Spring Roof & Gutter Inspection Checklist for NY Homeowners

Winter in Rockland County, Westchester County, and Bergen County is no joke. Between heavy snowfall, ice dams, and freeze-thaw cycles, your roof and gutters take a serious beating from November through March. That’s why spring is the most important time of year to do a thorough inspection before small issues turn into expensive repairs.

At Segelman Shaw Roofing, Siding & Gutters, we put together this practical checklist so homeowners across our service area know exactly what to look for — and what to call us about.

Start From the Ground: What You Can See Without a Ladder

Before climbing anywhere, walk around your home and look up. You can catch a lot of warning signs from the ground.

• Shingles: Look for curling, buckling, or missing shingles. If you spot bare patches or shingles that look warped, water may already be getting underneath.
• Granule loss: Check your driveway, walkways, and the ground around your downspouts for dark, sand-like granules. Granule loss accelerates after harsh winters and signals aging shingles that need attention.
• Sagging areas: Any section of your roofline that dips or sags is a red flag. This often points to structural damage or water-soaked decking underneath.
• Flashing: Look at the metal strips around your chimney, skylights, and vents. Bent, lifted, or missing flashing is one of the most common causes of roof leaks in the spring.

Gutter Inspection Checklist

Gutters take a beating all winter — from ice, snow weight, and debris. Here’s what to check:

• Clogs and blockages: Spring means pollen, twigs, and leftover fall leaves. Clogged gutters can’t drain properly, which leads to overflow and water damage along your roofline and foundation.
• Sagging or pulling away from the house: Heavy ice and snow can pull gutters out of alignment. Check that gutters are still properly pitched toward downspouts and secured to the fascia.
• Cracks, holes, or rust spots: Even small cracks can cause big problems. Water leaking from a cracked gutter can damage your siding and soak into your foundation over time.
• Downspout drainage: Make sure downspouts are clear and directing water at least 4–6 feet away from your foundation. After a long winter, downspout extensions can shift or detach.
• Check the fascia boards behind gutters: Soft, rotted, or discolored wood behind the gutter is a sign water has been backing up and sitting against the house all winter.

Inside the House: Interior Warning Signs

Don’t forget to check inside your home too.

• Attic inspection: Go up to your attic and look for daylight coming through the roof boards, dark staining, or soft spots. Any of these mean moisture has been getting in.
• Ceiling stains: Fresh or new water stains on your ceiling — especially in corners or near exterior walls — are a common sign of roof damage that worsened over winter.
• Musty smell: If your attic or upper floors smell musty, mold may already be forming from moisture intrusion.

What to Do If You Find a Problem

Some things on this list — like inspecting with the naked eye – homeowners can do. But anything involving getting on the roof, checking flashing up close, cleaning clogged gutters, or investigating potential structural damage should be handled by a professional.

The team at Segelman Shaw Roofing, Siding & Gutters has been serving Rockland County, Westchester County, and Bergen County for years. We know what our local winters do to roofs, and we know how to catch problems before they become emergencies.

Spring is the best time to act. Don’t wait until a summer thunderstorm turns a small leak into a major repair.

Schedule your free spring roof inspection today at letsroof.com/estimate or call us at (845) 364-8200.