Licensed roofing professionals • Fort Wayne, IN • 15+ years experience
Roof Maintenance That Prevents Storm Damage
The roofs that fail worst in storms aren't the oldest — they're the most neglected. A well-maintained 15-year-old roof outperforms a neglected 8-year-old roof in the same hail event. Here's the annual maintenance that keeps your roof storm-ready.
Spring (March to April) — Pre-Storm Season
Professional inspection. Have a qualified roofer inspect all shingle surfaces, flashing points, penetrations, ridge cap, and eave edges. Fix anything they find before storm season.
Gutter cleaning. Remove all debris from gutters and downspouts. Verify water flows freely. Reattach any loose gutter sections.
Tree trimming. Cut back branches to 6+ feet from the roof surface. Remove dead branches at any distance.
Flashing check. Inspect all sealant around chimney flashing, wall transitions, and vent pipes. Re-seal any cracked or separated joints.
Shingle re-adhesion. Check for lifted shingle edges and re-seal with roofing cement.
Summer (June to July) — Mid-Season Check
Post-storm assessment. After any significant weather event, do a ground-level walk-around checking for visible damage, dented gutters, and debris on the roof.
Attic ventilation check. Ensure soffit vents aren't blocked by insulation and ridge vents are clear. Proper ventilation prevents moisture-related deck weakening.
Protect Your Roof Before the Next Storm
Get a professional assessment of your roof's storm readiness. We'll identify vulnerabilities and recommend upgrades that actually make a difference.
Get Storm-Readiness Assessment → Or call: (260) 255-4551Fall (October to November) — Pre-Winter
Gutter cleaning round two. Remove fallen leaves. Clear downspouts. This prevents ice dams in winter.
Final inspection. Check the roof one more time before winter locks everything down. Address any issues found during summer storms.
Ice dam prevention. Verify attic insulation is adequate (R-49 recommended for Fort Wayne). Ensure no warm air is leaking into the attic through recessed lights, ductwork, or attic hatches. Heat leakage into the attic is the primary cause of ice dams.
Winter (December to February)
Monitor snow load. Fort Wayne rarely gets enough snow to threaten roof structures, but if accumulation exceeds 2 feet on a low-slope roof, consider professional snow removal.
Ice dam watch. If icicles form along the eave, an ice dam may be developing behind them. Monitor for interior water stains near exterior walls on the top floor.
The Cost of This Program
DIY maintenance (gutter cleaning, visual checks, sealant): free to $50 per season in materials.
Professional inspection: $150 to $300 annually.
Minor repairs identified during inspection: $100 to $500.
Total annual maintenance budget: $250 to $850.
Compare to the average hail damage claim in Allen County ($8,000 to $15,000 minus your deductible) and the math is obvious. Maintenance is the cheapest insurance you can buy.