Quick Answer
Fall is the right time to look over a Hendersonville roof. Check for storm damage, missing or curled shingles, failing flashing, clogged gutters and attic ventilation problems before winter weather arrives. You can do a lot from the ground and from inside the attic. For anything that needs someone on the roof, or for a repair, call a licensed roofing contractor. If you're buying, the roof is part of every InspectShield home inspection.
Summer storms are over, leaves are starting to fall, and you've got a window before winter weather sets in. A fall roof check is one of the easiest pieces of preventative maintenance you can do.
I'm Thomas Smith, owner of InspectShield. I inspect homes across Sumner, Wilson, Rutherford, and Williamson counties, and the roof is part of every home inspection. Here's what I'd look at on a Middle Tennessee roof this time of year.
Why Fall Is the Right Time
Storm season is winding down. Middle Tennessee gets severe storms from spring into early fall. By October, you've seen what the year did to your roof.
Trees are dropping leaves. This is when blocked gutters become a real problem. Clogged gutters back water up under shingles and rot the decking.
Winter weather is coming. A small roof issue in October becomes an emergency in January when ice and freeze-thaw cycles widen every crack.
Roofers aren't slammed yet. If you need a repair, fall scheduling is easier than after the first big winter storm.
Fall Roof Checklist
From the Ground
- Sagging or uneven roof line. Could point to structural issues or rotted decking.
- Missing or curled shingles. Visible from many angles, especially with binoculars.
- Granule loss. Look around your downspouts. A pile of asphalt granules means the shingles are wearing out.
- Dark streaks or stains. Usually algae, sometimes a sign of moisture underneath.
- Tree branches touching the roof. Trim them back well clear of the shingles.
From a Ladder (Be Careful)
- Gutters and downspouts. Cleared of leaves, properly pitched, draining away from the foundation.
- Fascia and soffit. Check for rot, peeling paint, or nests blocking ventilation.
- Drip edge. Should be visible at the eaves and sealed against water.
In the Attic
- Daylight through the decking. Hopefully not, but check.
- Water staining on rafters or insulation. A sign of an active or past leak.
- Mold or mildew on the sheathing. Usually points to a ventilation problem.
- Insulation coverage. Look for thin spots and areas where insulation has been pushed aside.
- Soffit and ridge vents. Look for blocked baffles and make sure air can move.
Leave These to a Roofer
Some of the most common leak sources can only be checked up close:
- Flashing. Step flashing along walls, valley flashing, chimney flashing. This is where most leaks start.
- Vent boots. The rubber gaskets around plumbing vents dry out and crack in our Tennessee heat.
- Chimney crown and counterflashing. Cracks in the crown and gaps at the flashing let water into the chimney chase.
- Skylight seals. Older skylights usually leak first at the gaskets.
- Ridge cap shingles. Often the first to lift in high wind.
Common Hendersonville Roof Problems
Sumner County has its own climate quirks. A few patterns:
Wind damage from spring storms. Hendersonville and Gallatin see their share of severe weather. Even storms that don't make headlines lift shingles and tear flashing, and by fall those spots have weathered enough to start leaking.
Hail bruising. A hailstorm can bruise shingles without obviously breaking them. Over time, those bruises become leaks. If you suspect hail damage, document it with dated photos and talk to a roofer and your insurer promptly.
Heat on south-facing slopes. Tennessee summer sun ages south-facing shingles faster, so one slope often looks older than the others.
Algae streaks. Common in shaded, humid areas around Old Hickory Lake. Cosmetic at first, but persistent growth holds moisture against the shingles and shortens their life.
Age. Much of Hendersonville was built in the 1970s through the early 1990s. On a home of that age, whether the roof has years left or needs replacing soon makes a real difference to your first few years of costs.
Repair or Replace?
Only a roofer can quote the work, but these signs usually point toward replacement:
- Heavy granule loss on an older roof
- Multiple repaired areas with continuing problems
- Spongy decking from rot underneath
- Hail or wind damage across large sections
- A sagging roof line
These usually point toward a repair:
- A few missing or torn shingles in isolated spots
- A single failed flashing point or vent boot
- A localized leak with a clearly identified source
What a Home Inspection Covers
If you're buying, you don't need to book anything extra to have the roof looked at. Every InspectShield home inspection covers the roof covering, flashing, gutters and site drainage, plus attic access, insulation depth and ventilation. On older Hendersonville homes we put extra weight on the systems that age, and the roof is one of them. Findings go into a written report with photographs, delivered the same day in most cases.
Where a stain or suspected leak calls for a closer look, infrared thermography can reveal moisture intrusion behind finished ceilings and walls, including at roof-to-wall transitions.
When to Call a Licensed Roofing Contractor
A home inspection tells you the condition of the roof and what needs attention. For everything after that, hire a licensed roofing contractor:
- Roof-only checks on a home you already own
- Repair and replacement estimates
- Storm and hail damage assessments for an insurance claim
- Any work that requires walking a steep, wet or fragile roof
For storm claims, your insurance company may send its own adjuster. Dated photos and a roofer's written assessment strengthen your case.
Don't Walk Your Own Roof If
I'm a big believer in homeowner involvement, but some roofs aren't worth the risk. Skip the DIY walk if:
- The roof is steep
- It's wet or there's any frost
- You don't have proper fall protection
- The shingles are old and brittle (you'll damage them just walking)
Use binoculars from the ground, or call a roofer. A fall costs more than any roof repair.
Related Reading
- Why Every Home Buyer in Middle Tennessee Needs a Home Inspection
- Summer AC Tips for Middle Tennessee Homes
- Radon Testing in Tennessee — What Every Homeowner Should Know
- How Much Does a Home Inspection Cost in Middle Tennessee?
- What Is an 11-Month Warranty Inspection — And Why Does It Matter?
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I check my roof? Look it over at least once a year, and again after any major storm with hail or high winds.
Can I check my roof myself? You can check a lot from the ground and from inside the attic. Walking the roof is risky and best left to a roofer with the right gear.
Does a home inspection include the roof? Yes. The roof covering, flashing, gutters and attic ventilation are part of every InspectShield home inspection.
I just bought a new build. Is the roof still the builder's problem? During the builder warranty, often yes. Our 11-month warranty inspection checks roof flashing and workmanship at valleys and wall transitions before that warranty runs out.
Schedule Your Home Inspection
Buying a home before winter weather hits? The roof is part of every InspectShield home inspection. Call InspectShield at 615-330-7036, email Tomsmith@getinspectshield.com, or get a quote for a home inspection in Hendersonville, Gallatin, Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, Franklin, and surrounding Middle Tennessee.