Spring Thaw & Post-Winter Inspection

Spring Thaw & Post-Winter Roof Inspection

March in West Michigan is the month your roof finally gets a chance to breathe. But don’t mistake the warming temps for an all-clear. The freeze-thaw abuse of January and February leaves behind a trail of damage that’s only now becoming visible. A thorough post-winter inspection in March is one of the most important things you can do to protect your home before spring storms arrive.

Why March Is the Right Time to Inspect

By early March, most of the snow and ice has cleared from your roof surface, giving you – and a professional – a clear view of what winter actually did. Shingles that survived a November inspection may now be cracked, curled, or missing granules after months of freeze-thaw cycling. Flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents may have shifted or separated. Gutters that held up through December can be pulled loose from the weight of ice dams. March is when all of that becomes visible and actionable.

Waiting until summer to deal with winter damage is a gamble. Spring in West Michigan brings heavy rains and occasional severe storms – and a roof weakened by winter is far more vulnerable to those conditions. Catching problems now means you repair on your schedule, not in the middle of a leak emergency.

What to Look for After Winter

Start from the ground with a pair of binoculars if you can. Look for shingles that appear lifted, buckled, or absent. Check the gutters for an unusual amount of granule buildup – that grainy material collects in gutters when shingles have lost significant surface integrity. Look along the roofline for any sagging sections that weren’t there in the fall.

Inside, check your attic for any new water staining on the sheathing or rafters. Even a small leak that seeped through during a January thaw may have dried up but left a visible mark. Those marks tell you exactly where your roof is vulnerable before the next rain hits.

Spring Storm Prep Starts Now

West Michigan’s spring storm season can bring high winds, hail, and sustained heavy rain — sometimes all in the same week. A roof with compromised shingles or loose flashing going into that season is a liability. Minor repairs handled in March are a fraction of the cost of emergency repairs in May after a storm has pushed water through an already-weakened spot.

If winter revealed that your roof is nearing the end of its service life, March is also a smart time to start planning a replacement. Roofing contractors’ schedules fill up fast in spring, and getting on the calendar early gives you more flexibility on timing and cost. Explore your replacement options before the spring rush locks up availability.

Don’t Forget the Gutters

After a West Michigan winter, gutters often need more than a rinse. Ice dams and heavy snow loads can pull gutters away from the fascia, bend hangers, or crack seams. Walk your perimeter and look for sections that are visibly tilted, separated from the roofline, or showing rust and cracks. Properly functioning gutters are critical for directing spring rain away from your foundation – don’t head into the wet season with a compromised drainage system. Learn more about gutter repair and replacement.

Schedule Your Post-Winter Inspection

A professional roof inspection after winter gives you a complete, documented picture of your roof’s condition — including areas you can’t safely access yourself. The Horizon Roofing team knows exactly what West Michigan winters do to roofs and what to look for heading into spring. Schedule your post-winter inspection today and go into spring with confidence.