Utah Winter Roof Prep: The 9-Point Checklist Chester Homeowners Use to Prevent Leaks and Ice Dams

If you’ve lived through a Central Utah winter, you know the drill: warm days, freezing nights, and snow that likes to hang out on your roof a little too long. That freeze-thaw cycle is tough on shingles, flashing, and gutters—and it’s exactly what creates ice dams and mid-winter leaks. The good news? A couple of smart checks in late fall can save you from the emergency bucket-in-the-hallway situation in January.

Below is a practical, no-nonsense checklist from the team at TJ Roofing—family-owned, fully insured, and roofing Chester, UT and nearby communities for 30+ years. Use this list to spot problems early, and if anything looks off, we can swing by for a quick inspection and plan the right fix before storms roll in.

Quick primer: why ice dams happen here

Snow melts on a warm roof, runs down to the colder eaves, then refreezes at the gutter line. Water backs up behind that “ice dam” and sneaks under shingles. Two big culprits: poor attic ventilation and not enough insulation. The checklist below tackles both—plus all the little trouble points that like to leak first.

The 9-Point Winter Roof Checklist

1) Scan the shingles (from the ground or with a safe ladder)

Look for missing tabs, cracked or curling shingles, exposed nail heads, and places where shingles look “bald” (granules gone). Pay special attention to the windward side of your home and around dormers or valleys—those areas take the brunt of winter weather in Sanpete County.

If you see: more than a handful of problem shingles, schedule Roof Repair to replace them and re-seal fasteners before snow sets in.

2) Inspect flashing at chimneys, skylights, and sidewalls

Flashing is thin metal that keeps water out where materials meet. Temperature swings can loosen it or dry out the sealant. If you can see gaps, cracked caulk, or rust, that’s a red flag.

Pro tip: Chimney step flashing and counter-flashing are top leak sources in winter. Re-sealing now is a quick, high-value fix.

3) Clean and test your gutters and downspouts

Clogged gutters hold water. When that water freezes, it becomes heavy ice that pries at the edge of your roof and feeds ice dams. Clear out leaves and grit, then run a hose to make sure downspouts drain freely away from the foundation.

Consider: Gutter guards if your trees drop a lot of debris in late fall. They’re a small upgrade that prevents big winter headaches.

4) Check attic ventilation (soffit + ridge are a team)

Look for continuous airflow from soffit vents up to the ridge vent. If soffit vents are painted over or packed with insulation, air stalls—and a warm attic means more melt-refreeze on the roof. In a quick check, you should feel a faint draft at the soffits and see daylight in the baffles along the eaves.

What we fix: Add or clear baffles, open blocked soffits, repair ridge vent sections, and balance intake vs. exhaust. Proper ventilation helps the roof stay cold and dry.

5) Verify attic insulation depth and distribution

Uneven insulation creates warm “hot spots” that melt snow from below. You want a consistent blanket with no low spots at the eaves. If you can see joists across large areas, you probably need more. Insulation upgrades pair perfectly with ventilation tune-ups for maximum ice-dam prevention.

Bonus: Better insulation keeps living spaces more comfortable and can reduce heating costs.

6) Seal warm-air leaks into the attic

Before adding insulation, stop the leaks: around recessed lights, bath fan penetrations, plumbing stacks, and attic hatches. Use the right high-temp caulk/foam and weatherstrip the hatch. This step doesn’t just prevent ice dams—it keeps moisture out of the attic, which protects sheathing and rafters over time.

7) Look at valleys and eaves for underlayment readiness

In snow country, critical edges and valleys benefit from ice-and-water shield underlayment. If your roof is older or you’ve had previous ice-dam issues, ask us to lift a small section at the eave/valley during an inspection to verify coverage. If it’s absent or brittle, we’ll outline options before the next re-roof.

8) Trim back overhanging branches

Branches drop needles and leaves all fall and shade your roof so snow lingers. After the leaves are down, trim branches back several feet from the roof edge. This reduces debris, adds sun (natural snow removal), and cuts down on scrape damage in windy storms.

9) Prep for emergencies: the 24-hour plan

Take five minutes to set up a winter “roof kit”: roof-safe snow rake, heavy-duty tarp, plastic roof cement, and a flashlight. Save (801) 427-6470 in your phone under “TJ Roofing – Emergency.” The goal isn’t DIY repairs; it’s to stabilize safely until a pro arrives.

When a quick repair beats a replacement (and when it doesn’t)

Not every winter issue means a new roof. If your shingles still have life, targeted repairs—re-sealing flashing, swapping damaged shingles, tightening fasteners, cleaning/realigning gutters—can carry you through multiple seasons. But if you’re seeing widespread granule loss, curling across whole slopes, soft decking, or leaks in multiple areas, a Roof Replacement consult is smart. We can price different materials (asphalt, metal) and talk through timelines so you’re not rushing in a storm.

Metal vs. asphalt for Central Utah winters

Many homeowners ask about metal for snow-shedding and longevity. Metal roofs shed snow quickly, which reduces load and ice buildup; modern profiles and underlayments also address noise concerns. High-quality asphalt systems with proper ice-and-water shield and balanced ventilation remain a strong, budget-friendly choice. If you’re on the fence, we’ll show side-by-side options for your roof pitch, architecture, and goals.

What an inspection with TJ Roofing includes

• Exterior walk-around + roof surface check (shingles, flashing, penetrations)

• Attic assessment (ventilation, insulation, moisture signs)

• Gutter and eave review (ice-dam risk points)

• Photo report you can understand (no jargon)

• Clear next steps: repair, maintenance, or replacement—with transparent pricing

We’ve served Chester and the surrounding area for over three decades. That means if we say a quick repair will carry you through the next few winters, we’ll stand behind it. If we recommend replacement, it’s because your roof is past the point where “patching” is worth your money.

Download: The 9-Point Winter Roof Checklist (Printable)

Turn this into a simple one-page fridge checklist for December:

1. Shingle scan (missing/cracked/curling, exposed nails)

2. Flashing check (chimneys, skylights, sidewalls)

3. Clean/test gutters and downspouts

4. Confirm soffit + ridge ventilation is open and continuous

5. Level up attic insulation (no low spots, especially at eaves)

6. Seal warm-air leaks (lights, fans, stacks, hatch)

7. Verify ice-and-water shield at eaves/valleys (or schedule inspection)

8. Trim back overhanging branches

9. Set up a winter “roof kit” and save our emergency number

Ready to winterize your roof?

Download the free winter roof checklist and book a no-pressure inspection with TJ Roofing. We’ll handle the details so you can enjoy winter without worrying about what’s happening over your head.

• Call: (801) 427-6470

• Email: tjroofingut@gmail.com

• Chester, UT and surrounding areas