Roof Maintenance Plan for Ohio Homeowners
Quick answer: Look at your roof every spring and fall, and again after any big storm. Do the looking from the ground, an upstairs window and the attic. Leave anything that means walking on the roof to a contractor.
A roof maintenance plan is a short yearly routine. It catches small problems before water gets in. This page gives Ohio homeowners a season-by-season checklist you can print. It also says plainly which jobs are safe for you and which are not.
What you can check yourself and what needs a roofer
ARMA, the asphalt roofing trade group, says to start with a ground-level check. You can also look from upstairs windows with binoculars. ARMA says to hire a pro if you cannot inspect safely from the ground. NRCA, the national roofing contractors association, says homeowners should inspect only from ground level.
Homeowner-safe
- Scan shingles from the ground with binoculars.
- Look for missing, loose or damaged shingles.
- Check that gutters drain and downspouts run clear.
- Look under the roof deck from the attic for water stains.
- Check attic vents for daylight at the ridge.
- Take dated photos of what you see.
Needs a professional
- Walking on the roof for any reason.
- Repairing or replacing shingles and flashing.
- Any visible leak or confirmed damage.
- Suspected ice damming.
- Heavy moss growth on the shingles.
- A full roof inspection after a storm.
A contractor from our referral network can handle the rest. Our guide to professional roof inspections explains what happens on a visit.
Your yearly roof maintenance loop
Think of the year as a loop with five stops. Every stop adds to one shared record.
The log is the hub. Dated photos, receipts and inspection notes all go there. The after-storm look is the odd one out. It happens on no fixed date.
Gutters and flashing
Clogged gutters hold water against the roof edge. ARMA says to clear leaves, pine needles and twigs so water drains freely. It also says an upper downspout should not discharge onto a lower roof. Route it into a lower gutter instead. Owens Corning adds that gutters should be securely attached. It says to remove organic debris from the roof at least twice a year. A broom or leaf blower works. A tool that rubs the shingles can dislodge granules. Owens Corning also says to trim branches so they never touch the roof or gutters. Keep ladder safety in mind if you do the clearing yourself. Our post on gutter problems that damage your roof shows what clogs cost you. A contractor can also handle gutter work.
Flashing seals the joints at chimneys, walls and vents. ARMA calls flashings the most vulnerable points on a roof. Check them from the attic for water stains. Repairs belong to a contractor.
Attic ventilation: the 1:150 and 1:300 rules
An attic needs air moving through it. The Residential Code of Ohio, section R806.2, sets the baseline. Net free ventilating area must be 1/150 of the area of the vented space. That is the 1:150 ratio.
The same section has an exception for 1/300. The text says both listed conditions must be met. Condition 1 reads "Deleted" in the Ohio copy we read. The model national code puts a vapor retarder rule there for Climate Zones 6 to 8. Condition 2 covers vent placement. Upper vents must supply at least 40 percent and at most 50 percent of the required area. They sit no more than 3 feet below the ridge. The balance goes in the bottom one-third of the attic. Framing that blocks upper vents allows placement lower than 3 feet. Section R806.3 also requires a 1-inch space between insulation and roof sheathing at the vent. We read an UpCodes copy, not the state site. Ask your local building department which version applies to your home.
The Ohio History Connection says to keep soffit vents free of insulation and paint. ARMA suggests checking for light at ridge or static vents. Our post on roof ventilation problems in Ohio goes further.
Moss and algae
ARMA says algae changes how a roof looks. It found no proof that algae damages shingles. Moss is different. It holds moisture and can lift shingle edges. That raises the risk of wind blow-off.
ARMA says never pressure wash asphalt shingles. It causes granule loss and very likely early failure. Trim limbs that shade the roof or rub the shingles. Read our moss and algae guide before you clean anything.
Winter watch and ice dams
Heat from the attic melts snow on the roof. The water refreezes at the cold eaves. The Ohio History Connection says ice can clog gutters. It can also push water back into the building. It can also grow heavy enough to damage the eaves.
ARMA says to call a professional if you suspect ice damming. Owens Corning says a pro check of attic ventilation and insulation is the best option. It says balanced ventilation and adequate insulation can help limit ice dam buildup. Insulation and ventilation are the long-term fix. Our posts on ice dam prevention and winter roof prep cover the details.
After a storm
NRCA says to inspect only from ground level. It also says a professional should inspect storm-damaged roofs quickly, even ones that look fine. ARMA lists missing shingles, damaged flashing and clogged gutters or vents as reasons to call.
Take dated photos before anyone touches anything. Read our posts on spring hail damage and tornado and wind damage. Our spring storm prep post helps you plan ahead. Planning a claim? See how to file a roof insurance claim in Ohio.
Records for insurance and a home sale
The Ohio Department of Insurance says a detailed home inventory can speed up a claim. It advises dated photos and videos. Keep a copy away from your house. It also says to review your coverage limit every year. That advice covers belongings, but the habit works for your roof too.
ARMA tells commercial owners to keep a file of every inspection, maintenance task and repair. Homeowners can do the same on a smaller scale. Keep these in one folder:
- Install date, shingle type and contractor name.
- Warranty papers and receipts.
- Dated photos from each seasonal check.
- Notes on every repair and who did it.
The same folder helps if you sell. You can answer a buyer's questions about roof age and repairs. Our post on roof leak coverage explains what insurers ask for.
Printable seasonal checklist
Tick the boxes as you go. Use the button to print a copy for your fridge or your records folder.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I inspect my roof?
This plan uses a spring check, a fall check and a check after major storms. ARMA tells commercial owners to have a roofer inspect each spring and fall. Homeowners can follow the same rhythm with ground and attic checks.
Can I walk on my roof to inspect it?
No. NRCA says homeowners should only inspect a roof from ground level. ARMA says to hire a pro if you cannot inspect safely from the ground.
Is attic ventilation 1:150 or 1:300?
Both appear in the same Ohio code section. The baseline in R806.2 is 1:150 of the vented space. The 1:300 exception applies only when its listed conditions are met. Ask your local building department which applies.
Can I pressure wash moss off my shingles?
No. ARMA says pressure washing asphalt shingles causes granule loss and very likely early roof failure. Read our moss and algae post, then ask a contractor about safe options.
How this page was researched
We read the pages below before writing. ARMA: spring inspection, algae and moss and post-storm inspection. NRCA: storm roof guidance. Ohio: Ohio History Connection on ice dams. Also the Ohio Department of Insurance home inventory workbook. Code: the UpCodes copy of Residential Code of Ohio chapter 8. Owens Corning: roof maintenance checklist. The GAF page would not load, so we did not cite it. We left out cost figures we could not verify.
Need a roofer to look at it?
Fairfield Peak Roofing is a referral service. A contractor from our referral network can inspect your roof and give you an estimate.
Disclosure: Fairfield Peak Roofing is a lead generation service. We are not a roofing contractor. We do not hold an Ohio roofing license and do not perform roofing work. Independent, licensed contractors do the work and set their own terms. See our disclaimer.