How to Prep Your Roof for Utah Winters

Utah winters test roofs with freeze-thaw cycles through November and March. Here's what to check before temperatures drop.

Clear gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris. Blocked gutters back water up under shingles — a common winter leak source.

Check all pipe boots, plumbing vents, and HVAC penetrations for cracking. These fail first in freeze cycles and are an easy, inexpensive repair before winter.

Look at your ridge cap. Cracked or lifting ridge cap shingles are vulnerable to wind and freeze — easy to spot from the ground.

Verify flashing lies flat. Chimney and valley flashing that has lifted even slightly will admit water once snow starts melting.

Address ventilation. Ice dams form when heat escapes through the roof, melts snow, and water refreezes at the cold eaves. The fix is usually better attic insulation and clear soffit vents — not a new roof.

Signs to call us before winter: granules in gutters, lifted flashing, curling shingle edges, or any interior staining near the roofline. Pre-winter repairs cost far less than winter emergency calls.