Fall Roof Checklist

Arizona's monsoon season ends September 30, and by then your roof has been through months of extreme heat and several storms. Some damage shows up right away as leaks. Other damage, like a loosened flashing seam or a cracked tile, may not leak until the winter rains.

Fall also brings comfortable weather for roof work. Temperatures are milder, storms are less frequent, and coatings and roofing materials are easier to work with than in midsummer. That makes autumn an ideal time for repairs and larger projects.

From the ground, using binoculars, look for:

• Missing, lifted or creased shingles
• Cracked, slipped or missing tiles
• Loose ridge caps or hip tiles
• Bent or detached gutters and downspouts
• Debris on the roof such as branches or palm fronds
• Damage to rooftop coolers, AC units or solar panels

Inside, check ceilings and the attic for water stains, damp insulation or daylight. Note anything that appeared during the summer, even if it has dried. See our fall roof checklist article for more.

• Clean gutters and downspouts of leaves, dust and storm debris.
• Have valleys and flat roof drains cleared if debris is visible.
• Trim trees that grew over the roof during the summer.
• Look for pigeon activity under tile or solar panels. Fall is a good time to install bird stops or critter guards.
• Winterize evaporative coolers, and check that their drain lines and covers are secure so they do not leak onto the roof.

Payne Roofing recommends inspections every spring and fall. A fall inspection looks closely for storm damage, checks flashing and penetrations, evaluates coating condition on flat roofs, and, on tile roofs, can check underlayment condition in key areas.

If the inspection turns up worn tile underlayment, a foam roof due for recoating, or a shingle roof near the end of its life, fall and winter are good seasons to plan and complete that work before next year's heat and storms. Learn more about roof inspections.

Fall is also a good moment to step back and think about the roof's long-term picture. How old is it? How many repairs has it needed in the last few years? Did it leak during more than one storm this summer? If the answers point toward bigger work, use the fall and winter months to get estimates, compare materials, check HOA requirements and line up any approvals.

Planning now means you can schedule work for mild weather instead of scrambling for an emergency repair next July. Our guide on repairing versus replacing can help you think it through.

1. Binocular check for monsoon damage
2. Attic and ceiling check for stains
3. Clean gutters, valleys and drains
4. Trim trees and address bird nesting
5. Winterize the evaporative cooler
6. Book a professional inspection
7. Plan repairs, recoats or replacement during mild weather