Roof maintenance in Florida comes down to a few habits. Look over your roof from the ground every few months and after every big storm. Clean the gutters at least twice a year. Keep branches trimmed back from the roof, and treat algae gently instead of pressure washing it. Then have a roofer inspect the whole roof once a year, ideally before hurricane season starts on June 1.
Florida is hard on roofs. Strong sun breaks down shingles and underlayment, afternoon storms test every seam, salt air corrodes metal near the coast and the humidity feeds algae. Small problems caught early cost far less than leaks found after a storm. The checklist below goes season by season, then covers your roof type, algae and the jobs you should leave to a professional.
Free download: Roof maintenance checklist (PDF). Every season below on one printable page with boxes to tick.
Your Seasonal Roof Maintenance Checklist
Florida doesn’t have a real winter, so the calendar here follows hurricane season instead of the weather up north.
| Season | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (December to February) | Book your yearly roof inspection. Make repairs while roofers are less busy. Check the attic for stains after cold fronts. | It’s the driest, calmest stretch of the year and the easiest time to fix things. |
| Spring (March to May) | Clean gutters and downspouts. Trim branches back at least 6 feet from the roof. Look for lifted shingles, cracked tiles and loose flashing. Take dated photos of the roof. | Everything should be tight before hurricane season starts June 1, and the photos show the roof’s condition before any storm. |
| Summer (June to August) | After every big storm, check the roof from the ground and the ceilings inside. Watch for granules in the gutters and drips in the attic. | Afternoon storms find every weak spot, and a small leak spreads fast in the heat. |
| Fall (September to November) | Look over the roof again after the peak of hurricane season. Clear leaves and palm debris. Compare the roof with your spring photos. | Storm damage that went unnoticed in summer shows up now, before it turns into rot. |
Every month, take a quick look at the ceilings in each room and around the AC closet. A new brown stain is often the first sign of a roof leak.
Maintenance Tips by Roof Type
Each roof covering needs slightly different care, and a couple of common habits can do more harm than good.
| Roof type | What to watch for | What not to do |
|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingle | Curling or missing shingles, bare spots, lots of granules in the gutters, black streaks | Don’t pressure wash it, because it strips the granules that protect the shingle |
| Concrete or clay tile | Cracked or slipped tiles, broken ridge tiles, gaps at the edges, stains in the attic | Don’t walk on it, because tiles crack underfoot |
| Standing seam metal | Loose trim, scratches that start to rust, failing sealant at pipes and vents | Don’t let copper, like old gutters, drain onto steel, and don’t scrape the paint |
| Flat (modified bitumen) | Standing water a day or two after rain, blisters, cracks at the edges | Don’t let leaves and debris pile up around the drains |
Near the ocean or the Intracoastal, rinse metal parts with fresh water now and then and look closely at flashing, fasteners and gutters, because salt air works on them all year.
How to Clean Algae and Black Streaks
The black streaks on many Florida roofs are algae, not dirt. They look bad and hold moisture, but they’re easy to treat the right way.
For asphalt shingles, the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommends a 50:50 mix of liquid chlorine bleach and water, sprayed on, left for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinsed off. It also warns never to use a pressure washer on shingles, because it causes granule loss and can shorten the roof’s life. Protect your plants, wear eye protection and don’t let the solution dry on the roof.
Tile and metal roofs should be cleaned with a low pressure soft wash, ideally by a professional who knows how to work on them without cracking tiles or scratching paint.
When it’s time for a new roof, algae resistant shingles (made with copper granules) are the long term fix. Zinc or copper strips can also help, but the association recommends them only as part of a new roof, not added to an existing one.
Signs Your Roof Needs More Than Maintenance
Maintenance keeps a healthy roof healthy. It can’t bring back one that’s worn out. Call a roofer for a closer look if you notice any of these:
- Water stains or drips inside, especially after a storm or a heavy afternoon rain.
- Shingles that curl, crack or come loose in more than one spot, or bare patches where the granules are gone.
- Several cracked or slipped tiles, or soft spots that suggest the underlayment beneath has failed.
- Sagging, or daylight through the roof deck when you look up from the attic.
- A roof near the end of its life, generally 15 to 25 years for shingles and 20 to 25 years for the underlayment under tile.
Any of these can mean the roof needs a repair, or that it’s time to plan a replacement on your schedule instead of after a storm forces it.
What to Leave to a Professional
Most of this checklist can be done from the ground, from a ladder at the gutter line or from inside the attic. Leave the rest to a roofer:
- Anything that means walking on the roof, especially tile or a steep shingle roof.
- Flashing and sealant repairs around chimneys, skylights, walls and pipes.
- Replacing cracked tiles or missing shingles, so the repair matches and stays sealed.
- A yearly inspection of the whole roof and attic, plus one after any hurricane.
Important: stay off the roof. Falls from roofs are a real risk, and walking on tile or older shingles often causes the very damage you’re trying to prevent. Do your checks from the ground with binoculars, from the top of a ladder at the gutter or from the attic, and call a roofer for the rest.
Not sure what a yearly inspection should cost? Our guide to roof inspection cost in Florida explains when it’s free. If your inspection turns up more than a small repair, our guide to roof repair vs replacement in Florida helps you decide what to do next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can skipping roof maintenance hurt an insurance claim?
It can. Insurers pay for sudden damage, like wind or a fallen tree, but not for wear or neglect. Dated photos and a record of inspections and repairs help show that damage came from a storm and not from a roof that was left to deteriorate.
Can I pressure wash a tile roof?
Not with high pressure. It can crack tiles, wear down their surface and push water under them. A low pressure soft wash by someone experienced with tile roofs is the safer option.
How often should I clean my gutters in Florida?
At least twice a year, in spring before hurricane season and in fall after it. If palms or oaks hang over your roof, you may need to clean them every few months.
Does a new roof need maintenance?
Yes. A new roof still needs clear gutters, trimmed trees and a look after big storms. Read your manufacturer warranty, too, since many exclude damage caused by neglect.
Get a Free Yearly Roof Inspection
APEX Roofing of Delray Beach is a licensed Florida roofing contractor (CCC1336203) serving Broward and Palm Beach County. Our roof inspection is always free, so the yearly check on this list costs you nothing, and every roof we install is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty. Learn more about our roofing services, request a free online roofing estimate or call us at 561.414.2909.
