Spring Roof Rehab: A Record-Breaking Utah Winter
It has been a strange year for the Wasatch Front. While the snow has been melted for a while in many areas, this season was one for the record books—and not for the reasons we usually expect. Instead of the typical "brutal physical assault" of heavy snow, 2026 was the year Salt Lake City experienced its warmest winter on record, with average temperatures reaching a balmy 40.7 degrees—7.6 degrees above the historical normal.
Even with the late "April Fools" storm that dumped up to 2 feet of snow on the Wasatch to kick off the month, the majority of the winter saw precipitation fall as rain rather than snow. This record-breaking warmth and lack of snowpack means your roof was exposed to UV rays and rain all winter long instead of being protected by a frozen blanket. Now that the tulips are poking through and the "Great Thaw" is winding down, it is time to assess the damage from this winter of extremes.
April showers are still in the forecast, and if your roof’s armor is chinked, those rains are coming inside. Use this 3-step checklist to tackle your roof rehab this weekend.
1. The Shingle Scan (Keep Your Feet on the Ground)
You do not need to climb a ladder to check your roof; instead, stand across the street and use a pair of binoculars. Because Utah saw record-breaking temperatures this winter, your shingles faced higher UV exposure than usual.
Missing Tabs: Look for dark patches on your roof, which often indicate that a shingle tab broke off during high-wind events.
The Curl: Check the edges of the shingles to see if they are laying flat. Shingles that are curling up are dried out—a process accelerated by record winter heat—and are likely nearing the end of their life.
Granule Gutters: When cleaning your gutters, check the debris for sand-like granules. These granules are the "sunscreen" for your asphalt shingles; if they are in the gutter, they are not protecting your roof from UV rays.
2. The "Gutter Sag" Check
Even though snowpack was at record lows, the "strange" winter of 2026 still included intense, heavy-moisture storms that can stress your drainage system.
The Pull-Away: Look closely at the gap between the gutter and the fascia board (the roofline). Heavy rain and the weight of sudden late-season snow can pull the spikes or screws right out of the wood.
The Risk: If there is a gap, rainwater will drip behind the gutter, saturating the fascia board and potentially leading to rot or moisture entering your walls.
The Fix: If the gutter is loose, you may need to install new, longer gutter screws (not spikes) to bite into fresh wood and pull it tight again.
3. The Downspout Extension
Your roof catches thousands of gallons of water during a storm, and while 2026 was dry overall, spring in Utah is notoriously unpredictable with sudden rainy periods.
The Fix: Re-attach your downspout extensions immediately and ensure they discharge water at least 4 to 6 feet away from your foundation.
Why: As we have seen with this year's "snow drought" and dry soil, any sudden spring moisture will run across exposed surfaces rather than being absorbed efficiently. Dumping roof water right next to your foundation is the primary cause of spring basement floods.
Spot a Problem?
If you see a missing shingle or a sagging gutter, fix it before the next spring rainstorm hits. A small repair now is much cheaper than a major ceiling restoration later.
If you find that a winter leak has already allowed moisture into your attic or walls, contact Apex Restoration at (801) 513-1137. We will dry out the structure and ensure your insulation is safe.