Freeze-thaw cycles, heavy summer storms and dense tree cover make this region hard on roofs. A simple yearly rhythm.
Spring
The goal in spring is clearing winter's damage before the storm season.
- Clear gutters and downspouts completely; standing water at the eaves is the start of most fascia rot.
- Look for shingles displaced by winter wind and any granule loss below valleys.
- Check that downspouts discharge well away from the foundation.
Summer
Heat is the stress in summer. Attic temperature drives shingle temperature, and a poorly ventilated attic can cook a roof from underneath and shorten its life by years.
- Confirm soffit vents are not blocked by insulation.
- Check that ridge or box vents are clear and undamaged.
- Trim branches back so they cannot abrade the surface in wind.
Autumn
This is the most important visit of the year in a region with heavy leaf fall.
- Clean gutters twice if you have mature trees — once mid-fall and once after the last drop.
- Clear valleys of packed debris, which holds moisture against the shingle surface.
- Inspect pipe boots and flashing before freeze-thaw begins.
Winter
Ice dams form when heat escaping into the attic melts snow that then refreezes at the cold eave. The fix is insulation and ventilation, not chipping at the ice — which damages shingles and is dangerous from a ladder.
Watch for icicles forming along a single section of eave; that is usually where heat is escaping.