6 Steps To Take Before Cold Weather Sets In.
As winter approaches, it’s crucial to help your customers protect their roofs—and helping them prepare now makes your work easier later (and boosts customer satisfaction). Here are some practical steps you can share with customers and prospects, so their roofs stay sound during the cold months. Use this information in a handout, in emails, in a blog on your website, or even post on social media to remind homeowners what to look out for.
1. Inspect the Roof Surface
Advise homeowners to take a close look at the roof from the ground (binoculars help). Key things to notice:
- Shingles that are cracked, curled, missing, or have lost granules
- Damaged or decaying roofing materials
- Signs of wind damage
If anything seems dangerous or hard to access, suggest they call you for a more thorough inspection.
2. Examine Flashing Details
Flashing around walls, steps (step flashing), chimneys, skylights, and vent pipes is often a weak spot. Have them check for:
- Cracks, gaps, or corrosion in metal flashing
- Loose or missing sealant
- Flashing lifted by wind
Addressing these early prevents leaks when snow melts or frozen water presses against seams.
3. Inspect Chimneys, Vent Pipes, and Skylights
Skylights and vent penetrations are especially vulnerable. Snow build-up and ice can push water under seals or flashing if they aren’t tight. Remind homeowners to look for cracking, rust, or separation around these penetrations.
4. Assess Attic Condition and Ventilation
A safe attic inspection is one of the best indicators of hidden issues. Ask customers to:
- Look for moisture stains, mold, or daylight through roof boards
- Check for sagging or warped decking
- Make sure attic ventilation is working (intake vents and exhaust vents clear)
Poor ventilation and insulation are often major contributors to ice dams.
5. Keep Gutters Clean and Functional
Fallen leaves, pine needles, and debris clog gutters and downspouts. Emphasize that:
- Gutters should be cleared before winter—and checked periodically during winter
- Blocked gutters force melting snow to back up, freeze, then damage fascia or siding
- Proper drainage keeps water away from foundation and the roof edge
6. Watch Out for Ice Dams
Ice dams are a major winter headache. They form when roof surfaces melt snow (often due to heat escaping), water flows down to colder roof eaves and then freezes. The trapped ice and water can lift shingles, infiltrate underlayment, damage interior ceilings, or lead to mold.
Preventive actions include:
- Ensuring insulation is sufficient so heat doesn’t leak into the attic
- Verifying that roof ventilation is balanced (intake vents low, exhaust vents up high)
- Removing snow safely after storms (using a roof rake, where feasible)
Sharing this kind of checklist with customers builds trust and positions you as a leader and expert in the market. Some people will want to contract you for any repairs or upgrades the inspection reveals. Many will see the list and decide a professional can better do these inspections—so offer that as a service. Either way, sharing this helpful information can drum up some business now or position your company for business later.
And if any of those inspections reveal work needed, remember Marco for the best ventilation, closure, flashing, sealant, and underlayment solutions in the industry! Check out the entire Marco Weather-Tite™ System at www.MarcoIndustries.com. To contact us directly, you can email or call 1-800-800-8590.