Why Tampa Bay Homeowners Should Get a Roof Inspection After Winter Cold Snaps

Florida Gets Cold Too — And Your Roof Feels It

Most Tampa Bay homeowners don’t think of winter as roof season. But when temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s overnight — like they did several times this past winter in Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties — your roofing materials go through stress cycles that can create real problems down the road.

It’s called thermal cycling, and it’s one of the most overlooked causes of roof deterioration in the Tampa Bay area.

What Thermal Cycling Does to Your Roof

When nighttime temperatures drop sharply and daytime temps climb back into the 70s or 80s, your roofing materials expand and contract repeatedly. Over time, this causes:

• Cracked or curled shingles — Asphalt shingles lose flexibility in cold air. Repeated cycling creates micro-cracks that worsen with summer heat and rain.
• Loosened flashing — Metal flashing around vents, chimneys, and edges expands at a different rate than surrounding materials, creating gaps.
• Sealant failure — The adhesive strips on shingles can break their bond during cold snaps, leaving shingles vulnerable to wind uplift.
• Flat roof membrane stress — For commercial properties across Tampa Bay, single-ply membranes can develop seam separations from repeated thermal movement.

Why This Matters Before Hurricane Season

Here’s the practical reality: hurricane season starts June 1. That gives Tampa Bay homeowners roughly three months to identify and fix any winter-related roof damage before high winds and heavy rain put your roof to the test.

A small crack or loose flashing that seems minor in February can become a major leak during a tropical storm in July. And once water gets under your roofing system, the damage compounds fast — rotted decking, mold in the attic, damaged insulation, and interior water damage that your insurance company may not fully cover.

The Insurance Angle You Need to Know

Florida insurance companies have tightened their requirements significantly over the past few years. Many policies now include:

• Maintenance exclusions — If your insurer determines that damage resulted from deferred maintenance rather than a covered weather event, your claim can be denied.
• Roof age limitations — Some carriers won’t cover roofs over 15-20 years old, or they’ll only pay actual cash value instead of replacement cost.
• Inspection requirements — Several Florida insurers now require a roof inspection before issuing or renewing a policy.

Getting a professional inspection after winter gives you documentation that you’re maintaining your roof. If you do need to file a claim later, that inspection report shows you were proactive — which strengthens your position considerably.

What a Post-Winter Inspection Covers

1. Shingle condition — Looking for cracks, curling, granule loss, and broken sealant bonds
2. Flashing integrity — Checking all penetration points, valleys, and edges for gaps or corrosion
3. Gutter and drainage assessment — Ensuring water flows away from the structure properly
4. Attic inspection — Checking for signs of moisture, daylight penetration, or ventilation problems
5. Structural evaluation — Looking for sagging, soft spots, or signs of decking deterioration
6. Photo documentation — Professional-grade photos of current roof condition for your records

Don’t Wait for the Leak

The most expensive roof repairs are the ones that start small and go unnoticed. A post-winter inspection in the Tampa Bay area typically costs far less than a single emergency repair during storm season.

At FL Brandon Roofing, we’ve been inspecting and repairing roofs across Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas counties for over 30 years. We know what Florida weather does to every type of roofing system, and we’ll give you an honest assessment — not a sales pitch.

Schedule your post-winter roof inspection today. Call our Tampa Bay office at (813) 538-8200 or stop by 10825 Tom Folsom Rd, Thonotosassa, FL.