Roof Maintenance & Storm Documentation Checklist

Seasonal Moss & Gutter Checklist

Recommended twice a year — spring and fall — since near-daily winter moisture is what drives roof problems in this climate, not extreme cold. Issaquah runs 60–65 inches of rain a year, more than Seattle or the flatter Eastside, and tree-shaded lots near Cougar, Squak, and Tiger Mountain grow moss faster still.

• Walk the property and visually check every roof slope for moss or algae coverage, especially shaded and north-facing sections.
• Look for shingle tabs or shakes that appear lifted, cupped, or dark/spongy — a sign moss has already gotten underneath the material.
• Clear gutters and downspouts of moss debris and leaves so water actually drains.
• Check the attic (if safely accessible) for any new water stains, musty smell, or daylight through the deck.
• If it's been more than a year since the roof was last treated for moss, schedule a treatment before the next wet season.
• After any major windstorm, do a quick visual check for missing or displaced material even if nothing looks wrong from inside.
• If your home sits in wildland-urban-interface terrain near the Issaquah Alps, confirm your roof assembly still meets Washington's Class A fire-rating requirement — this matters most at reroof time, not year to year.

After a Storm: Documentation Checklist

Good documentation is the biggest factor in how smoothly an insurance claim goes, if one applies. Do these in order:

• Secure the property first. If it's safe, contain any active interior leak and prevent further water intrusion — but don't get on the roof yourself.
• Photograph before any repair. Wide shots for context, close-ups for detail, from multiple angles, the same day if possible.
• Photograph undamaged areas too. This helps establish contrast between the storm damage and the roof's prior condition.
• Note the date and conditions of the storm itself — this supports the "sudden event" documentation insurers look for.
• Call for a professional assessment before assuming the damage is (or isn't) storm-related — moss-driven wear and sudden storm damage look different, and the distinction affects insurance coverage.
• Report to your insurer promptly once you have initial photos and an assessment.

When to Call a Professional Right Away

• Active dripping or a fast-growing ceiling stain
• Visible daylight through the roof deck from inside the attic
• Missing or torn material covering more than a small, isolated area
• Any storm damage you're considering filing an insurance claim for