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.
