Ice Storm or Hard Freeze? How Forney and Dallas–Fort Worth Homeowners Can Check Their Roof

Why Winter Storms Are Hard on North Texas Roofs

North Texas doesn't see much snow, but some winters bring freezing rain, sleet and hard freezes. Ice adds weight to trees, gutters and the edge of the roof. Limbs that snap under that weight can land on the roof. When the ice melts, water can slip into small openings, like a lifted shingle, worn flashing or a cracked pipe boot. That's why a roof that seemed fine before the storm can start leaking during the thaw.

Stay Safe First

Your roof can wait until it's safe. Before you look for damage:

• Don't climb onto the roof or a ladder while there is ice on the ground, the ladder or the roof
• Stay far away from downed power lines and call your utility company
• Keep people away from sagging ceilings and from water near light fixtures or outlets
• Don't chip or knock ice off the roof or gutters, since that can crack shingles and bend gutters
• Wait for the thaw before taking a closer look from the ground

What to Look For From the Ground

Walk around the house once the ice has melted and look up. Use your phone's zoom if it helps. Signs worth a closer look include:

• Tree limbs on the roof, or broken limbs in the yard near the house
• Missing, lifted or cracked shingles
• Gutters that are sagging, bent or pulling away from the house
• Damage around vents, the chimney or skylights
• Shingle pieces or lots of granules in the yard or at the bottom of downspouts

What to Check Inside Your Home

Some winter storm damage only shows up inside. Check these spots during and after the thaw:

• New brown stains or bubbling paint on ceilings
• Damp spots near the top of outside walls
• Drips or wet insulation you can see from the attic hatch (don't walk across the attic if you aren't sure where it's safe to step)
• A musty smell in rooms that were dry before the storm

If water is already coming in, our guide on what to do about a roof leak covers safe first steps.

Write It Down and Take Photos

Good notes make the next steps easier, whether you need a repair or plan to talk with your insurance company. Write down the date of the storm, what the weather did (freezing rain, sleet or a hard freeze), and when you first noticed each problem. Take dated photos of the roof from the ground, any fallen limbs, gutter damage and ceiling stains. Keep receipts if you buy tarps, buckets or anything else to protect your home.

Repair, Inspection or Insurance Claim?

A roof inspection shows whether you're dealing with one damaged spot or a bigger problem. If the damage is in one area, like a few shingles under a fallen limb, a roof repair may take care of it. If damage is spread across the roof, our guide on roof repair or replacement explains the signs to weigh. If the storm caused the damage, you may want to talk with your insurance company. Rich The Roofer helps homeowners with storm and hail damage insurance claims, and our roof insurance claim guide walks through the steps. Only your insurance company decides what your policy covers.

Questions to Ask Your Roofer After a Winter Storm

These questions help you understand what the roofer found:

• What damage did you find, and can you show me photos?
• Does this look like storm damage or normal wear?
• Is the damage in one area or in several places?
• What should be fixed first to keep water out?
• Is there anything I should watch for the next time it freezes?

Help Your Roof Before the Next Freeze

A little care now can make the next cold snap easier on your roof:

• Keep gutters and downspouts clear so melting ice can drain (see our gutter cleaning guide)
• Have a tree professional trim limbs that hang over the roof
• Get small problems, like loose shingles or a worn pipe boot, fixed before winter weather
• Ask about your attic airflow (our attic ventilation guide explains why it matters)
• Plan regular roof maintenance and use our fall roof maintenance checklist

Winter Roof Repair in Forney and Across DFW

Rich The Roofer is based in Forney, TX and helps homeowners in Dallas, Highland Park and across Dallas–Fort Worth with roof repair, roof maintenance, roof replacement, and storm and hail damage insurance claims. You can see the areas we cover on our service areas page.

Homeowner Questions

Did a Winter Storm Hit Your Roof?

Bring your photos and notes, and we'll check your roof and explain what we find in plain words. Visit richtheroofer.com to schedule a roof inspection with Rich The Roofer, your Forney, TX roofer serving Dallas–Fort Worth.