Spring Roof Inspection Checklist for DFW Homeowners and Property Managers

Ground-Level Visual Check (No Ladder Required)

Start at the ground. Walk the full perimeter of the building and observe each slope. Look for: shingles that are visibly curling at the edges or corners, missing shingles (a dark rectangle where a shingle used to be), shingles with significant granule loss (visible as dark, thin areas), or sections where the roof plane looks irregular — potential decking movement. Look at the gutters for granule accumulation — a significant amount of granules in the gutter after winter means shingles are losing material faster than they should. Look at the fascia and soffits for moisture stains or gaps. Walk the perimeter slowly. Take photos.

Attic Check (Critical and Underutilized)

Go into the attic on a sunny day and let your eyes adjust to the darkness. You're looking for two things: daylight (any pinhole or gap where you can see light coming through the decking is a potential water entry point) and water stains (brown rings or discoloration on the decking or insulation indicate past water intrusion). Check along the ridge, around any penetrations, and at the eaves. Also feel the decking near the eaves — soft, spongy wood indicates moisture damage that may require decking replacement. The attic check takes 10 minutes and catches problems that are invisible from the exterior.

Flashings, Penetrations, and Valleys

Most roof leaks don't start at mid-field shingles — they start at flashings, penetrations, and valleys. These are the details that require the most attention. From a safe ladder height or from the roof surface if you're comfortable, check: chimney flashing at all four sides (the back saddle flashing is the most common failure point), pipe boot rubber collars (cracks, separation, or UV degradation), skylight perimeter flashing, valley metal condition (corrosion, lifted edges), and any roof-to-wall flashings. In DFW's thermal cycling, step flashing can work loose over time from expansion and contraction — look for lifted edges or gaps between the flashing and the wall.

When to Call a Professional

Your ground-level and attic check tells you whether to schedule a professional inspection. Call a professional when: you see signs of active or past water intrusion from the attic, you spot significant shingle deterioration visible from the ground, you have a roof older than 15 years that hasn't been professionally inspected in the last two years, or you simply can't tell from the ground what you're looking at. JRH does spring inspection appointments across DFW and provides written reports with photos — not a sales pitch, an actual assessment. Call us at (469) 888-6903 to schedule before storm season.