I've seen it a thousand times. A homeowner calls me in the middle of a January blizzard because water is dripping on their kitchen table. By then, it's an emergency. But if they had spent a few minutes with a roof inspection checklist back in October, we could have fixed the problem for a few hundred bucks.
In Utah, our weather is brutal. We have 100-degree summers and sub-zero winters. That constant expanding and contracting is like bending a paperclip back and forth—eventually, something is going to break. Here is what you need to check before the next big storm hits.
The "Ground-Level" Forensic Audit
You don't even need a ladder for the first part. Walk around your house and look at the "valleys" and the "aprons." Do you see granules piling up in the gutters? That's a sign your shingles are reaching the end of their life. Look for missing shingles or "shingle-tabs" on the lawn after a windstorm. If you see them, your sealant has failed and your home is exposed.
Wrapping it up
Don't wait for the drip. If your roof is over 15 years old, it needs a professional eye. Use this checklist twice a year and you'll never be surprised by a leaky ceiling. Stay proactive, Utah!
