Roof maintenance calendar for Missouri homes

A roof lasts longer when someone looks at it a few times a year. Here is what to check each season in central and southwest Missouri, and what to do after a storm. Almost all of it can be done from the ground or the attic, no ladder needed.

Your year at a glance

When	What to check
Spring Mar to May	Damage from winter and early storms, gutters after seeds and blossoms fall, the attic after heavy rain
Summer Jun to Aug	Damage after each severe storm, branches touching the roof, dark streaks
Fall Sep to Nov	Leaves in gutters and valleys once the trees are bare, flashing and pipe boots before winter
Winter Dec to Feb	Ice and icicles along the edges, heavy snow, drips or frost in the attic
After any storm	Shingles in the yard, dented gutters and vents, new leaks
Once a year	A full inspection by a roofer (free from us)

Spring: March to May

Spring is storm season here. The National Weather Service office in Springfield lists April and May as the area’s two most active months for large hail.

• Walk around the house and look for missing, lifted or creased shingles after the winter wind.
• Look for granules piled at the bottom of the downspouts.
• Clean the gutters after the seeds and blossoms come down.
• After a heavy rain, check the attic and top-floor ceilings for new stains.
• Trim branches that touch or hang over the roof.

Summer: June to August

• After every severe storm, do the quick storm check below.
• Look for dark streaks (algae) on shady, damp parts of the roof.
• Keep branches trimmed back from the roof.
• Make sure attic vents aren’t blocked by insulation or stored boxes.

Fall: September to November

Fall is the check that gets your roof ready for winter. The Springfield weather office also notes a smaller second hail season in September.

• Once the trees are mostly bare, usually around Thanksgiving in central and southwest Missouri, clean the gutters and clear the leaves out of the valleys.
• Look at the flashing around chimneys and walls and the rubber boots around vent pipes before freeze-thaw season starts.
• Make sure the downspouts carry water away from the foundation.
• See why it matters in our gallon-of-water test and the Fall Gutter Checklist.

Winter: December to February

• Stay off the roof. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association warns never to climb onto a wet or snow-covered roof.
• If heavy snow needs to come off, use a roof rake or a soft broom from the ground. Never let a shovel touch the shingles.
• Watch for thick ice or big icicles along the edges. They can be a sign that heat is escaping into the attic, and the ice can back water up under the shingles.
• Check the attic for frost or drips on the underside of the roof.

After any storm

Hail, high wind or a heavy downpour? Do this in the first day or two:

1. Stay safe and stay off the roof.
2. Walk around the house. Look for shingle pieces in the yard and dents in the gutters, downspouts, metal vents and air conditioner.
3. Check the attic and ceilings for new leaks.
4. Take photos and video of any damage, and write down the date and time of the storm.
5. If water is coming in, have a roofer put on a tarp, and keep your receipts. The Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance advises making temporary repairs to prevent more damage.
6. Call your insurance company as soon as you can, and let them inspect before any permanent repairs.
7. Be careful with contractors who knock on your door after a storm, and don’t pay the full bill before the work is done.

More help: roof warning signs, with photos, does hail damage mean a new roof? and storm restoration.

Set yearly reminders

Tap a reminder to add it to your Google Calendar. It repeats every year. On an iPhone, set a repeating reminder for the same dates.

• Spring roof check (April 1)
• Summer storm-season check (June 15)
• Fall roof and gutter check (November 20)
• Winter attic check (January 15)

Rather not do it yourself?

ShingleCare+ is $99 a year: we clear debris from the roof and valleys, clean the gutters (or gutter guard tops), seal exposed nail heads and pipe boots, and send you a Roof Health Report with photos. Seeing a problem now? Book a free roof inspection below.

Keep reading

• Roof warning signs: what to look for
• Fall Gutter Guide
• Free Fall Gutter Checklist
• Leaves in roof valleys: a gallon-of-water test
• All homeowner resources

Common questions

How often should my roof be inspected?

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends once a year, ideally in spring after the severe weather has passed. We also recommend a check after any hail or high-wind storm.

When should I clean my gutters in Missouri?

At least twice a year: once in late spring after the seeds and blossoms fall, and once in late fall after the leaves are down. Homes with a lot of trees may need more.

Is it safe to check my roof myself?

From the ground, an upstairs window or the attic, yes. Getting on the roof is a different story: never go up on a wet, icy or steep roof, and leave two-story roofs to a pro. Our inspection is free.