A Roof Over My Head: One Homeowner’s Seasonal Roofing Journal

Introduction

Spring – March 17

The snows finally melted, and I’m staring at my backyard wondering how it turned into a pond. I check the gutters—overflowing with last fall’s leaves. That’s on me. I grab a ladder and scoop out the mess, only to find that one of the brackets is loose. Not a great start to the season.

I make a mental note: this spring, I won’t just react. I’ll be proactive about everything—starting with the roof. It’s been eight years since the last roof replacement, and while it looks decent from the ground, I know appearances can be deceiving. The next heavy rain might not be so forgiving.

Spring – April 2

Walked to the perimeter of the house today. Spotted a shingle curling up on the back slope and a small patch where the gutter’s pulling away from the fascia. That’s when I decided to call in a professional just to give things a once-over.

Mike Ragan Roofing came up in a neighborhood thread. I gave them a call—not for an emergency, but just to have another set of eyes confirm my suspicions. Better now than later.

Spring – April 28

Inspection done. Verdict: normal wear and tear, but the gutters definitely need rehanging in a few spots. Also found some minor lifting near the chimney flashing. Luckily, nothing major. Still, it’s humbling to realize how easily problems can go unnoticed.

I’m reminded how important it is to not just focus on repairs when things go wrong, but also to keep up with preventative checks. Roofs, after all, are like people—they age.

Summer – June 10

Heatwave. The attic is stifling, so I pop up to see what’s going on. The insulation seems intact, but I notice some condensation marks. Looks like my ventilation may not be cutting it during the high temps.

This is also the season I worry most about new construction roofs going up around the neighborhood. I’ve seen half a dozen just in the last month. Some are smartly integrating proper underlayment and venting systems. Others… well, I wouldn’t want to be their homeowner in ten years.

If I ever add onto the house and need an addition roof, I’ll make sure to learn from these examples.

Summer – July 19

Had a friend over today who’s considering switching to metal roofing. She wants something longer lasting and more reflective in the summer heat. I told her to consider both the benefits and the challenges—like expansion noises and needing different gutters. Honestly, if I were doing a full overhaul, I’d think about it too.

But for now, I’m sticking with regular inspections and minor tweaks. Maintenance is cheaper than overhaul.

Fall – September 5

The first leaves have started falling. This year, I’m not waiting until the gutters clog. I’ve installed guards on the front and side downspouts. So far, they’re doing the trick.

Also took some time to inspect the roof after a brief windstorm last week. Found some grit from shingles in the gutters—not unusual, but worth noting. Another reason why routine checks matter. Those granules play a big role in protecting the roof from UV damage.

Fall – October 22

Talked with a neighbor about his roof repairs this week. Turns out a minor drip he ignored for three months turned into a major mold issue. That’s one more nudge for me to keep doing what I’m doing.

Preventative maintenance may not be flashy, but it pays off.

Winter – December 8

Snow is here. I went up once to rake the lower edge of the roof—not because I needed to, but because I wanted to be cautious. Ice dams are no joke.

I’m also watching how my gutters handle the freeze-thaw cycles. So far, so good. No sagging, no ice blockages. Makes me think all those little springs and fall fixes really do add up.

Winter – January 14

Reflected a bit on the full year of care I’ve given the roof. It wasn’t dramatic. No major repairs, no massive expenses. Just a steady rhythm of observation, seasonal check-ins, and occasional tweaks.

That’s the win. Roofing doesn’t have to be reactive.

And you know what? This journal helped me stay accountable. Writing down every step—every check, every call—made me realize how often roofing is an afterthought. But it shouldn’t be.

A Year in Review: What I Learned

• Roof replacement isn’t something you should only think about when there’s a leak. It starts with how well you maintain the one you’ve got.
• New construction roofs must be planned with future maintenance in mind—especially in terms of drainage, ventilation, and material choice.
• Addition roofs can become weak spots if they’re not integrated properly into the rest of the home’s structure.
• Properly working gutters are more critical than most homeowners realize.
• Repairs done early are cheaper, easier, and more effective than waiting for damage to spread.

Final Thought

Roofs aren’t just layers of asphalt or metal. They’re your home’s first defense against the elements. Whether you’re dealing with age, expansion, or aesthetics, care makes the difference. And sometimes, that care is as simple as keeping a journal—one season at a time.