What can I safely check myself?

From the ground

• Missing, curled or cracked shingles
• Dark patches or bald spots
• Sagging lines
• Damaged flashing or vent caps

Around the house

• Granules or shingle pieces at downspouts
• Sagging or overflowing gutters
• Staining on exterior walls

Inside and attic

• Trace ceiling stains lightly with pencil and date them
• Look for peeling paint or musty smells
• Only with safe attic access: damp insulation, dark decking stains, daylight or rusted nail tips

What a roofer checks

Some causes you can spot. Others—pipe-boot cracks, nail pops, flashing separation, hail bruising, valley problems and worn sealant—usually require a roof-level inspection.