Roof Maintenance Calendar

March – April: Post-Winter Wake-Up

Front Range winters batter roofs with freeze-thaw cycles, ice dam pressure at eaves, and intermittent heavy snow loads. Spring is when winter damage shows up, and it's the right time to set up the roof for hail season.

• Walk the perimeter — look for granules in downspout splashes (asphalt loss)
• Check fascia and soffit for ice dam staining
• Look for lifted, curled, or missing shingles, especially on the south-facing slope
• Clear gutters of winter debris (avoids spring storm overflow)
• Schedule pre-storm-season professional inspection — beat the May–July booking rush

May – August: Hail & Wind Season

Colorado's peak severe-weather window. Front Range averages 3–5 hail events per year of damaging size (1"+); Cheyenne and the eastern plains average more. The single best maintenance behavior in this window is fast post-storm response.

• Sign up for NWS storm alerts for your zip code
• Inspect after every hail event of 1"+ — even if the roof "looks fine"
• Document any damage with photos within 48 hours (claim filing is easier early)
• Check gutters and downspouts after high-wind events for displacement
• After major events, walk the property for tree-fall risk near the roof line

September – October: Pre-Winter Prep

The two-month window before snow becomes the dominant load. The work you do in fall determines whether winter creates problems.

• Full gutter and downspout cleanout (twice if you have heavy tree cover)
• Trim branches back at least 6 ft from the roof surface
• Inspect and re-seal any flashing transitions (chimneys, walls, skylights)
• Verify attic ventilation is balanced and unobstructed (insulation can shift over a year)
• Confirm sealant condition on pipe boots and roof penetrations
• Schedule any known repairs before contractor schedules fill for winter emergencies

November – February: Winter Watch

You won't (and shouldn't) climb the roof in winter — but there are still meaningful checks from inside and at ground level.

• Watch attic ceilings for any new water staining or discoloration
• Look for icicle formation along eaves (heavy icicles indicate ice damming + ventilation issues)
• Listen for creaking or popping in the attic during heavy snow loads
• Clear snow drift from valleys and chimneys when accessible from the ground (long-handled roof rake)
• After a major snow event with heavy melt-refreeze cycles, check for water staining at the top plate
• Address active leaks immediately — emergency mitigation (tarp, water diversion) prevents interior damage

Annual Professional Inspection

Residential roof replacement tiers from AC INC Roofing include five years of free annual HAAG Certified inspections. The point isn't a sales touchpoint — it's catching small issues (lifted shingles after a downslope wind event, sealant aging on flashing, gutter pitch drift) before they cause leaks and before warranty paperwork gets harder. Even if you didn't buy your roof from us, a paid annual inspection is one of the cheapest forms of insurance in homeownership.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have a professional roof inspection?

Annually for any roof more than 5 years old, plus after any hail event of 1"+ or significant wind event (60+ MPH gusts). Roofs in their first 5 years usually only need post-storm inspections.

Should I clean my own gutters?

Only if you're comfortable on a ladder and the home is single-story. Two-story gutter cleaning is consistently the most-injured DIY home maintenance task in CDC injury data. We do gutter cleaning as a small add-on service for $200–$400 depending on linear footage.

Is it worth installing gutter guards?

Yes for heavily-treed properties (cottonwood, pine needle accumulation, oak debris) where annual cleaning costs would exceed gutter-guard install within 3–4 years. Less compelling for tree-light properties where annual cleaning is fast and cheap. Quality of the guard matters — micro-mesh systems work; foam inserts mostly don't.