• Inspect the attic for signs of moisture.  Mark any areas found with chalk to find them later.
• It may be necessary to remove fiberglass insulation to examine the sheathing.  Wear gloves, goggles & a respirator for protection.
• Turn off the lights and look for shafts of light coming in through the roof indicating holes, cracks, or other problems.  Poke a wire through the holes so they are viable from the roofs surface.
• Inspect your roof from the outside.  This can be done with binoculars. Look at the the ridge line, it should be perfectly horizontal. Look at the plane of each roof section to inspect the rafters.  The plane should be straight.
• If you choose to climb on your roof to inspect it, inspect the flashings for holes, rust spots, loose or exposed nails, and signs of pulling away from the joints.

• Gutters and downspouts collect water from the roof and carry it away from the home. 
• Make sure your downspouts extend away from the foundation so water can not pool and drain into the basement.
• Check gutters with binoculars for loose spikes, support straps, deteriorated seams and corner joints as well as missing sections.
• Clear debris from gutters (best done after most of the autumn leaves have fallen). Screens can be installed over the gutters to keep them free from debris. Inspect the fascia boards behind the gutters for wood rot.
• Inspect downspouts for areas of corrosion, damage, clogged sections, loose or disconnected sections.

WOOD SIDING

• Check for areas of peeling or blistering paint.  This is usually caused by warm moist vapor from the house flowing through the walls, reaching the cold sheathing and condensing.  Also look for worn, flaking, or "alligator" paint.
• Make sure you have six to eight inches of clearance between the ground and wood siding or wood trim. Moisture from the soil can cause decay and wood destroying insects can gain entry to your siding.
• Repair holes, split boards, and loose or warped siding.

STUCCO

• Look for vertical cracks running from the roof line, doors, windows, or anywhere their is a penetration in the stucco. 
• Look for bulges, holes, areas of staining and hairline cracks.

BRICK, BLOCK & STONE 

• Look for chipped, loose or deteriorating material, as well as large cracks and areas of bulging.
• Use an old screwdriver to test the mortar by scratching along the mortar joints to make sure it is not loose, crumbling, cracked or missing.

ALUMINUM, STEEL & VINYL SIDING 

• Inspect for loose or damaged sections and open seams and joints.

• Caulking helps keep your house weather-tight and lowers heating and cooling bills.
• Check for cracked, loose, or missing caulking around exterior joints, windows and doors.
• Caulking also helps keep insects and other "critters" out of your house.