Idaho weather is hard on roofs. Here's what to do each season.
Boise weather is all over the place. Hot summers, cold winters, occasional hail, and wild temperature swings. Your roof takes a beating.
The good news? A little seasonal maintenance can prevent most roof problems. It doesn't take much time, and it can save you thousands in repairs.
Here's exactly what to do each season to keep your roof in good shape and extend its lifespan.
Winter is rough on roofs. Snow, ice, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause all kinds of damage. Spring is the time to check for it.
Look for missing or damaged shingles. Walk around your house and look up. Do you see any shingles that are cracked, curled, or missing? Winter wind and ice can tear them loose.
Check your gutters and downspouts. Clean out any leaves, branches, or debris that built up over the winter. Make sure water can flow freely. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up under your shingles and leak into your roof.
Inspect flashing around chimneys and vents. Ice and snow can damage flashing and create gaps where water can sneak in. Look for rust, cracks, or loose sections.
Go into your attic. Look for water stains, mold, or damp insulation. These are signs of an active leak that needs fixing ASAP.
If you spot any issues, get them repaired before summer. Small problems turn into big ones fast.
Boise summers get hot. All that sun and heat can break down your shingles over time. Here's what to watch for:
Check for granule loss. Asphalt shingles are coated with small granules that protect them from UV rays. As shingles age, they lose granules. Check your gutters—if they're full of grit, your shingles are wearing out.
Look for curling or blistering shingles. Heat can cause shingles to curl at the edges or develop blisters. Both are signs your roof is aging and might need attention soon.
Trim overhanging branches. Trees provide shade, which is great. But branches that hang over your roof can scrape shingles, drop debris, and create moisture problems. Trim them back a few feet.
Make sure your attic is ventilated. Poor ventilation traps heat in your attic, which can literally cook your shingles from below and shorten their lifespan. If your attic is crazy hot, you might need better vents.
Summer is also a good time to schedule a professional roof inspection if you haven't had one in a while.
Fall is prep season. You want your roof ready for snow, ice, and freezing temps. Here's your checklist:
Clean your gutters thoroughly. This is the most important fall maintenance task. Gutters full of leaves can't drain properly. When water backs up and freezes, it can create ice dams that damage your roof and cause leaks.
Inspect and repair any damage. If you've been putting off minor repairs, now's the time to handle them. You don't want to deal with a leaky roof in January.
Check your attic insulation. Good insulation keeps warm air from melting snow on your roof, which reduces the risk of ice dams. If your insulation is thin or damaged, beef it up before winter.
Look at your roof from the ground. Do you see any moss or algae growth? It's more common in shaded areas. Moss holds moisture against your shingles, which can cause rot. If you see it, get it cleaned off.
Getting your roof winter-ready now will save you headaches later.
Winter roof maintenance is mostly about monitoring for problems. Don't climb on your roof in winter—it's dangerous. But there are a few things you can do from the ground:
Watch for ice dams. These form when snow melts on your roof, runs down to the cold eaves, and refreezes. The ice blocks water from draining, which can force it under your shingles and into your house. If you see icicles or ice buildup at your roof's edge, that's a sign.
Remove heavy snow if needed. A few inches of snow won't hurt your roof. But if you get a big dump—especially wet, heavy snow—it might be worth carefully removing some of it with a roof rake. Just be careful not to damage your shingles.
Check for leaks inside. After a snowstorm or warm spell, check your attic and ceilings for water stains or drips. Catching a leak early can prevent major damage.
Keep an eye on your gutters. If they're full of ice, that's a problem. It usually means water isn't draining properly. You might need to address it before it causes damage.
A few things you should do all year long:
Do visual inspections regularly. Once a month, walk around your house and look up at your roof. You're not looking for anything specific—just checking that everything looks normal.
Keep trees trimmed. Overhanging branches are a problem in every season. Keep them trimmed back year-round.
Address problems immediately. If you spot damage, don't wait. Small issues get worse fast, and they're cheaper to fix early.
Schedule a professional inspection every few years. Even if your roof looks fine, it's smart to have a pro check it out every 2-3 years. They'll catch things you might miss.
Don't want to deal with roof maintenance yourself? We get it. Climbing on ladders isn't everyone's idea of a good time.
We offer seasonal roof inspections and maintenance services. We'll check your roof, clean your gutters, make minor repairs, and let you know if anything needs attention.
Your roof doesn't need a ton of maintenance, but it does need some. A little effort each season can prevent big problems and help your roof last its full lifespan.
Clean your gutters, check for damage, fix small issues fast, and get a professional inspection every few years. That's really all it takes.
Your roof protects everything you own. Take care of it, and it'll take care of you.
We'll check your roof and let you know exactly what it needs.
Call (208) 505-9352