Boerne homeowners ask us all the time: "How do I know if I need to call a roofer?" The honest answer is that most roof problems are visible from the ground, the attic, or your driveway — if you know what to look for.
This is the inspection we wish every Boerne homeowner would do twice a year, especially after spring hail season.
The driveway walk-around (5 minutes, twice a year)
Stand at four corners of your house and look up at the roof. You're looking for:
- Missing shingles. Obvious gaps where you can see the underlayment or decking.
- Curled edges. Shingles that are no longer flat — usually a sign of heat damage and aging.
- Granule loss. Dark patches where the colored granules have worn off.
- Sagging. Any visible dip or wave in the roof line. This is a structural issue and needs immediate attention.
- Black streaks (algae). Common on north-facing slopes in Boerne due to limestone dust. Cosmetic, but a sign of moisture retention.
- Damaged or missing flashing around chimneys and walls.
The gutter check
Look in your gutters, especially after a rain. A small amount of granule shed is normal on a young roof, but:
- Heavy granule accumulation = your shingles are losing their UV protection fast
- Granules in the bottom of downspouts = same issue
- If you can scoop out a handful from one downspout, your roof is past its prime
The attic inspection (10 minutes)
This is the single most useful thing a homeowner can do — and almost no one does it. Bring a flashlight and look for:
- Daylight. If you can see sky through the decking, you have a hole. Period.
- Water staining on the underside of the decking, on rafters, or on ceiling joists. Rust-colored stains around nails are early signs of moisture.
- Wet insulation or compressed insulation in any spot.
- Mold or mildew smell. A healthy attic should smell like nothing.
- Pest evidence. Squirrels, raccoons, and birds love roof penetrations.
- Insufficient ventilation. If your attic is over 130°F in summer, ventilation is undersized.
After-storm inspection
If a hailstorm or severe wind event rolls through Kendall County, do this within 48 hours:
- Walk around the house and check for shingles in the yard
- Look at AC condenser fins for hail dents
- Check gutters for fresh dings
- Look at the bottom of downspouts for fresh granule pile-up
- Check window screens, fence tops, and outdoor furniture for hail marks
If any of these show damage, your roof almost certainly took hits too. Get a professional inspection before filing an insurance claim.
When to call a pro
If you saw any of the warning signs above, or if your roof is over 15 years old and you've never had it inspected, it's time. A free inspection costs you nothing and either gives you peace of mind or catches a small problem before it becomes a $30,000 problem.
We do free inspections across Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, Bulverde, and the rest of Kendall and Comal counties. We'll send you a written report with photos whether you hire us or not. Schedule one here.
