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January is one of those months where roofs get busy. Gutters are overflowing with leaves, holiday lights are going down, and everyone is trying to check one more thing off the year-end to-do list. Here in Marietta, GA, this is also the time of year when we start seeing a very specific — and very preventable — issue: ladder damage on roofs.
At Georgia Roof Advisors, we see this every single year. In fact, if I had a dollar for every shingle we’ve seen chewed up by a ladder foot in January, I’d probably be writing this blog from a beach somewhere.
Let’s talk about why this happens, why it matters more than most homeowners realize, and how you can avoid turning a simple gutter cleaning into a roof repair.
Between late fall and early winter, gutters fill up fast. According to the U.S. Forest Service, a single mature tree can drop hundreds of pounds of leaves per season, most of which end up in gutters or valleys. Add holiday light installation to the mix, and suddenly ladders are going up everywhere.
The problem? Many of those ladders end up on the roof itself.
I was on a roof recently in Hardage Farm, one of Marietta’s older neighborhoods, and the homeowner swore they hadn’t had any roof issues all year. No leaks, no stains, nothing. But when we got up there, we immediately saw deep ladder impressions — clear signs of ladder damage on roofs that hadn’t caused a leak yet, but absolutely would.
That “yet” is the key word.
Most extension ladders have metal or rubber feet designed to grip hard ground, not asphalt shingles. When someone flips those feet upward to keep the ladder from sliding, the sharp edges dig directly into the roof surface.
We see this most often when:
And here’s the kicker: even people with good intentions can cause serious ladder damage on roofs without realizing it.
Asphalt shingles are layered systems. When a ladder digs in:
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), asphalt shingles rely on granules to protect against UV rays and water infiltration. Once those granules are gone, the shingle’s lifespan drops dramatically.
We’ve seen ladder marks go all the way through the shingle, creating a perfect entry point for water — especially during Georgia’s heavy winter rains.
This is something we hear all the time.
And I get it. If there’s no water inside the house, it feels like everything’s fine. But roofing doesn’t work that way.
According to Insurance Information Institute data, water damage accounts for nearly 24% of all homeowner insurance claims, with roof-related entry points being one of the leading causes.
The problem with ladder damage on roofs is that it often:
By the time you notice a stain on the ceiling, the damage has usually been there a while.
Last winter, we worked with a homeowner in Kennesaw, GA who had hired someone to clean gutters and hang lights. Everything looked great — until spring.
They noticed a small brown spot forming in a guest bedroom. When we inspected the roof, we found ladder impressions directly above that area. The ladder had crushed two shingles and cracked a third.
What could have been avoided with proper ladder protection turned into:
All from one afternoon of work.
That’s the reality of ladder damage on roofs.
When ladder damage occurs near gutters, debris gets involved — and debris holds moisture.
The EPA notes that organic debris like leaves can retain moisture for long periods, accelerating material deterioration. On a roof, that means:
We often see debris packed under ladder-damaged shingles, which is basically inviting water to stay longer than it ever should.
At Georgia Roof Advisors, we don’t place ladders directly on shingles without protection. Period.
Professional alternatives include:
Yes, it takes more time. Yes, it takes training. But it prevents ladder damage on roofs, which saves homeowners money and stress.
Anyone can buy a ladder. Not everyone knows how to use it responsibly.
Licensed and insured professionals:
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, falls from ladders cause over 22,000 serious injuries per year in the U.S. Roof safety isn’t just about your shingles — it’s about people too.
If you’re hiring someone this season, ask:
If they can’t answer confidently, that’s a red flag.
Because once ladder damage on roofs happens, it’s your problem — not theirs.
January should be about enjoying the season, not dealing with roof repairs the next month. .
We love helping homeowners in Marietta, GA and Kennesaw, GA protect their roofs year-round, especially during high-risk times like the holidays. And while ladder damage on roofs might seem minor at first, it’s one of those issues that quietly turns into a big one if ignored.
If you’ve had gutters cleaned, lights installed, or ladders on your roof recently — or if you’re just not sure — a quick professional inspection can give you peace of mind.
Sometimes the best roof repair is the one you never have to make.
