repairs can void your warranty.
• Flashing issues: Reflashing a chimney, skylight, or valley requires experience to do correctly.
• Any structural concerns: Sagging, soft spots, or damaged rafters require professional assessment.
• Suspected hail damage: Hail damage is often subtle and requires a trained eye to document properly for an insurance claim.
• Active leaks: If you have water intrusion, call a professional immediately.

A professional inspection is recommended:

• After any significant storm — hail, high winds, or tornado-adjacent events
• Every 3–5 years for roofs under 15 years old
• Annually for roofs over 15 years old
• Before listing your home for sale — buyers will have the roof inspected; know what they will find
• After purchasing a home — especially if roof age is unknown

Rock's Roofs provides free inspections throughout Evansville, Newburgh, Henderson, Owensboro, and the Tri-State area. We provide a written report with photos documenting all findings.

Call (812) 459-2139 or schedule your free inspection online.

Related reading:

• What to Expect During a Roof Inspection
• Roof Inspection Checklist: What Inspectors Look For
• Fall Roof Maintenance Checklist for Evansville Homeowners