Roof Inspection Checklist: Shingle, Flat and Storm Damage

A roof inspection checklist lists every part of a roof a roofer has to look at on a visit: the covering, the flashing and penetrations, gutters and drainage, the attic, and on flat roofs the membrane and drains. The checklist below works for shingle and low-slope commercial roofs, covers storm damage, and ends with what belongs in the inspection report.

It is a field checklist for roofing contractors and roof inspectors. Manufacturer warranty terms, your local building code and the insurer can all ask for more, so treat it as a starting point.

Reviewed November 7, 2026.

How often to inspect a roof

Most roofs need an inspection at least twice a year, in spring and fall, and again after any storm with hail or high wind. The common triggers are:

• Spring: find winter damage from ice, snow load and freeze and thaw.
• Fall: clear debris and fix small leaks before the winter.
• After a storm: document hail and wind damage while it is fresh, before the owner files a claim.
• Before a sale or a new policy: buyers, lenders and insurers often want a dated report with photos.
• After other trades work on the roof: HVAC, solar and satellite installs are a common source of new leaks.

Before you go up

A safe and complete roof inspection starts on the ground.

• Pull the last report, the roof's age, the material and any warranty on file.
• Ask the owner where and when they have seen leaks or stains.
• Check the weather; skip a wet, icy or windy roof.
• Set the ladder on firm ground and tie it off; use fall protection on steep or high roofs.
• Walk the perimeter first and photograph each elevation, so the report shows the whole roof.
• Bring a camera or phone, binoculars, a moisture meter, chalk, a tape and a flashlight for the attic.

Shingle roof inspection checklist

On a steep-slope roof, the covering check looks for anything that lets water reach the deck.

• Missing, cracked, curled or cupped shingles
• Lifted tabs or broken seal strips after wind
• Granule loss, with granules piled in gutters or at downspouts
• Exposed or popped nails
• Soft spots or sagging that point to a wet or rotted deck
• Moss, algae or debris holding moisture
• Ridge and hip caps in place and sealed
• Drip edge present and straight at eaves and rakes

On tile, metal or slate, check for cracked or slipped tiles, loose or backed-out fasteners, failed sealant at seams and rust.

Flashing, penetrations and gutters checklist

Most roof leaks start at flashing and penetrations, not in the open field of the roof.

• Chimney flashing: step and counter flashing sealed, no gaps at the mortar line, cricket in place on wide chimneys.
• Wall and step flashing: intact where the roof meets a wall or dormer.
• Valleys: clear of debris, metal or woven shingles intact, no cut shingle edges lifting.
• Pipe boots and vents: rubber collars not cracked, vents secure and screened.
• Skylights: flashing kit intact, no condensation or staining around the frame.
• Gutters and downspouts: clear, sloped to drain, fastened, and discharging away from the foundation.
• Soffit and fascia: no rot, gaps or signs of animals.

Attic and interior checklist

The attic shows what the roof hides, so check it on every residential inspection.

• Daylight through the deck, around penetrations or at the ridge
• Water stains, wet insulation or rusted nail tips on the underside of the deck
• Rot, delamination or mold on the sheathing and rafters
• Ventilation: intake and exhaust vents open and balanced
• Bathroom and dryer fans vented outside, not into the attic
• Ceiling stains in the rooms below, matched to their spot on the roof

Flat and commercial roof inspection checklist

On a low-slope roof, the inspection follows the water: where it lands, where it sits and where it leaves.

• Membrane: no splits, blisters, punctures, shrinkage or exposed scrim.
• Seams and laps: fully adhered, with no open or fishmouthed edges.
• Ponding: NRCA defines ponding as water still on the roof more than 48 hours after rain; mark and photograph each area.
• Drains and scuppers: clear, strainers in place, water flowing to the downspouts.
• Perimeter: edge metal and parapet coping secure, wall flashing tight, no gaps at terminations.
• Rooftop units: curbs flashed, condensate lines not draining onto the roof, access panels closed.
• Penetrations: pitch pans filled, pipe and conduit flashings sealed.
• Expansion joints: covers intact and watertight.
• Walkways: pads in place along service routes, no foot-traffic wear elsewhere.
• Underside: ceiling tiles, deck and insulation below checked for stains and wet spots.

Storm and hail damage checklist

After a storm, the goal is a record an adjuster can't argue with: dated photos of each type of damage, with its location on the roof.

• Photograph every elevation and slope before you touch anything.
• Check soft metals first: vents, gutters, downspouts and AC fins show hail dents clearly.
• Mark hail hits on shingles with chalk and photograph them next to a tape measure.
• Many adjusters use a 10 by 10 foot test square on each slope; count and photograph the hits inside it.
• Record wind damage: creased, lifted or missing shingles, and which direction the wind came from.
• Note interior leaks and their dates, matched to their spot on the roof.
• Write down the storm date, so the report ties the damage to it.

For water that already got inside, our guide to water damage documentation for insurance claims covers the drying records adjusters ask for.

What goes in a roof inspection report

A roof inspection report records what was checked, what was found and what should happen next, with a photo for every defect. Include:

• Property address, owner or manager, and the date of the inspection
• Inspector's name, company and license number where your state requires one
• Roof type, material, approximate age and number of layers
• Each area checked with its condition: good, needs repair or failed
• A photo of every defect, with a short note on where it is
• Moisture readings and ponding areas on flat roofs
• Estimated remaining life of the roof
• Recommended repairs, in order of priority, with a price for each
• Signature of the inspector and, where needed, the owner

A report with clear photos and a price beside each repair is easier for the owner to approve, and it is the record your crew needs if a warranty or insurance question comes up later.

Run this checklist in Clevra

You can build this checklist once in Clevra and use it on every roof. Add sections for the exterior, flashing, attic, flat roof and storm damage, with yes or no questions, number fields for readings, photo questions and a signature. Mark the critical ones required so an inspection can't close with the flashing section blank.

• Attach the checklist to every job with your roof inspection service, so crews never pick the wrong form.
• Your crew fills it in on the roof in the phone's browser or the Technician app (iOS beta), adding up to 30 photos per photo question.
• Switch on Client report and Clevra issues a numbered PDF with your logo, photos, a sign-off and a revision history, sent by email or a secure link.
• Turn each repair into an estimate before you leave the property.
• Book the spring and fall visits as a recurring job on the schedule.

Clevra makes its own PDF report; it doesn't file insurance claims for you. Checklists and inspection reports come with Pro and Business. See checklists, inspection reports and our roof inspection software page.

Roof inspection FAQ

How often should a roof be inspected?

Most roofers and roofing manufacturers recommend at least two inspections a year, in spring and fall, plus one after any storm with hail or high wind. Commercial owners often add a check after work by other trades on the roof.

What does a roof inspection include?

A roof inspection covers the roof covering, flashing and penetrations, gutters and drainage, the attic or underside of the deck, and on flat roofs the membrane, seams, drains and rooftop equipment. It ends with a report that lists each finding with photos.

How long does a roof inspection take?

A typical shingle roof on a house takes 45 to 90 minutes, including the attic. A commercial flat roof can take several hours, depending on its size and the number of rooftop units and penetrations.

What should a roof inspection report include?

The property, roof type and age, the date and inspector, each area checked with its condition, photos of every defect, the estimated remaining life, and the recommended repairs in order of priority. Sign it and date it.

Can I do a roof inspection checklist on a phone?

Yes. In Clevra your crew fills the checklist on site, adds photos to each question and a signature, and the office sends the PDF report the same day. Checklists are on the Pro and Business plans.

Try it on your next roof

Build the checklist once, run it on one roof, and send the report before you leave the driveway. The Free plan has no end date, and Pro or Business are free for 14 days, no card needed.

Get Started for Free or Book a Demo.

Source: NRCA Roofing Manual glossary, definition of ponding. Check your manufacturer's warranty terms and local code for anything stricter.