Our Roof Maintenance Checklist for Every Homeowner

A roof does not need constant attention, but it does need periodic attention, and the homeowners who stay ahead of small issues are usually the ones who get the most life out of their roof. Below is a simple checklist worth working through a couple of times a year, along with a short note for homes with a flat or low-slope TPO section.

Twice a Year: Gutters and Drainage

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts
• Check that downspouts direct water away from the foundation
• Look for gutters pulling away from the fascia or sagging under weight
• Confirm water is not pooling anywhere along the roofline after rain

Clogged gutters are one of the more common causes of water backing up under shingles at the roof edge, so this is worth doing before the wetter parts of the year and again in the fall once trees have dropped their leaves.

Once a Year: A Look at the Roof Itself

From the ground, or with binoculars, check for shingles that are missing, curling, or losing granules, and look at flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights for anything that looks lifted or damaged. It is also worth checking the attic for daylight coming through the roof boards, damp insulation, or a musty smell, since interior clues often show up before exterior ones become obvious.

This is also a good time to check for overhanging tree branches that have grown closer to the roof over the year. Branches that rub against shingles during wind wear away granules over time, and heavy limbs are a real risk during an ice storm or high wind event. Trimming back anything within a few feet of the roofline is a simple step that reduces both of those risks.

Keep an Eye on Ventilation

Good attic ventilation helps regulate temperature and moisture, which in turn helps shingles and the roof deck last longer. Blocked or insufficient ventilation can trap heat in summer and moisture in winter, both of which add wear over time. If vents look blocked by debris or nesting, that is worth clearing or having looked at.

Ridge vents, soffit vents, and gable vents each play a slightly different role in moving air through an attic, and a blockage in just one of them can throw the whole system off balance. A musty smell or unusually warm attic on a day that is not especially hot outside can both be signs that airflow is not working the way it should.

A Short Note on TPO and Low-Slope Roofs

Flat or low-slope sections covered in TPO roofing need a slightly different eye. Seams are the most common point of failure over time, so it is worth checking that they still look sealed and have not started to separate. Ponding water that lingers for more than a day or two after rain, along with any punctures or visible wear on the membrane, are worth flagging for a closer look rather than waiting for a leak to show up.

Debris tends to collect more easily on a flat or low-slope roof than on a pitched one, simply because there is less slope to carry leaves and branches off on their own. Clearing debris off a TPO section periodically, especially around drains, helps water move off the roof the way it is supposed to instead of pooling in one spot.

When to Bring in a Professional

A homeowner checklist is a good first line of defense, but it is not a substitute for a professional set of eyes, especially once a roof passes the 10 year mark, when more frequent inspections start to pay off. A trained eye catches things a homeowner checking from a ladder or the ground may miss entirely, like subtle flashing wear, early granule loss, or a soft spot in the decking that has not shown up as a leak yet. Jenco Construction offers free roof inspections and roof maintenance services across Oklahoma City, and as Terri Stubblefield put it in a review: 'Chad was really great when I needed a new roof, he took care of everything and was really professional.' Whether it is a seasonal checkup or a spot that has been bothering you, Jenco's roof maintenance service is a call away at (405) 720-2116.