Thankful Roofs, Ready for Winter Rain

The best winter prep is simple: fix small problems now, before steady rain finds them. Monsoon storms are loud and fast, but winter storms can bring hours of gentle, soaking rain, and that's when a cracked tile or tired underlayment finally lets water through.

Start with the summer damage. Wind and heat may have cracked tiles, lifted shingles or loosened flashing. Much of it is hard to see from the yard without binoculars.

Clear the drainage path. Leaves, haboob dust and nesting material collect in valleys, gutters and scuppers. When water can't drain, it backs up under tile and onto flat sections.

Look at flat roofs and coatings. If you have a flat or foam section over a patio or addition, watch for water that lingers for days after a rain, cracked coating or soft spots.

Check penetrations. Pipe boots, vents and old cooler openings dry out in the sun, and they're some of the most common leak points we repair.

Winter is also a comfortable time for bigger projects. If something needs attention, our roof repair and maintenance team can take a look, or you can contact us for a free estimate.

• Look for tile pieces, shingle bits or granules that summer storms left in the yard and gutters.
• Clean gutters and downspouts, and make sure downspouts carry water away from the foundation.
• Check flat or foam sections for cracked coating and water that sits for days after rain.
• Look at ceilings under patios and additions, where they tie into the main roof.
• Trim back trees before winter winds rub branches against the roof edge.
• Schedule repairs now, before the first winter storm.

After the first good winter rain, take a slow walk through the house and look up. Fresh ceiling stains, a musty smell or damp insulation in the attic (if you can reach it safely and stay on the framing) are early signs of a leak. Catching one after the first storm is far easier than after the fifth.

Our winter roof care tips for Arizona cover more.

Keep the drainage clear and have the roof surface checked once or twice a year. Drains, scuppers and gutters on flat roofs clog with leaves, dust and nesting material, and water that sits more than a day or two after rain is worth a closer look. Watch seams and the areas around rooftop equipment, and limit foot traffic. Foam roofs also need periodic recoating to protect the foam from UV. See our flat, foam and coated roof FAQ.

Agritopia is a 166-acre Gilbert neighborhood off Loop 202, built on the Johnston family's former farm, with an urban farm, produce fields, fruit trees and a community garden at its heart. Its roughly 452 homes, cottages and bungalows date from 2003 onward and follow early-20th-century Arizona styles such as Spanish eclectic, craftsman and ranch, so roofs here vary more from house to house than in a typical Gilbert subdivision. Learn more on our Agritopia roofing page.

Phoenix's longest stretch of 100-degree days on record lasted 113 days in a row, from May 27 to September 16, 2024, according to the National Weather Service. That's a lot of sun for a roof to take, and one more reason to be thankful for cooler November days.