Every October, Lansing does that thing where it goes from sweater weather to full-on arctic blast in about two weeks. If your roof has any weak spots going into that transition — loose flashing, a cracked shingle, clogged gutters — winter is going to find them for you. Usually at the worst possible time.
A quick fall inspection can save you a lot of headache (and money) before the snow hits. Here’s what to look for, what you can check from the ground, and what to let a professional handle.
What You Can Check from the Ground
You don’t need to get up on your roof to do a basic visual inspection. In fact, for most homeowners, staying on the ground is the safer move. Here’s what to look for:
Missing or curling shingles are usually visible from the driveway or sidewalk. If shingles are starting to curl at the edges or you can see bare spots where shingles should be, that’s a problem worth addressing before January.
Granule loss shows up as dark patches or an overall faded look. If your asphalt shingles have been shedding granules, you might notice them collecting in your gutters or downspout splash pads. The shingles may be nearing the end of their lifespan.
Sagging areas anywhere on the roofline can signal structural issues below the surface. Even a slight dip is worth having someone look at.
Check Your Gutters While You’re At It
Fall and gutters are inseparable in Lansing. Between the oak and maple leaves, your gutters can go from clear to completely blocked in a couple of weeks. But gutter cleaning isn’t just an aesthetic thing; clogged gutters in winter create ice dams.
Here’s how that works: when gutters can’t drain properly, water backs up and freezes along the eave. That ice dam then forces water up under your shingles and into your attic or walls. We see this every year across Greater Lansing, and it’s almost always preventable.
While you’re cleaning out the gutters, check for any sections that are pulling away from the fascia board, sagging in the middle, or showing rust spots. Gutters that can’t handle the weight of Michigan’s snow and ice are a liability.
Inside the Attic: Don’t Skip This Step
Your attic tells you a lot about your roof’s condition. A quick look before winter can reveal problems that aren’t visible from outside:
Daylight coming through the roof deck means there are gaps that need to be addressed immediately. Water stains or dark streaks on the rafters or decking indicate a leak that may have been slowly developing all summer. And if your attic feels warmer than it should in fall, you may have a ventilation issue. Proper ventilation is what keeps ice dams from forming in the first place.
When to Call a Roofing Professional
The rule of thumb we give most Lansing homeowners: if you’re seeing two or more of these warning signs, it’s worth having a professional come out before the first hard freeze. A good roofer can do a thorough inspection, give you an honest assessment, and let you know whether you’re looking at a repair, some preventive maintenance, or whether it makes more sense to plan for a replacement in spring.
At Capital Roofing, our fall inspections are free. We’ll tell you exactly what we find, and if there’s nothing urgent, we’ll say so. We’d rather you have a stress-free winter than talk you into unnecessary work.
Ready to schedule your free roof inspection? Call or text Capital Roofing at (517) 896-5872 or visit capitalroofingpro.com. Serving Lansing, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, St. Johns, Okemos, and communities across Greater Lansing.