Most North Texas winters are mild. Then every few years an ice storm or a hard freeze like February 2021 hits, and roofs that were fine in the fall start leaking. A little preparation in the fall makes those events much easier.
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Clean gutters after the leaves drop
Leaves and debris in gutters hold water, and when it freezes, the ice can back up under the shingles at the roof edge or pull the gutters loose with its weight. Clean them in late fall.
Clear debris off the roof
Leaves and branches in valleys hold moisture against the shingles and block drainage. Have them cleared, especially under trees.
Trim trees
Ice adds a lot of weight to branches. Limbs over the roof are what come down in an ice storm. Trim dead and overhanging branches in the fall.
Treat moss and algae
Moss holds moisture on the roof surface, and freezing and thawing can lift shingle edges around it. Treat it with a roof-safe cleaner and a low-pressure sprayer, never a pressure washer.
Seal air leaks into the attic
Warm air from the house leaking into the attic can melt ice on the upper roof. That water refreezes at the colder eaves and backs up under the shingles. Sealing gaps around light fixtures, the attic hatch and plumbing, and keeping insulation at the right depth, prevents it.
Keep the attic ventilated
Balanced ventilation keeps the roof deck close to outdoor temperature and carries out moisture that would otherwise condense on the cold decking.
Check flashing and vent boots
Cracked vent boots and loose flashing are where winter rain and melting ice get in. Replace them before the season.
After an ice storm
Get a fall inspection
A professional inspection in the fall catches the small problems a freeze turns into leaks. Call (855) 741-ROOF to schedule one for free.