A Spring Roof Inspection Checklist for the Hudson Valley

Freeze-thaw cycles are the real enemy up here. Here is the seven-point walk-around we do with every homeowner after the snow clears.

The Hudson Valley sees roughly 70 freeze-thaw cycles every winter. That means water slides into a shingle seam at 34 degrees, freezes at 30, and expands with about 40,000 psi of force. Do that twice a week for three months and you understand why small cracks become leaks.

Start from the ground with binoculars. Look for curled corners on south-facing slopes — they bake hardest in summer and brittle-fracture first. Missing granules piling up in the downspout splash block are an even earlier sign.

Work up to the attic next. A flashlight on a sunny day will reveal pinholes you can see daylight through. Mark each one with blue tape so the roofer can find it from outside.

Flashings — chimney, sidewall, valley — are where 80% of leaks begin. Sealant shrinks. Metal shifts. If caulk is your chimney flashing strategy, replace it this year.

Check for ice-dam residue at the eaves. Dark, wavy streaks in the paint or drywall below the top plate mean water backed up under the shingles this winter. Next winter, heat cable or an ice-and-water upgrade is the fix.

Finally, gutters. A 1/4-inch layer of debris in a 5" K-style gutter reduces capacity by nearly 20%. That water ends up behind the fascia — where repairs get expensive fast.

When in doubt, book an inspection. Ours is flat-fee, credited against work if you end up hiring us, and delivered as a written report within 48 hours.