Once a year is the baseline. Twice a year is better for older roofs, storm-prone areas, and homes with heavy tree cover. Plus one more inspection after any serious storm. The hard part isn't knowing the cadence — it's actually holding it.
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The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspections at least twice a year — spring and fall. Most homeowners get away with once a year if their roof is newer and the climate is mild. The frequency that's right for you depends on a few factors:
Once a year. Fall is usually the best slot — it catches summer wear and gets ahead of winter weather.
Twice a year, spring and fall. Add an extra inspection after any storm with high winds, hail, or heavy debris.
Within 30 days. Most insurance carriers require storm damage to be reported within 30 to 60 days for a claim to be valid.
A single inspection catches what's wrong on that day. The point of inspecting on a schedule is to catch what changes between visits. A loose shingle today is a leak in six months. A small flashing gap today is rotted decking by next year.
Skipping a year is rarely catastrophic. Skipping three or four years is almost always expensive. The damage that builds in those gaps is what turns a minor repair into a major one. Most roofers will tell you the same thing — the homeowners with cheap repairs are the ones who inspected regularly. The expensive ones aren't.
| Roof age | Minimum inspection frequency |
|---|---|
| 0–5 years | Once a year |
| 6–10 years | Once a year, twice if storm-prone |
| 11–15 years | Twice a year (spring + fall) |
| 16–20 years | Twice a year, plus after every major storm |
| 20+ years | Twice a year and start budgeting for replacement |
Asphalt shingle roofs typically last 20 to 30 years. Past that point, you're not just inspecting for leaks — you're tracking remaining life so a planned replacement doesn't turn into an emergency one.
The hardest case for cadence is the roof that looks fine from the ground. No missing shingles. No stains on the ceiling. Nothing visibly wrong. That's exactly when small issues are progressing under your nose. The whole point of an annual inspection is catching them before you can see them.
Waiting until you spot a problem means waiting until the problem is big enough to spot. By then, the underlying damage has had months to develop. See signs you need a roof inspection for what's already late, and the main roof inspection reminder page for setting up the system that prevents getting there.
Knowing you should inspect annually doesn't help if you don't actually book it. Most people intend to and then a year passes. A scheduled email reminder closes that gap — set the date, get notified before it, and follow-ups if you don't act on it. Set it to repeat yearly and the cadence holds itself.
Once a year is the baseline most roofing pros recommend. Twice a year is better for roofs over 10 years old, in storm-prone areas, or with heavy tree cover. Inspect again after any major wind, hail, or heavy rain event regardless of when the last inspection was.
A roof inspection is generally considered current for about 12 months under normal conditions. After that, the report is too old to reflect the roof's real state. Insurance companies, mortgage lenders, and home buyers typically want a report less than 6 to 12 months old.
Yes. Once a roof passes the 10-year mark, twice a year is the safer cadence — usually spring and fall. After 15 years, some insurers start asking for inspection reports as part of the renewal process. Older roofs fail in smaller, harder-to-spot ways before they fail in obvious ones.
Not every storm, but any storm with sustained winds over 50 mph, hail of any size, or significant debris should trigger one. The damage is often invisible from the ground. Most insurance carriers require storm damage to be reported within 30 to 60 days, so a quick post-storm check protects your claim window.
Yes. Even a brand-new roof should be inspected within the first year to confirm the install was done right. Many roofing warranties require periodic inspections to remain valid — skip them and you may void coverage. Read your warranty carefully.
Spring and fall. Spring catches damage from winter storms before summer heat makes it worse. Fall catches summer wear before winter weather hits. Both seasons typically have better roofer availability and milder weather for the work.
Free. No account. Pick the date once, get reminded every year. Plus a separate post-storm reminder when you need it.
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