From Your Roof to Your Foundation
Owning a home in the Dallas–Fort Worth area isn’t just about closing day and decorating the living room. Real homeownership is everything that happens after: keeping systems maintained, protecting your roof and structure, and preserving the value you’ve worked hard to build. As an experienced contractor CookDFW can tell you that homeowners who stay ahead of seasonal maintenance usually have fewer emergencies, fewer insurance headaches, and more equity when it’s time to sell.
Below is a straightforward seasonal maintenance guide built around real DFW conditions—wind, heat, clay soil, storms—and what I see every week in the field.
Spring: Reset Your Home After Winter
Spring is the perfect time to get outside and take a hard look at your home.
Start inside with your HVAC.
Change your AC filters at least every three months—more often if you have allergies, pets, or live in dusty, high-wind areas. A clogged filter chokes airflow, makes your system run harder, raises your electric bill, and can even cause coils to freeze and drain pans to overflow into your attic.
Walk the exterior.
Look over your slab and visible foundation for new or widening cracks. Not every hairline crack is a foundation failure, but if you’re also seeing doors that don’t shut right or new drywall cracks, it’s time to talk to a foundation specialist.
Check your windows and caulking.
Look for gaps around frames, dried or split caulk, and fogged or sweating glass. Air and moisture leaks around windows drive up energy bills and can lead to hidden rot in framing.
Inspect your roof.
Spring and early summer storms in DFW often bring hail and high winds. From the ground, look for missing shingles, lifted edges, dented gutters, or granules piling at downspouts. If you see anything suspicious—or if your neighborhood was hit by hail—schedule a professional roof inspection to catch storm damage before it turns into leaks.
Summer: Protect Against Heat & Soil Movement
North Texas summers are brutal, and the heat doesn’t just affect your energy bill—it affects your structure.
Stabilize soil around your foundation.
DFW’s clay soil shrinks when dry and swells when wet. Use soaker hoses or a well-tuned sprinkler system to keep moisture around your foundation relatively consistent. You don’t want standing water near the slab, but you also don’t want deep gaps pulling away from it.
Test and tune your sprinklers.
Run each zone and verify heads are spraying the lawn, not your sidewalk, driveway, or fence. Broken or clogged heads are common after winter, and uneven watering contributes to foundation movement.
Pools and outdoor systems.
If you have a pool, make sure filters are cleaned, equipment isn’t leaking, and exposed equipment is shaded or covered from direct sun. Pool leaks and equipment failures can wash out soil near your house and drive unexpected repair bills.
Fall: Prep for Cooler Weather & Heavy Rains
Fall is your chance to get ready before the first real cold snap or multi-day rain.
Drain and maintain your water heater.
Traditional tank water heaters should be drained once a year to flush out sediment that corrodes the tank from the inside. Ignoring this step shortens the life of the heater and increases your risk of a major leak that can flood garages, closets, or interior rooms.
Clean gutters and check roof flashing.
Leaves and debris clog gutters and downspouts, forcing water to overflow and run down walls or pool at the foundation. While you’re at it, have a roofer check flashing around chimneys, walls, and vents—many leaks start at metal details, not the shingles themselves.
Seal up the envelope.
Re-caulk around windows, doors, and penetrations (cable lines, hose bibs, etc.). This improves energy efficiency and keeps wind-driven rain from sneaking into wall cavities.
Winter: Safety, Heat, and Roof Monitoring
Winters in North Texas are short but unpredictable. A mild December can turn into an ice event or hard freeze overnight.
Service your furnace.
If your home includes a gas furnace, it should be inspected regularly for cracked heat exchangers, loose connections, and proper venting. A neglected furnace can lead to carbon monoxide leaks, which are deadly and often undetected without proper sensors.
Check smoke and CO detectors.
Replace batteries and test every device. Install at least one carbon monoxide detector in homes with gas appliances or fireplaces. It’s a cheap, simple step that can literally save your life.
Chimney and fireplace care.
If you use your fireplace often, a chimney sweep every year is smart; for light use, every few years may be enough. Creosote buildup is highly flammable and can ignite in the flue even when the firebox looks “normal.”
Roof Inspections: How Often Is Enough?
From a roofing perspective, at minimum you should have an annual roof inspection. In DFW’s storm-heavy climate, I recommend twice a year: once before storm season and once after. Age matters too—older roofs and 3-tab shingle roofs should be watched more closely.
A good roof inspection includes more than a quick glance at shingles. We look at vents, pipe jacks, ridge caps, flashing, and sometimes the attic if we see suspicious areas. By the time a leak shows up on your ceiling, water may have been getting into your attic for months. Catching problems early is always cheaper than repairing structural damage and interior finishes later.
The Bottom Line
Repairing storm damage promptly protects your home and helps avoid larger, uncovered losses later.
Whether you know your roof has sustained damage and are ready for repairs, or just want to ask more questions, get in touch with us at Cook DFW Roofing & Restoration. Our extensive experience in the industry means that we are uniquely qualified to help you with expert advice, as you are considering a selection of high-quality roofing materials and professional installation.
Call today or visit our website for more information: Cook DFW Roofing & Restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions: Seasonal Home Maintenance and Roof Care in DFW
1. How often should I schedule a professional roof inspection in the DFW area?
In North Texas, plan on at least one roof inspection per year, and twice a year if your home has an older roof or has been through hail and wind storms. Regular inspections help catch loose shingles, damaged flashing, and early leaks before they cause major water damage.
2. Why is changing my HVAC filter so important for home maintenance?
A clean HVAC filter allows your system to run efficiently, lowering energy costs and reducing wear on equipment. In the DFW area, where dust and pollen are common, dirty filters can also lead to frozen coils, drain backups, and water leaks in the attic.
3. How does foundation maintenance tie into roofing and home protection?
Keeping soil moisture consistent around your foundation reduces shifting and cracking, which protects the structure that supports your walls and roof. A stable foundation also prevents binding doors, window gaps, and stress cracks that can become pathways for water intrusion.
4. What seasonal tasks help me avoid roof leaks and storm damage?
Key tasks include cleaning gutters, checking for missing or damaged shingles, inspecting window and door caulking, and trimming back trees that overhang the roof. Pairing these with regular professional roofing inspections gives you the best defense against DFW storms.
5. How does preventive maintenance impact my home’s resale value in North Texas?
Buyers and inspectors look closely at roofs, foundations, HVAC systems, and water heaters, and well-maintained homes command higher offers and move faster. A documented history of seasonal maintenance and timely roof repairs is one of the strongest signals that a home has been cared for properly.