What To Do If Your Roof Starts Leaking in the Middle of Winter

Your Roof Is Leaking in Winter. Now What?

A winter roof leak feels like worst-case scenario: it’s cold, it’s wet, and the last thing you want is water coming into your home. The good news is, if you act quickly and strategically, you can control the damage, protect your home, and line up the right long-term fix.

Here’s exactly what to do if your roof starts leaking in the middle of winter in Berks County or the surrounding areas.

Step 1: Control the Water Inside the House

First priority: keep water from spreading and causing more damage.

• Move furniture, electronics, and valuables away from the leak.

• Put a bucket or container under active drips.

• Lay down towels or plastic to protect flooring.

• If the ceiling is bulging, use a screwdriver to carefully poke a small hole where the water is collecting so it drains in a controlled way into a bucket instead of bursting on its own.

You’re not fixing the roof here — you’re buying time and minimizing interior damage.

Step 2: Check the Attic (If It’s Safe)

If you can access your attic safely:

• Look for where the water is coming in.

• Check around vents, chimneys, skylights, and valleys.

• Look for soaked insulation, dark stains, or active drips.

Don’t start ripping things apart — just gather basic information. This helps your roofer find the source faster.

Step 3: Do NOT Climb on an Icy or Snow-Covered Roof

It’s tempting to “go see” what’s happening. In winter, that’s dangerous and usually not helpful.

• Roof surfaces can be slick, icy, or unstable.

• Snow can hide soft spots or damaged areas.

• A misstep can mean a fall or more roof damage.

Leave the roof walk to a crew that has the right equipment and experience working in winter conditions.

Step 4: Call a Roofer Who Handles Winter Emergencies

Not every roofing company works in winter, and not every company is set up for emergency response. When you call, you want a team that can:

• Provide rapid leak response and temporary protection

• Use drone and photo documentation instead of guesswork

• Give you an honest assessment: temporary repair vs. full replacement

• Help you understand whether insurance might come into play

At Red Patch Roofing, we treat winter leaks as triage: stop the water, stabilize the home, then plan the long-term fix.

Call 610-587-2709 if you’re in Berks County and dealing with an active leak.

Step 5: Understand the Goal in Winter: Stabilize vs. Replace

In winter, the smartest move isn’t always “replace the roof tomorrow.”

Full replacements can be done in cold weather, but they come with challenges:

• Shingles are more brittle in low temperatures

• Self-seal strips can take longer to bond

• Work days are shorter and weather windows tighter

That’s why the plan often looks like this:

1. Stop the active leak (tarping, sealing critical areas, protecting decking)

2. Document the damage (photos, drone footage, attic evidence)

3. Schedule replacement or major repair for early spring when conditions are ideal

If your roof is completely shot, winter replacement might still be necessary — but in many cases, temporary winter protection plus a spring install gives you the best long-term result.

Step 6: Watch for Ice Dams

If your leak shows up:

• after a snow

• near the eaves or exterior walls

• or only during warm-up days after a freeze

…you might be dealing with an ice dam.

Ice dams form when heat from the house melts snow on the upper roof, and that water refreezes at the edges. Water then pushes backward under shingles and into the house.

Short term, a roofer can:

• clear channels for water to escape

• remove built-up ice safely (never chop it with a shovel or axe yourself)

• address immediate entry points

Long term, the fix is usually:

• improving attic ventilation

• sealing heat loss

• upgrading insulation

• sometimes adjusting the roofing system at the eaves

Step 7: Protect Against Mold and Hidden Damage

Even a small winter leak can lead to mold, rot, and indoor air problems if it’s ignored.

After the leak is controlled:

• Have soaked insulation checked or replaced

• Monitor affected areas for musty odors or new stains

• Make sure damp drywall is properly dried or replaced

• Keep a record of all damage and repairs

The goal is not just to stop the drip — it’s to stop what that drip could turn into.

Step 8: Plan Ahead So Next Winter Is Different

A winter leak is a warning sign. Whether you:

• patch and hold until spring

• partially repair

• or move forward with a full replacement

…use the experience to put a better system in place:

• strong ventilation

• proper flashing

• high-quality underlayment

• clean, functioning gutters

• regular inspections

Your roof shouldn’t be a yearly surprise.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Panic — Act With a Plan

A winter roof leak is stressful, but it doesn’t have to spiral into a disaster.

If you:

• control the water inside

• avoid unsafe DIY roof attempts

• get a professional winter assessment

• stabilize now and plan correctly for spring

…you can come out of it with a stronger, more reliable roof than you started with.

For homeowners in Leesport, Reading, Wyomissing, and across Berks County, Red Patch Roofing provides:

• 24/7 leak response

• emergency tarping and stabilization

• drone and photo documentation

• honest repair vs. replacement recommendations

• spring roof replacement scheduling

Call 610-587-2709 or request help through our website if your roof is leaking this winter.

Don’t Forget Preventative Care

Once the roof is repaired or replaced, keep it protected with seasonal gutter cleaning and professional pressure washing. Clean gutters and debris-free roof surfaces help prevent ice dams, standing water, and premature wear — especially through Pennsylvania winters.