Why Katy homeowners should inspect twice a year
Two inspections a year catches most problems before they turn into interior damage. Katy sits in the Texas hail belt, deals with Gulf humidity, intense UV, and hurricane-force winds off the Gulf of Mexico, and every one of those chews on asphalt shingles. The NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association) recommends spring and fall inspections for exactly this reason. Spring catches hail damage from the March-to-May storm season. Fall catches anything loose before hurricane season peaks.
You do not need to climb a ladder for any of this. Walking the roof is genuinely dangerous even for experienced roofers, and one slip will cost you more than a replacement. Everything below can be done with your feet on the grass.
Tools you need (about $40 total)
- Binoculars (10x42 works well, around $30)
- Your phone camera with zoom
- A flashlight for the attic
- A notepad or the Notes app
- Closed-toe shoes and long pants for the attic portion
The 15-point Katy roof inspection checklist
Start at one corner of your house and walk clockwise all the way around. Take a photo at every step so you have a baseline to compare against next season.
- Missing shingles. Scan every slope. A missing shingle is a dark rectangle where one should be. Photograph the location.
- Curled or cupped shingles. Edges lifting up like fried bacon mean the asphalt has dried out. Common on 15-plus year old Katy roofs baked by Texas UV.
- Cracked or split shingles. Zoom in with binoculars. Cracks across the face (not just the tar line) are a failure point.
- Bald spots or dark streaks. Bare patches where granules are gone expose the asphalt to UV and will fail within a year or two.
- Sagging rooflines. Sight down the ridge line. It should be straight. Any dip means the decking underneath may be rotted or the structure is compromised.
- Granules in gutters or at downspout exits. A handful of granules after a fresh install is normal. A coffee can worth from a 10-year-old roof is not.
- Rust or gaps at flashings. Look at the metal around chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents, and where the roof meets walls. Rust stains on shingles below flashings are a red flag.
- Cracked or missing pipe boots. The rubber collars around plumbing vents are the number one leak source in Katy. They dry-rot from UV in 8-12 years.
- Moss, mold, or dark streaks. Black streaks running down shingles are Gloeocapsa magma algae, which is cosmetic but signals moisture retention. Moss is worse because it lifts shingle edges.
- Damaged or loose ridge caps. The cap shingles along the peak take the worst wind exposure. Check for lifted or missing pieces.
- Gutter separation or sagging. Gutters pulling away from fascia damage the fascia board and let water hit the foundation. Critical on Katy's clay soil.
- Clogged gutters. Packed with pine needles or leaves? Water backs up under shingles and rots the decking.
- Debris on the roof. Branches, tennis balls, kids' toys, anything that traps moisture against shingles.
- Soffit and fascia damage. Peeling paint, visible rot, wasp nests, or holes. Squirrels and roof rats are aggressive in Cypress and Cinco Ranch neighborhoods with mature trees.
- Attic check. Go into the attic on a sunny afternoon. Turn your flashlight off. Any daylight coming through the decking means a hole. Then turn it on and look for dark water stains on rafters, wet insulation, or mildew smell.
Red flags that mean call a pro today
Some findings are not wait-and-see. If you see any of these, get a professional inspection within a week.
- Visible daylight in the attic
- Any active ceiling stain or drip during or after rain
- A sagging or dipping ridge or slope
- Multiple cracked or missing shingles on the same slope (possible wind event damage)
- Dark streaks below flashings after a hard rain
- Wet insulation or a damp smell in the attic
- Shingles lifted or "creased" horizontally across the face (classic wind damage signature)
The last one matters for insurance. A creased shingle from 60 mph winds may still be lying flat, but the seal is broken and the next storm will blow it off. An inspector who knows what to look for can document this for a claim. Our insurance claim guide walks through how that process works in Texas.
What to photograph and save
Photos are your insurance currency. If a storm hits next month and you file a windstorm claim, "before" photos make the adjuster's job easy. Take these every inspection:
- One wide shot of each roof slope from the ground
- Close-ups of any chimney, skylight, or vent penetration
- Gutters at the corners (where separation starts)
- A shot of the inside of your gutters showing granule level
- Any flashing transition
- The attic decking and any stains
Save them in a dated folder. "2026-03 Roof" is enough. Do this every six months and you have a timeline that proves pre-existing condition if you ever need it.
How often and when to inspect
| When | What it catches |
|---|---|
| March / early April | Winter wear, early hail damage, cracked sealants |
| After any storm with 50+ mph winds or hail | Wind creasing, missing shingles, impact marks |
| Late September | Pre-hurricane-season check, loose ridge caps, clogged gutters |
| After a hurricane or tropical storm | Structural damage, peeled flashings, debris impact |
When a pro inspection is worth it
A ground walkaround is not the same as a trained inspector on the roof. A pro will walk every slope, check shingle adhesion by hand, inspect flashings up close, and test for soft decking. For any roof over 10 years old in Katy, schedule a professional inspection annually even if everything looks fine from the ground. Asphalt fails faster here than in the rest of the country because of the UV and humidity combo.
Jerry's Roofing does free inspections across Katy, Cypress, Cinco Ranch, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land, and Brookshire. No sales pitch, no scare tactics, just a written report with photos. If your roof is fine, we tell you it is fine. If it is not, you get honest options including targeted repairs, Roof Rejoov shingle restoration, or full replacement.
FAQ
How long does a DIY roof inspection take?
About 30 minutes if you are thorough. Walk the full perimeter with binoculars, then spend 10 minutes in the attic. Longer if you find things you need to photograph in detail.
Should I inspect my roof after a hailstorm?
Yes, but give it 24-48 hours first. Hail bruising is often not visible for a day or two. Look for circular dents in gutters, dings on AC condenser fins, and splatter marks on shingles. Any of those means you should file with insurance within the carrier's deadline.
Is it safe to walk on my roof?
No, and we recommend against it. Asphalt shingles are slippery when wet or dusty, Katy's summer heat makes them soft enough to damage by walking, and one fall from a single-story roof can break bones. Use binoculars. Hire a pro if you need an up-close look.
What does a professional inspection cost?
Most reputable Katy roofers including Jerry's Roofing inspect for free. Paid inspections from third-party engineers run $350-$650 and are usually only needed for real estate transactions or disputed insurance claims.
How do I know if my roof needs replacement versus repair?
Age and damage scope decide it. If your roof is under 15 years old and damage is localized to one slope or a few penetrations, repair is fine. If it is over 20 years old with multiple failure signs, replacement usually makes more economic sense than chasing leaks. A professional inspection gives you a clear answer.
Want a free professional inspection? Jerry's Roofing serves Katy, Cypress, Cinco Ranch, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land, and Brookshire. Call (409) 351-1529 or request a free inspection online. We bring the ladder, you keep the photos, and you get an honest written report either way.