Photos to Take Before You Call Anyone

Before you start

• Open your phone camera settings. Turn on "Save location" or "Date stamp" so every photo is timestamped.
• Charge your phone. You will take more photos than you think.
• Stay on the ground. Do not get a ladder out. Do not climb on the roof.
• Pick a time of day with even light. Early morning or late afternoon works best.

The four sides of the house

One wide photo of each side of your house, taken from the yard, with the full roofline in frame. Walk back until you can see the entire slope on that side.

• Front of the house, full roofline
• Back of the house, full roofline
• Left side, full roofline
• Right side, full roofline

Close-ups of anything that looks wrong

• Missing shingles or bare patches (zoom in)
• Curling, buckling, or lifted shingles
• Dents or dings on metal vents, gutters, or downspouts
• Damaged or bent metal around the chimney, valleys, or skylights
• Anything sagging, dipping, or out of line along the ridge

On the ground

• Shingle pieces in the yard, in flower beds, or under bushes
• Storm debris. Branches, hail on the lawn, fence damage
• A pile of granules (sandy black grit) at the bottom of any downspout
• Anything broken on siding, windows, or screens

Inside, only if safe

If your attic has a stable floor and pull-down stairs, take a flashlight up. Skip this section if you are not comfortable. A roofer will check it for you.

• Daylight visible through the roof boards (point flashlight up)
• Dark or damp stains on the wood
• Wet or matted insulation
• Ceilings inside the house. Brown rings, bubbled paint, or stains