How Often Should You Get a Roof Inspection?

By the Orlando Roof Inspection team · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

You should get a roof inspection at least once a year, and again after any major storm, hail, or high-wind event. So how often to inspect a roof really comes down to your situation: a newer roof is fine with a yearly check, while an older roof (roughly 15 to 20 years and up) is better served by a look twice a year, and you should always inspect when buying or selling a home or after a leak shows up. The right roof inspection frequency is about catching small problems before they turn into expensive ones.

1. How often should you inspect a roof at a minimum?

For most homes, once a year is the baseline. Experts recommend having your roof inspected annually as part of regular preventative maintenance, according to This Old House, which treats a yearly professional look as the general rule.

A yearly inspection works because most roof problems start small. A cracked boot around a vent, a few lifted shingles, or a bit of loose flashing is cheap to fix when caught early and expensive once water has been getting in for months. An annual check gives you a documented record of the roof's condition, which helps at sale time and with insurance. If you want to know what a thorough visit actually covers, see our roof inspection checklist. Timing the yearly check for late spring or early summer is smart in Florida, since it puts a known-good roof ahead of hurricane season.

2. How often should an older roof be inspected?

Once a roof is older or showing wear, step up to twice a year. The NRCA recommends scheduled inspections at least twice per year, preferably in the spring and fall, as the foundation of a roof maintenance program. This Old House adds that roofs nearing the end of their lifespan, typically 20 to 30 years, may need more frequent inspections.

Why the extra check? Older materials get brittle, sealant dries out, and fasteners work loose, so damage appears faster and water finds its way in sooner. Semiannual timing also lets you catch seasonal wear before the next hard season. Here is a simple schedule by situation:

General planning guide. Yearly and twice-a-year baselines reflect This Old House and NRCA guidance; the age brackets are a practical summary, so confirm with an inspector for your specific roof.

If your roof is in the older bracket and you are seeing granules in the gutters or daylight in the attic, read our guide on the signs you need a new roof and how far into its life it may be in how long a roof lasts.

3. When should you get an inspection after a storm?

Get a roof inspection within a few days of any severe weather. The NRCA advises an inspection after any severe weather event such as a hailstorm or hurricane, on top of your regular twice-yearly checks, and This Old House agrees it is a good idea to get an inspection after any significant weather event.

Storm damage is not always obvious from the ground. Wind can lift and crack shingles or shift flashing, and hail can bruise the surface in ways you only see up close. The sooner you document it, the stronger your position if you file a claim, because insurers often dispute damage that was reported late. If a storm just rolled through, our guides on hail damage to a roof and what to do about a roof leak walk through the next steps. For a formal post-storm visit, see our storm damage roof inspection page.

4. Do you need a roof inspection when buying or selling a home?

Yes, and the timing is before you close. A roof inspection belongs in the inspection period of any home sale: This Old House notes that every property in escrow should undergo a roof inspection for disclosure purposes. It protects the buyer from inheriting a hidden problem and protects the seller from a last-minute renegotiation.

A standard home inspector gives the roof a general once-over, but a dedicated roof inspection goes deeper on the decking, flashing, penetrations, and remaining life. If a sale is on the table, that extra detail is worth it for a roof that is the single most expensive part of the house to replace. Read more on our roof inspection cost page, and browse all our homeowner guides in the guides hub.

5. How does inspection frequency affect your insurance?

Regular inspections both keep a policy in force and help you get paid when something goes wrong. The Insurance Information Institute notes that if your roof is over 20 years old when you apply for coverage, most insurers will require it to pass an inspection, and some will decline older roofs outright.

Frequency matters for claims too. Standard policies generally cover roof damage from a covered peril such as wind, hail, or a falling tree, but not age and ordinary wear. A current inspection report helps prove that a new leak came from the storm and not from years of neglect. In Florida that paper trail is especially useful for 4-point and wind mitigation requirements. See our insurance roof inspection page for what carriers here typically ask for.

6. Can you inspect your own roof, or do you need a pro?

You can do simple visual checks yourself, but a professional inspection is the one that counts for insurance and home sales. Between professional visits, do a safe ground-level or attic look a couple of times a year and after storms, and leave climbing and close-up assessment to an inspector.

From the ground or a window, watch for missing, curled, or cracked shingles, sagging areas, piles of granules at the downspouts, and any stains on interior ceilings. In the attic, look for daylight, damp insulation, or water marks on the decking. If you spot any of those, book a full inspection rather than waiting for the calendar. Walking a roof is genuinely dangerous, and in Florida the heat and steep tile make it worse, so there is no shame in letting a pro handle the up-close work.