To prepare a Denver roof for summer, repair any winter damage before hail season, clear gutters and valleys, reseal flashing and pipe boots, and make sure the attic vents are open and working. If you are near the end of the roof’s life, plan an impact-resistant replacement before storm season rather than after it. Denver’s summer storms bring hail and heavy rain, and the metro’s documented hail days, such as June 6, 2012 and July 28, 2016, show how much damage one evening can do.
Denver’s summer risks
- Hail. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center logged hail up to 2 inches in Centennial on the night of June 6, 2012, with stones covering the ground three inches deep, plus reports in Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Lakewood. On July 28, 2016, hail of 1 to 1.5 inches fell in Lakewood, Golden and Littleton. Read the full story of the June 6, 2012 hailstorm.
- Wind. Thunderstorm gusts lift worn shingles at the edges. Denver’s code sets wind ratings of 115 to 140 mph depending on where you live; see how high winds damage Denver roofs.
- Sun and heat. At a mile high, summer sun ages shingles, sealants and rubber pipe boots faster, and a poorly vented attic bakes the decking from below.
- Lightning. Chimneys and metal vents are common strike points; our lightning and roofs guide covers what to check.
Your Denver summer prep checklist
- Look for winter damage. Snow, ice and winter chinook winds loosen shingles and flashing. From the ground, look for missing tabs, creases and exposed underlayment along the edges.
- Clear gutters, downspouts and valleys so summer cloudbursts drain instead of backing up under the shingles.
- Check flashing at chimneys, walls and skylights, and look for cracked rubber pipe boots.
- Check attic ventilation. Make sure soffit vents are not blocked by insulation and roof vents are clear.
- Trim branches away from the roof so wind cannot drag them across shingles.
- Photograph the roof’s condition now. Dated “before” photos make it easier to show what a summer storm changed.
What Denver’s code says about summer repairs
The City and County of Denver’s Roofing Guide and Checklist (updated April 11, 2024) answers the questions that come up most:
| Question | Denver’s rule |
|---|---|
| Does a small repair need a permit? | Only if it is more than 10 percent of the roof or two squares, whichever is smaller (buildings under 25,000 sq ft) |
| Does a new vent, skylight or solar mount need a permit? | Yes, all new roof penetrations need one |
| Is attic venting inspected on a reroof? | No, but it must meet the code in effect when the house was built |
| Is an ice barrier required at the eaves? | No |
| Do roof coatings need a permit? | No |
| What final inspection does a shingle reroof get? | A final roof inspection on one- and two-family homes |
Upgrade before the storms, not after
If your roof is near the end of its life, replacing it in spring with an impact-rated shingle can spare you a summer of tarps and claims. Our Class 4 shingle comparison shows the options, and our Denver residential roofing page explains how a Denver install works. If a summer storm does hit, the Denver hail repair timeline walks you from tarp to final inspection. In Colorado Springs, see our Colorado Springs summer roof checklist.
Book a Denver roof check
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Our Denver-area office is at 13275 E. Fremont Pl in Centennial. Call (303) 209-0152, book a free Denver roof inspection, or see our Denver roof repair service.
Sources: City and County of Denver, Roofing Guide and Checklist, updated 4/11/2024; NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports for June 6, 2012 and July 28, 2016 (preliminary).
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