How Winter Weather Woke Me Up to My Roof’s Reality

You never really think about your roof—like really think about it—until it’s screaming for attention in the dead of winter. I know I didn’t. To me, my roof was just… there. A silent, reliable friend, keeping me warm and dry while I binge-watched Netflix in fuzzy socks. That was until last January, when my cozy homeowner bubble burst in the most dramatic way possible.

It started innocently enough—Olympia’s usual gray skies, a bit of drizzle, the kind of weather that makes you crave soup. But then the rain turned into snow, the snow turned into ice, and suddenly, my roof decided it had had enough. Cue the ominous dripping noise in my living room. Not from a window. Not from a pipe. But from the actual ceiling. (Insert minor freakout here.)

I’ve since become a reluctant expert on how winter weather can wreak havoc on a roof, and I’m here to spill the tea so you don’t end up where I did—Googling “emergency roofing repairs near me” while clutching a bucket.

The not-so-cute side of snow

I know, snow in Olympia isn’t exactly Snowpocalypse, but even a couple of inches can cause some serious problems. For one, snow is heavy. Add a little rain into the mix, and suddenly, your roof is carrying more weight than your New Year’s gym bag. (No judgment.) If your roof is older, like mine, that extra pressure can lead to sagging or worse—cracks. And cracks, my friends, are an open invitation for leaks.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on snow melting and refreezing at the edges. Ever heard of ice dams? Yeah, neither had I. Turns out, they’re not cute little winter decorations. They’re walls of frozen misery that trap water on your roof, just waiting for a weak spot to exploit. I learned this the hard way when a particularly vindictive ice dam turned my attic into a damp, soggy mess.

Cold, sneaky leaks

If you’ve ever found a puddle of water indoors and thought, “Hmm, must be a ghost,” I promise you—it’s not. Winter leaks are sneaky, and they can show up in the weirdest places. My personal favorite? A slow drip right above my coffee table. Nothing says good morning like a wet couch cushion.

Leaks often happen because freezing temperatures cause materials to expand and contract. That tiny shingle crack you ignored in October? Winter turns it into a full-blown water slide for melted snow. And here’s the kicker: leaks don’t just ruin your drywall. Left unchecked, they can lead to mold, which is a whole other nightmare I won’t even get into right now.

Wind + shingles = heartbreak

Let’s talk about winter wind. You know those gusts that rattle your windows and make you question your life choices? They’re not just annoying—they’re also excellent at ripping shingles right off your roof.

I didn’t notice the problem until I spotted a random piece of asphalt shingle in my yard one morning. At first, I thought, “Oh, someone else must have roof issues.” (Denial is a beautiful thing.) But nope. That lonely shingle belonged to me. Missing shingles are like little flags saying, “Hey, rain, come on in!” Not ideal.

Enter Equity Roofing and Exteriors

At this point, I knew I needed help—real, professional help. Not just a YouTube tutorial or a DIY patch kit from the hardware store. That’s when I found Equity Roofing and Exteriors, LLC. Can I just say, lifesavers? Actual lifesavers.

First off, they offer free consultations, which was a huge relief because I had no idea where to start. They came out, inspected my roof (without making me feel like a clueless newbie), and gave me a clear rundown of what was going on. The best part? They actually explained things in English—not contractor jargon.

And since I’m all about sustainability, I was thrilled to learn they offer eco-friendly, energy-efficient materials. It felt good knowing my new roof upgrades wouldn’t just protect my house but also help lower my heating bill. Win-win.

How to know when it’s time for repairs or replacement

Here’s what I learned from the pros at Equity Roofing: winter roof damage doesn’t always look dramatic at first. Sometimes it’s subtle—like a small leak or a patch of shingles that just doesn’t look quite right. But these “little” issues can snowball (pun intended) into major problems if you ignore them.

Signs it’s time for repairs:

• Water stains on your ceiling or walls. If you see them, it’s not a good sign.

• Sagging gutters. These could mean water isn’t draining properly, which puts your roof at risk.

• Loose or missing shingles. Don’t wait until they all blow away.

• Drafts in your attic. This could mean your insulation isn’t doing its job.

Signs it might be time for a full replacement:

• Your roof is over 20 years old. (Ahem, guilty.)

• There’s widespread damage—like cracked shingles or multiple leaks.

• You notice mold or rot, especially in the attic.

What I’d do differently (aka my winter game plan)

This winter, I’m not playing games with my roof. I’ve already scheduled a pre-season inspection with Equity Roofing, and I highly recommend you do the same. They’ll catch problems before they become, well, my January nightmare. Plus, knowing your roof is in good shape makes winter storms way less stressful.

Also, I’m staying on top of maintenance this year. No more clogged gutters or ignoring that weird draft in the attic. I even invested in a roof rake (who knew that was a thing?), so I can clear off snow without risking life and limb.

If you’re in Olympia or nearby, seriously, don’t wait until you’re mopping up a puddle like I was. Call Equity Roofing or check out their Google Business Profile. They’ll save your sanity—and your couch cushions.

Take it from me: your roof deserves a little love this winter. Because trust me, nothing kills the cozy vibes faster than a ceiling drip.