Getting Your Roof Ready for a Warren County Winter

By Hackettstown Roof Repair · October 16, 2026

In a county that averages 30 to 40 inches of snow a year, an hour of fall prep can save a winter of leaks.

Winter in Warren County means snow on the roof for days or weeks at a time, ice at the eaves, freeze-thaw cycles and the occasional heavy, wet storm that brings down branches. Most of the roof problems that show up in January and February start as small things that could have been fixed in October or November. Here's a checklist to work through each fall.

1. Clean the gutters - after the leaves fall

Around Hackettstown, the leaves usually aren't fully down until well into November. Clean the gutters after most have fallen, not before. Clogged gutters hold water that freezes, make ice dams worse, and add weight that pulls gutters away from the house. Flush the downspouts and make sure they drain away from the foundation.

2. Look at the roof from the ground

With binoculars, check every slope for:

• Missing, cracked or curled shingles
• Slipped or broken slates
• Loose or lifted metal panels and fasteners
• Bent or loose flashing at chimneys and walls
• Dark streaks, moss or debris collecting in valleys

Anything you spot is far easier to fix now than under snow.

3. Check the chimney

Look for loose flashing, cracked crowns, missing caps and crumbling mortar. If you burn wood, have the chimney inspected and swept by a qualified chimney professional before the heating season. Snow piling up behind chimneys is a common winter leak source. See chimney flashing repair.

4. Trim the trees

Have overhanging and dead branches cut back before snow and ice arrive. Heavy, wet snow on leafy or weak branches is what brought trees down in the October 2011 storm. Fall, after leaves drop, is a good time to see the tree structure clearly. See our post on the 2011 Halloween snowstorm.

5. Get into the attic

The attic tells you how your roof will behave in winter. Check for:

• Insulation depth - is it thin, patchy or compressed?
• Air leaks - gaps around the hatch, recessed lights, pipes, wires and the chimney let warm air into the attic
• Ventilation - are the soffit vents clear of insulation? Is there a ridge vent or other exhaust?
• Bath fan ducts - do they actually go outside, or end in the attic?
• Old stains on the roof boards, especially near the eaves, from past ice dams

A warm, leaky attic is the root cause of most ice dams. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation is one of the most effective things you can do before winter. See ice dam roof repair.

6. Get the tools ready

• A roof rake with a long handle, to clear the lower part of the roof from the ground
• Calcium chloride ice melt (not rock salt) for emergencies
• Buckets, towels and a tarp
• A flashlight and batteries, in case of outages
• Knowing where your main water shutoff and electrical panel are

7. Check outbuildings

Barns, sheds and detached garages often get forgotten. Check their roofs for loose metal, missing shingles and sagging, especially if they'll be holding snow all winter. See our post on snow load.

8. Book repairs and inspections early

Roofers get busy in the fall as everyone tries to get work done before winter. If your roof needs repairs, or you'd like a pre-winter inspection, it's best to call in September or October rather than waiting for the first snow.

During the winter

• Rake the lower few feet of the roof after big storms
• Watch for big icicles and ice ridges at the eaves
• Check top-floor ceilings and the attic after heavy snow and during thaws
• Keep furnace, water heater and dryer vents clear of snow
• Stay off the roof