Roof & Gutters.
Your roof and gutters are your home’s first defense against water — and on the Front Range, against hail and snow load too. Here’s what we look at, what commonly fails, and what you can stay ahead of.
What we check during an inspection
We evaluate the roof from the safest effective vantage point, plus the attic and interior for evidence of leaks.
✓ Roof covering
We note the material and approximate age and look for missing, curling, cracked, or worn shingles and exposed fasteners.
✓ Flashing & penetrations
We check flashing at chimneys, vents, valleys, and skylights — one of the most common leak sources.
✓ Gutters & downspouts
We check attachment, slope, and whether downspouts carry water well away from the foundation.
✓ Structure & decking
We look for sagging or deflection and note visible decking concerns from the attic.
✓ Attic ventilation
We assess ridge/soffit ventilation and airflow, which affect roof life and ice-dam risk.
✓ Leak evidence
We look for ceiling stains and attic moisture that point to active or past leaks.
Common problems we find
✓ Hail & wind damage
Extremely common on the Front Range — bruising, granule loss, and lifted or missing shingles.
✓ End-of-life shingles
Brittle, curling, or balding shingles on a roof near the end of its service life.
✓ Failed flashing
Cracked, rusted, or missing flashing at penetrations — a top reason roofs leak.
✓ Gutter problems
Clogged, sagging, or disconnected gutters that dump water right at the foundation.
✓ Ice dams
Backed-up meltwater from poor attic insulation/ventilation, forcing water under shingles.
✓ Improper repairs
Patchwork fixes, sealant over real problems, or too many shingle layers.
What you can maintain yourself
✓ Clean gutters twice a year
Spring and fall, and confirm downspouts extend 4–6 feet from the foundation.
✓ Look after storms
From the ground, scan for damaged or missing shingles after hail and wind.
✓ Trim overhanging branches
Keep limbs off the roof to reduce abrasion, debris, and pests.
✓ Insulate and ventilate the attic
The best defense against ice dams is a cold, well-ventilated roof deck.
✓ Act on stains fast
A small ceiling stain now is a cheap fix; ignored, it becomes a structural one.
✓ Get a pro eval when due
Have the roof professionally evaluated as it nears ~20 years or after major hail.
This guide is for general education. It reflects what we look for during a home inspection, not a substitute for a licensed professional. If you have a specific concern, please contact a licensed roofer — and of course, we’re always happy to take a look during an inspection.
More from our guides
Home Maintenance, Season by Season
A spring-through-winter checklist tuned for Front Range homes.
Read →Plumbing
Plumbing issues are some of the most common — and most expensive — problems we find. Here’s what we actually look at during an inspection, what tends to go wrong, and what you can stay ahead of yourself.
Read →Electrical
Electrical problems are among the most safety-critical things we find — and often the least visible. Here’s what we check, the red flags we look for, and what you can safely keep an eye on yourself.
Read →Concerned about your roof & gutters?
We’ll give your home a thorough, plain-English inspection and flag anything worth a closer look.