You don't need to get on the roof.

You can do a thorough inspection from the ground with binoculars and a sturdy ladder for gutters.

Walk around the house and look for missing or curled shingles, spots where granules have washed off, or any sagging. Binoculars let you see the ridge and flashing without balancing on a wet roof. For gutters, get a ladder—just make sure it’s on level ground and don’t lean it against the gutters themselves. Poke around with a trowel or stick. Clogs often show up as water spilling over the side during a rain.

Foundation cracks: check the basement or crawlspace for hairline cracks. Anything wider than a pencil line, or with horizontal steps, is worth calling a pro. But most small vertical cracks are just settling and can be patched with hydraulic cement.

You don’t need to climb up there. The only thing you should risk is wet socks.

A little spring inspection now saves big repairs later.