How to inspect your roof and gutters from the ground (without climbing anything)

You can inspect most of your roof and gutters from the ground, with a walk around the house, binoculars and your phone camera, and you should do it at least once a year, ideally in the fall. You are looking for missing or slipped tiles, sagging or overflowing gutters, stains on walls and signs of water getting in. You do not need to go up on the roof, and you should not: falls from roofs and ladders cause serious injuries. Anything that needs climbing is a job for a professional.

Why the fall

Leaves, branches and debris collect in the gutters through autumn, and winter brings the heavy rain, snow or ice that exposes any weak point. A check before that gives you time to fix small problems while the weather is still good. If it is spring where you live, the same routine applies after winter.

Before you start

• Choose a dry, bright day and, if possible, the hour after rain: wet areas and overflowing spots show up.
• Bring binoculars (or the zoom of your phone camera) and a notebook or your phone to record what you see.
• Stay on the ground. Keep away from power lines and do not stand under branches or damaged parts of the roof.

Walk-around routine: 20 minutes

Walk all the way around the house, stopping at each side. For each one, look up at the roof edge, then at the wall.

The roof

• Tiles or slates. Missing, cracked, slipped or lifted ones. Look for dark patches or lines that are not straight.
• Flat roofs and membranes. From a window or an upper level, look for puddles that stay for days, blisters or cracks.
• Ridge, chimney and flashing. The metal or cement joints where the roof meets a chimney, a wall or a vent. Gaps and rust are common weak spots.
• Moss and plants. A lot of moss holds moisture and can lift tiles. Do not scrape it off from a ladder.
• Sagging. A dip in the roof line is a reason to call a professional soon.

The gutters and downspouts

• Overflow marks. Streaks down the wall below the gutter show that water is not draining properly.
• Sagging or detached sections, loose brackets, gaps at the joints.
• Plants growing out of the gutter, or leaves visible over the edge: a sign of a blockage.
• Downspouts. Check that water leaves the pipe and flows away from the foundation, not next to the wall.
• Pools of water at the base of the downspouts after rain.

The gutter cleaning page explains the usual rhythm. Cleaning gutters involves a ladder or work at height: if you do it yourself, work with someone holding the ladder, on firm ground and never in wet or windy weather, or hire a professional.

The walls

• Cracks, especially wide, diagonal or growing ones.
• Damp patches, stains or peeling paint, especially under the roof edge, windows and gutters.
• Green or black marks near the ground, which suggest splashback or rising damp.

This corresponds to the wall inspection task in our water damage guide.

Balconies, terraces and drains

Look at the drains and the surface: leaves, standing water or loose tiles. Clear what you can reach with a gloved hand.

Inside: what the roof shows from below

On a dry day after rain, look at the top-floor ceilings and the attic (if you can access it safely): stains, a musty smell, damp insulation or daylight coming through where it should not. These are the sign that water is already getting in.

What to do with what you find

| What you see | What to do | |---|---| | Debris in gutters, minor overflow | Clean the gutters (see above) | | Missing or slipped tile, damaged flashing | Call a roofer | | Sagging roof line or gutter | Call a professional soon | | Ceiling stains or damp | Call a roofer, and photograph for any insurance claim | | Cracks in a wall | Photograph, mark the end of the crack with a date and watch it |

Photograph everything with the date, even if you decide to wait. A record helps if you later need a professional or an insurer. Costs and warranties vary, so ask for a written quote and check what your policy covers.

If you rent or live in an apartment

The roof and the façade are usually the owner's or the building's responsibility. Your job is to report what you see to the landlord or the building manager, in writing, with photos. Balcony drains within your flat are often yours to keep clear. Read renting: what is yours for the usual split, which varies by country and contract.

Make it a yearly habit

A 20-minute walk once a year can save you an expensive surprise. HouseKiper reminds you of the roof inspection, the gutters and the walls at the right time of year. See the fall home maintenance checklist and the complete checklist.

How often should I inspect my roof?

At least once a year, and after storms or heavy snow. A ground-level check in the fall is a good habit.

Can I check my roof without going up?

Yes. Walk around the house, use binoculars or your phone's zoom and look at the ceilings and the attic from inside. Do not climb onto the roof.

How do I know if my gutters are blocked?

Streaks or stains on the wall below, water overflowing at the edge, plants growing in them or water pooling at the foot of the downspouts after rain.

When should I call a roofer?

When you see missing or damaged tiles, damaged flashing, a sagging roof line, or stains and damp on the ceilings.