End-of-Year Roof Maintenance Checklist — Protect Your Home Before Winter

Wait until the last leaves have dropped (usually late November in most of the US). Remove all debris by hand or with a gutter scoop, then flush each run with a garden hose to verify flow. A single packed downspout can back water up across 40 feet of gutter.

Gutters should slope toward downspouts at roughly 1/4 inch per 10 feet. Sagging sections hold standing water that freezes and expands, pulling gutters further away from the fascia. Rehang with new gutter screws — the old spike-and-ferrule systems pull out under ice weight.

Snowmelt and winter rain follow downspouts. If they dump water against your foundation, that water freezes and thaws against the concrete, accelerating cracks. Add splash blocks or downspout extensions to direct water away.

Use binoculars from across the street. Missing shingles expose the underlayment directly to winter precipitation. Cracked or curling shingles allow wind-driven rain and snowmelt underneath. Mark any suspect areas for closer inspection or repair.

Ridge caps take the full force of wind and are the first shingles to lift. A missing ridge cap lets water enter at the highest point of the roof, where it can travel in any direction before showing up as a stain below.

Some granule loss is normal, but heavy accumulation (thick enough to scoop) suggests shingle aging. Shingles that have lost their granules absorb more heat, cycle faster, and become brittle — they won't survive freeze-thaw as well. Note this for your spring replacement planning.

Chimney flashing has two parts: step flashing against the brickwork and counter-flashing embedded in the mortar joints. Both can separate. Run your eye along the junction — any visible gap is an active leak path. Recaulk small gaps with polyurethane sealant; larger separations need professional reflashing.

Rubber vent boots crack after 10–15 years. A cracked boot lets water run directly down the plumbing vent pipe into the wall cavity. Replacement boots cost $10–$20 and take a roofer 15 minutes to install — one of the cheapest and most impactful repairs.

Valleys concentrate water flow from two roof planes. Debris that collects in valleys dams water and accelerates corrosion of metal flashing. Clear any debris and check for rust-through or holes in the metal.

Blown-in insulation frequently migrates over soffit vents, blocking airflow. Without intake air at the soffits, ridge vents can't draw air through the attic. The result is a warm roof deck, uneven snowmelt, and ice dams. Install baffles if insulation is encroaching.

Any daylight visible through the roof deck means water can get in. Moisture stains on sheathing indicate current or past leaks. Frost on the underside of the sheathing in cold weather means warm, moist air from the living space is reaching the deck — an insulation or vapor barrier problem.

Exhaust fans that dump moist air into the attic cause condensation on the roof sheathing, promoting mold and rot. This is one of the most common building code violations in existing homes. Reroute any attic-terminating ducts to the exterior before winter traps that moisture.

Branches that touch or overhang the roof abrade shingles in every windstorm, deposit leaves and needles year-round, and provide a highway for squirrels and raccoons to access your roof. A 6-foot clearance eliminates all three problems.

Moss holds moisture against shingles and accelerates granule loss. If moss is present, remove it with a stiff brush (never a pressure washer) and treat with a zinc or copper strip at the ridge to prevent regrowth. This is best done while temperatures are still above freezing.

Call at least two roofers for comparison. Describe the specific issues you found — being specific gets you accurate quotes and shows the contractor you're informed. Most roofers offer free inspections with a repair quote.

Asphalt shingle adhesive strips need sustained warmth (typically 40°F+) to seal. Shingles installed in cold weather may not seal until spring, leaving them vulnerable to wind uplift all winter. Book early — the best window closes fast.