Utah Roof Maintenance Checklist: Seasonal Guide for Homeowners

Spring is your most important inspection season in Utah. Winter is hard on roofs—snow loads, ice dams, freeze-thaw cycles. You need to assess what winter did to your roof before the next round of weather hits.

Check for Ice Dam Damage: Look along the eaves for signs of ice dam issues: damaged gutters, lifted shingles, water stains on fascia boards. Ice dams form when snow melts on the warmer upper roof and refreezes at the cold eaves. If you had icicles hanging from your gutters, you probably had ice dam pressure.

Inspect Shingles from Ground Level: Walk around your house with binoculars. Look for missing shingles, lifted edges, or obvious damage. Winter winds can lift shingles, and freeze-thaw can break weakened ones. Document anything that looks wrong.

Check Flashing: Look at the metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and walls. Winter weather can work flashing loose. If you see gaps, lifted edges, or rust, that's a repair priority before spring rains arrive.

Clean Gutters: Gutters should be cleared of winter debris—leaves, twigs, granules from shingles. Clogged gutters cause water to back up under shingles, which leads to rot and leaks. This is one of the most important maintenance tasks, and one of the most neglected.

Trim Overhanging Branches: Winter may have brought branches closer to your roof. Trim anything within 6-10 feet of the roof surface. Branches scrape shingles in the wind and drop debris that holds moisture.

Check Attic for Water Signs: Go into your attic on a dry day and look for water stains, mold, or damp insulation. These indicate winter leaks that need attention before they cause more damage.

Summer in Utah means intense UV exposure—especially at our elevation. The sun is brutal on roofing materials. Summer is also when you can safely get on the roof (or have a pro inspect) to catch issues.

Professional Inspection Timing: If you're going to have a professional roof inspection, summer is ideal. Weather is predictable, roof surfaces are safe to walk on, and we can see everything clearly. Consider scheduling an inspection every 2-3 years, more often for older roofs.

Check for Granule Loss: Asphalt shingles lose granules over time—that's normal. But excessive granule loss in gutters or at the base of downspouts suggests accelerated wear. If shingles look patchy or you see black asphalt showing through, that's concerning.

Look for Curling or Buckling: Heat causes shingles to expand and contract. Over years, this can cause curling at edges or buckling across the shingle face. Early curling is cosmetic; advanced curling means the shingle is failing and water can get underneath.

Inspect Caulk and Sealants: The caulk around flashing, vents, and pipe boots degrades in UV exposure. Check for cracked, dried, or missing caulk. This is a cheap fix that prevents expensive leaks.

Check Attic Ventilation: Summer is when poor ventilation shows up as excessive heat. Your attic should be within 10-15 degrees of outside temperature. If it's significantly hotter, you may need better ventilation. Poor ventilation cooks shingles from below and shortens their life dramatically.

Watch for Moss or Algae: Utah's dry climate limits this, but shaded roof sections can develop moss or algae growth. This holds moisture against shingles and accelerates deterioration. Address it before it spreads.

Fall is about preparing for winter. Everything you do now prevents problems when it's too cold to fix them. This is your last chance to address issues before snow arrives.

Thorough Gutter Cleaning: Clean gutters again after leaves fall. Clogged gutters in winter lead to ice dams. Make sure downspouts are clear and draining away from the foundation. Consider gutter guards if you have significant tree coverage.

Check and Replace Weather Stripping: Roof vents, attic access points, and any roof penetrations should have intact weather stripping. Cold air infiltration in winter wastes energy and can create condensation problems in the attic.

Repair Any Damage Now: Whatever you found during summer inspection—fix it now. Shingle repairs, flashing issues, caulk replacement—all of this needs to happen before winter. Roofing work in winter is difficult, expensive, and sometimes impossible.

Check Insulation: Proper attic insulation prevents heat loss that causes ice dams. If your insulation is thin, compressed, or missing in spots, fall is the time to address it. Aim for R-38 to R-60 in Utah attics.

Inspect Skylights: If you have skylights, check the seals and flashing before winter. Skylights are leak-prone, and winter makes any issues worse. Replace cracked or worn seals proactively.

Document Condition: Take photos of your roof from all angles before winter. If you have storm damage claims later, these "before" photos are valuable evidence of pre-storm condition.

Winter maintenance is mostly about monitoring. You're not getting on the roof when it's covered in snow and ice. But there are things to watch for and address when safe.

Monitor Snow Loads: Utah mountain areas especially need to watch snow accumulation. Most roofs handle normal snow fine, but heavy accumulation—especially wet, dense snow—can stress structures. If snow is more than 2-3 feet deep and you're concerned, consult a professional about removal.

Watch for Ice Dams: Ice dams form as icicles along the eaves, sometimes massive ones. If you see them forming, that's a ventilation and insulation problem that needs addressing after winter. Don't try to chip away ice dams—you'll damage the roof.

Check After Storms: After major winter storms, do a visual check from ground level. Look for obvious damage, missing shingles, or sagging areas. If something looks wrong, document it and call for an inspection when weather permits.

Keep Gutters Clear: If gutters clog during winter, ice dams get worse. When there's a warm spell and snow melts, make sure water is flowing through gutters and downspouts. Clear any ice blockages when safe to do so.

Interior Monitoring: Watch ceilings and walls for water stains, especially near exterior walls and under the roof line. Winter leaks often show up inside before they're visible outside. Catching them early limits damage.

Don't Walk on Icy Roofs: Seriously. I've seen too many homeowner injuries from falls off icy roofs. Whatever problem you're trying to address can wait until conditions are safe. Your roof can handle temporary issues better than you can handle a broken leg.