Licensed roofing professionals • Fort Wayne, IN • 15+ years experience
How Often Should You Get Your Roof Inspected in Fort Wayne?
The short answer: at least once per year, plus after any significant storm event. But the optimal cadence depends on your roof's age, material, and history.
The Annual Inspection
Every Fort Wayne roof should be professionally inspected once per year, ideally in early spring before storm season. The spring inspection establishes a baseline condition so any subsequent storm damage is clearly distinguishable from pre-existing wear.
An annual inspection catches developing issues — cracked flashing, deteriorating pipe boots, lifting shingles, granule erosion — before they cause leaks. Addressing these proactively costs a fraction of the emergency repairs they prevent.
After Any Significant Storm
After any hail event producing stones of 3/4 inch or larger, or wind events exceeding 60 mph, get an inspection. Fort Wayne averages 3 to 6 significant hail events per year, so this may mean two or three post-storm inspections annually.
You don't necessarily need a professional for every storm — your ground-level assessment (gutters, screens, visible roof surface) tells you whether professional inspection is warranted. If collateral damage is present, call a pro. If your property shows no impact indicators, you're likely fine.
Not Sure If Your Roof Is Damaged?
Don't guess. A qualified Fort Wayne roofer will inspect your roof for free and give you an honest written assessment. No sales pitch.
Schedule Free Inspection → Or call: (260) 255-4551Based on Roof Age
New roofs (0 to 5 years): Annual inspection is sufficient unless a major storm hits. New shingles are at peak performance and adhesive bonds are strongest. Issues found at this age are usually installation defects rather than weather damage.
Mid-life roofs (6 to 15 years): Annual plus post-storm inspections. This is the period where cumulative weather wear begins showing — granule thinning, adhesive weakening, flashing degradation. Storm damage at this stage compounds existing wear.
Aging roofs (15+ years): Consider twice-annual inspections — spring and fall. Older roofs have less resilience, and damage that a younger roof absorbs may push an aging roof past the replacement threshold. Post-storm inspections are especially important because marginal roofs fail sooner.
Based on Material
Asphalt shingles: Follow the age-based schedule above. Shingles are the most weather-sensitive material and degrade visibly over time.
Metal roofing: Annual visual inspection is sufficient for most metal roofs. Metal doesn't degrade the way shingles do — inspections focus on fastener condition, flashing integrity, and sealant at penetrations rather than surface deterioration.
Keeping Records
Maintain a file of all inspection reports, photos, and repair records. This history serves two purposes: it documents your maintenance diligence (supporting insurance claims by showing you're not neglecting the roof), and it tracks the roof's condition over time so you can plan for eventual replacement.