Roof Maintenance Schedule

Last reviewed September 27, 2026 How we calculate

A little upkeep at the right time of year keeps a roof working to the end of its life. This builds a season-by-season schedule for your roof covering, adjusted for trees near the house and for snow, that you can print and keep.

Spring

Look over the roof from the ground with binoculars for anything lifted, cracked or missing after winter.
Clear the gutters and check the downspouts run freely.
Check the attic and top-floor ceilings for stains once the snow has gone.
Check the flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights from the ground.

Summer

Have branches cut back so they do not touch or hang over the roof.
Check the attic vents are clear, and that bathroom and kitchen fans vent outside.
Look for moss or algae starting on shaded slopes.
From a window or another safe viewpoint, check for water still lying on the roof two days after rain.

Autumn

Clear the gutters again once the leaves have fallen.
Check that the downspouts discharge well away from the house.
With binoculars, look for loose screws or worn washers on exposed-fastener panels.
Look from the ground for cracked or slipped tiles or slates.
Have the attic insulation and ventilation checked before winter; they are what prevent ice dams.

Winter

Watch for ice dams and heavy icicles along the eaves.
Clear heavy snow with a roof rake from the ground, never from the roof.
On a cold morning, check the attic for frost on nail tips, a sign of condensation.

Every few years

Have a roofer inspect the roof every few years, and after any severe storm.
Have cracked rubber boots around vent pipes replaced.
Have the membrane recoated if its manufacturer calls for it.
Have worn screws and washers on exposed-fastener panels replaced.

From the ground only. Everything here is done from the ground, a window or the attic. Anything that needs a ladder at the roof edge, or the roof itself, is a job to book a roofer for.

Why seasonal upkeep matters

Most of what shortens a roof’s life is slow: gutters that overflow for a season, branches that scrape, moss that holds water, ventilation that lets condensation build up. None of it is urgent on any given day, which is why a schedule helps.

What to leave to a roofer

Every task here is done from the ground, a window or the attic, or is something to book. Replacing flashing, resealing penetrations and anything that needs a ladder at the roof edge is safer and usually better done by a roofer.

Frequently asked questions

How often should roof gutters be cleaned?

At least twice a year, in spring and autumn, and more often if trees hang over the house.

Should I remove moss from my roof?

Moss holds water against the roof and lifts shingle edges, so it is worth dealing with, but not by scraping or pressure washing, which damages the surface. A roofer or a treatment made for your roof type is safer.

How often should a roofer inspect my roof?

Every few years for most roofs, more often as the roof ages, and after any severe storm.