Closing Up Your Beach House for Winter? Why the Roof Should Be Checked First
Bishopville, United States - November 8, 2026 / Coastal Home Roofing /
BISHOPVILLE, Md. — As the summer season ends and many vacation homes on Maryland and Delaware's Eastern Shore sit empty for the winter, Coastal Home Roofing & Siding is encouraging second-home and rental property owners to have their roofs checked before they close up for the off-season.
Second homes make up a large share of housing in the area. In Worcester County, Maryland, which includes Ocean City, Berlin and Ocean Pines, 29,520 of the county's 56,263 housing units, about 52 percent, were for seasonal, recreational or occasional use in the 2020 Census, according to the Maryland Department of Planning.
The timing matters. The National Weather Service says nor'easters can occur at any time of year but are "most frequent and most violent between September and April." These storms bring strong winds, heavy rain and sometimes coastal flooding, during the same months many beach homes have no one inside to notice a problem.
Why Empty Homes Are at Greater Risk
When a home is lived in, a leak usually gets noticed quickly: a drip, a stain on the ceiling or a musty smell. In an empty house, water can enter through a lifted shingle or loose flashing and keep coming in for weeks. By the time an owner returns, a small roof repair can turn into wet insulation, damaged ceilings or rotted roof decking.
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends roof inspections at least twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall, with extra inspections after severe weather. For owners who are away for months at a time, the fall inspection is the most important one, because it comes right before the stormiest part of the year.
An Off-Season Roof Plan for Owners Who Are Away
Coastal Home Roofing & Siding suggests a few simple steps for vacation home and rental owners:
- Book a fall roof inspection before closing up the house, so any repairs can be made before winter storms arrive.
- Clear gutters and downspouts, and trim tree branches that hang over the roof.
- Arrange for someone to check the house after every major storm. A neighbor, family member or property manager should look at the ceilings and, if possible, the attic for water stains or damp insulation.
- Ask for photos of anything found during an inspection, so problems can be seen from a distance.
- Inspect again in the spring, before the rental season begins and guests arrive.
Homeowners should stay off the roof themselves. CertainTeed, a major roofing manufacturer, advises checking a roof only from the ground with binoculars and warns that walking on a roof is "very dangerous."
More detail on inspection timing and what to look for is available in the company's guide to roof inspections.
Serving the Eastern Shore
Based in Bishopville, Maryland, Coastal Home Roofing & Siding serves homeowners and property owners in Worcester, Wicomico and Sussex counties, including Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines, Salisbury, Selbyville, Millsboro, Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach and Lewes. The company offers free inspections and estimates.
About Coastal Home Roofing & Siding
Coastal Home Roofing & Siding is a veteran-owned, family-owned exterior home improvement company based in Bishopville, Maryland, with more than 30 years of experience. The company provides roof repair, roof replacement, and shingle, metal, flat, TPO, EPDM and commercial roofing, as well as siding, window and deck services across Maryland and Delaware's Eastern Shore. A two-time Best of Coastal Style award winner, the company offers free inspections and estimates and does not take payment until a job is successfully completed.
Contact:
Coastal Home Roofing & Siding 12010 Industrial Park Rd, Unit 15 Bishopville, MD 21813
Phone: 410-629-5007
Website: https://coastalhomeroofing.com
Contact Information:
Coastal Home Roofing
12010 Industrial Park Rd.
Bishopville, Maryland 21813
United States
Sam Chmar
+1-410-629-5007
https://coastalhomeroofing.com
