Summer Home Exterior Health Check
When was the last time you really looked at your home’s exterior?
Summer is one of the best times to perform a quick walkaround. Clear weather, longer days, and storm season make it easier to spot signs of wear before they become bigger (and more expensive) problems. It’s also the perfect opportunity to prepare your home before cooler temperatures (and their associated weather) arrive later in the year.
The good news? You don’t need to be an expert to recognize many of the most common warning signs. Use this checklist to inspect your home’s roofing and siding. If you notice several of these issues, it may be time to schedule a professional inspection.
1. Start with a 15-Minute Walkaround
Before looking at individual details, take in the big picture. Walk around your home up close and at a distance.
EXPERT TIP: After the walkaround, don’t forget to cross the street and view your home from a distance.
Ask yourself:
- Does anything look uneven or out of place?
- Are there obvious signs of storm damage?
- Does one side of the home appear more weathered than the others?
- Have you noticed areas that require frequent repairs or maintenance?
Once you’ve taken in the big picture, it’s time for a closer look.
2. Review Your Roofing and Siding Against These Checklists
Use our key to help indicate whether something needs immediate attention, a professional inspection, or just a continued watchful eye:
🟥 = Don’t Wait – if you find anything marked with a red square on the checklist, it’s time to find a contractor
🟨 = Schedule an Inspection – if you find anything marked with a yellow square on the checklist, it’s worth calling out a professional to take a look, but it may not yet be an urgent issue
🟩 = Monitor – if you find anything marked with a green square on the checklist, take note of the issue and keep an eye on it during future annual walkarounds
Roof Health Checklist
🟥 Missing, Loose, or Damaged Roofing Materials 🟥
Status: Don’t Wait
What to look for: Missing, cracked, lifted, or damaged roofing materials. High winds, hail, falling branches, and years of weather exposure can all compromise your roof’s ability to protect your home.
Why it matters: Even small openings can allow moisture to reach the layers beneath your roof, leading to more extensive damage over time – possibly impacting both your exterior and your interior.
🟨 Dark Streaks, Staining, or Moss Growth 🟨
Status: Schedule an Inspection
What to look for: Discoloration isn’t always cosmetic. Dark streaks, algae, moss, or areas that appear to hold moisture may indicate your roof isn’t shedding water as effectively as it should.
Why it matters: Moisture that lingers where it shouldn’t can shorten the life of your roof.
🟨 Dents or Signs of Storm Impact 🟨
Status: Schedule an Inspection
What to look for: After severe weather, look for dents, loose flashing, damaged vents, or debris that may have impacted your roof. While some damage is easy to spot, hail and wind can leave behind issues that aren’t immediately obvious.
Why it matters: Catching storm damage early can help prevent larger repairs and simplify insurance claims if damage is covered.
🟥 A Sagging or Uneven Roofline 🟥
Status: Don’t Wait
What to look for: Step back and take a look at your roof from a distance. Does the ridgeline appear straight, or are sections beginning to dip or sag?
Why it matters: Structural movement or trapped moisture beneath the roofing system should always be evaluated by a professional.
🟥 Water Stains Inside Your Home 🟥
Status: Don’t Wait
What to look for: Sometimes your roof tells you there’s a problem from the inside. Check your attic, upper-floor ceilings, and around skylights for water stains or discoloration.
Why it matters: Interior moisture often means water has already found a path inside – and it’s not going to stop until the root issue is fixed.
🟨 Your Roof Has Required Several Repairs in Recent Years 🟨
Status: Schedule an Inspection
What to look for: One isolated repair is normal, but if you’re calling for repairs after every major storm or finding yourself fixing new issues each season, it may be time to evaluate whether replacement is better in the long-term.
Why it matters Frequent repairs can add up over time and likely only delay an impending larger project.
Siding Health Checklist
🟨 Cracks, Chips, or Visible Damage 🟨
Status: Schedule an Inspection
What to look for: Walk around your home and inspect your siding for cracks, holes, dents, or impact damage.
Why it matters: Even small openings can allow moisture to reach the structure behind your home’s exterior.
🟥 Warping, Buckling, or Loose Panels 🟥
Status: Don’t Wait
What to look for: Your siding should sit flat against your home. If panels appear bowed, loose, or uneven, moisture or structural movement may be the cause.
Why it matters: These issues rarely improve on their own and should be inspected promptly.
🟩 Peeling Paint, Fading, or Signs of Heavy Weathering 🟩
Status: Monitor
What to look for: Over time, sun, rain, and changing temperatures naturally wear on exterior materials. Fading colors, peeling finishes, or surfaces that require frequent repainting may indicate it’s time to begin planning for future improvements.
Why it matters: Ongoing maintenance can become both time-consuming and costly as exterior materials age.
🟥 Soft Spots or Signs of Moisture Damage 🟥
Status: Don’t Wait
What to look for: Pay special attention around windows, doors, trim, and lower sections of siding. If materials feel soft, appear swollen, or show signs of deterioration, moisture may already be causing damage beneath the surface.
Why it matters: Addressing moisture issues early can help prevent more extensive repairs.
🟨 Storm Damage That Wasn’t There Before 🟨
Status: Schedule an Inspection
What to look for: After hail, high winds, or flying debris, inspect your siding for dents, cracks, or newly damaged areas.
Why it matters: What appears to be minor cosmetic damage can sometimes expose your home to future moisture intrusion.
🟨 Continuous (or Increasing) Time Spent Maintaining Your Siding 🟨
Status: Schedule an Inspection
What to look for: If your weekends are increasingly spent scraping, painting, patching, or repairing your home’s exterior, it may be worth considering whether a replacement would provide better long-term value.
Why it matters Modern exterior materials are designed to reduce maintenance while providing long-lasting protection.
3. After Your Walkaround: What’s Next?
🟩 Mostly Green/Monitor Status?
Great! Continue to perform seasonal exterior inspections each summer and after significant storms to help keep your home in great condition.
🟨 A Few Yellow Items That Require Inspection?
Now is an excellent time to schedule a professional inspection. Identifying issues early often means more options and fewer future surprises.
🟥 Any Red Items That Can’t Wait?
Don’t ignore them. Exterior damage rarely fixes itself. Delaying repairs can allow small issues to become much more extensive—and expensive—over time.
4. Plan Ahead. Don’t Wait For an Emergency.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting until a leak, major storm, or unexpected damage forces an immediate decision.
Planning ahead gives you time to do your research, compare exterior material choices, explore design options, establish a budget, and choose the right contractor for your project. All on your own timeline, not in reactionary mode.
If your inspection suggests it’s time to start thinking about replacement, it’s also a great opportunity to explore today’s exterior products. Modern materials, including steel roofing and siding, offer exceptional durability, low maintenance, and long-term protection against hail, high winds, and fire.
Not sure where to begin? Browse the EDCO Inspiration Gallery to see completed home transformations, experiment with color and style combinations using Instant Design, or compare exterior materials to better understand your options.
5. Take the Steps Needed to Protect Your Biggest Investment
Your home’s exterior works hard every day to protect everything inside.
A simple summer walkaround can help you catch problems early, but only if you listen to the signs your home is giving you.
If you’ve noticed several warning signs on this checklist, now is the perfect time to connect with a qualified contractor. They can evaluate your home’s condition, answer your questions, and help you determine the best path forward.
Find a Contractor, and get started fortifying your home today
- Does anything look uneven or out of place?
- Are there obvious signs of storm damage?
- Does one side of the home appear more weathered than the others?
- Have you noticed areas that require frequent repairs or maintenance?