The Importance of Pre-Winter Roof Inspections

With summer coming to an end, it might feel like winter’s still a ways away — but it sneaks up on you so fast, it’s important to stay ahead of the seasons. And it’s winter — with its temperature swings, wind, paradoxically dry air and wet weather, and generally inclement weather — that you need to prepare for. 

Not only do regular pre-winter roof checkups give you the peace of mind that your home is ready for the incoming turn in weather, but this regular upkeep helps stop any little problems before they turn into very big problems — saving you loads of money, time, and stress down the line. 

Why pre-winter roof inspections make all the difference 

The thing with pre-winter roof inspections — just like regular and/or seasonal checkups for other important aspects of your life, like your car or your health — is that these proactive, preventative steps create a sort of “positive spiral” that benefits many intertwined things together. It starts with: 

Catching small problems before they become big ones 

During an inspection, we go over different components of the roof to identify any signs of potential damage from the spring and monsoon season, or from last winter’s wear and tear. Any good roofing inspector will especially focus on checking for hidden problems that may lead to significant damage down the road. 

Common issues that signal something could become a larger issue if left ignored: 

• Pooling or ponding on flat roofs 
• Failing seams 
• Leaks 

By catching and addressing these earlier on — especially before winter weather has a chance to exacerbate the problem — you’ll keep these small problems small. Which also makes sure you end up: 

Avoiding unexpected, larger-than-normal roofing costs 

By catching things early on, you’ll avoid them spiraling into much larger problems with exponentially larger associated costs. 

Regular inspections help mitigate roofing costs in the long run by being much, much cheaper than the costs to repair one of these problems if they’re not caught until they’re larger. Not only that but, while a roofing inspection only lasts a couple hours, repairing a big issue down the road — that could have been caught in a roofing inspection — can take days or even, in serious cases, a week or more. And all that time, your day-to-day life and work can be significantly disrupted. 

Protecting your investment (and sanity) 

Related, but taking proactive steps to keep your roof in a good condition is just protecting all the work and money you already put into it! 

Whether you bought your home, built it, or bought a home and have redone your roof, you’ve put a lot of money and care into it. Not only that, but it protects all the things that you value in your home, from your family to your most loved possessions. 

Essentially: You’ve already invested so much into this integral part of your home — putting a few more dollars into protecting it (and keeping “a few dollars” from turning into “thousands of dollars”) is just the right move! 

Lowering winter bills 

A roof in good condition is a better insulator, and a better insulator lowers the amount of money you have to spend that winter on keeping your house comfortable. Not only is a well-insulated home cheaper to heat and regulate, but it just is generally more comfortable because it will keep its temperature easier and longer in doing so. 

What happens in a pre-winter inspection? 

A pre-winter inspection involves multiple comprehensive steps: an exterior assessment, interior assessment, and structural review, each with their own multi-step checklists. 

Exterior assessment 

It starts with evaluating the exterior. 

We’ll look for clear signs of wear first, like cracks, blisters, or tears in the membrane — obviously anything popping up here is a sign for further examination and repair. After that, we do a closer inspection of the seams and edges specifically, since those are the parts of the roof that are most susceptible to damage and failing. 

A roofing inspector will also make sure to check for any signs of pooling. As you’d expect, this is most common with flat roofs and can both be a symptom of some other failure — for example, damaged or clogged drainage — and lead to worse problems like leaking that can cause further damage to the roof, walls, flooring, and furniture. Because the predominant architecture style in the Santa Fe area includes a lot of flat roofs, we make sure to especially keep an eye out for this. 

Lastly, regardless of whether we see obvious pooling or not, we’ll still check the drainage system to make sure it’s in peak shape. This involves checking gutters, downspouts, and internal drains for any blocks or damage. 

Interior assessment 

Although the exterior is obviously the first line of defense on your roof, we’ll check the inside too, where signs can show if you know where to look. 

The most obvious sign of deterioration that we can see from the inside is any sign of leaking, such as discoloration or mildew. 

We’ll also check for poor insulation or ventilation problems, which can be a sign of damage and lead to ice dams which can lead to all sorts of much larger problems. 

Structure review 

Assessing this from both the interior and exterior, we’ll check for any signs of compromised structural integrity. This includes any sagging or warping, which can be from damage to the structural foundation of the home. 

This is especially important to catch early because structural problems can worsen really quickly in the winter with the additional weight of any ice or snow, heightened by temperature changes, freeze-thaw cycles, and the added stress from these factors. 

Bottom line 

To prepare for winter, getting a roof inspection in the fall is a good move. Before the weather turns inclement, you’ll be able to go into winter with the peace of mind that your roof and home will — quite literally — keep you covered. 

And, if something is found to be wrong, a pre-winter inspection will give you the time to get the problem fixed and your roof ready for the more inclement months. 

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to Santa Fe Stucco & Roofing — we’d be happy to answer any questions and of course do any inspections or consultations you may need!