With winter right around the corner, it’s time to start taking steps to protect your home from the harsh weather ahead. Freezing temperatures and inclement conditions cause a great deal of property damage every year, especially to roofing systems. Getting your roof ready for whatever Mother Nature may bring will help extend its lifespan and prevent major problems. Here are a few tips on preparing for the season to avoid costly roof repairs or a premature replacement.

How to Winterize Your Roof

1. Schedule an Inspection

It’s a good idea to have a professional inspection done each fall to ensure your roof is sturdy enough to withstand the cold season. Your roofer will look for missing or broken shingles, evaluate the framework for signs of sagging, and check the flashing around chimneys and overhangs to see if it has come loose or suffered damage.

They’ll identify any roof repairs you should invest in ahead of winter to keep issues from arising once the storms arrive.

2. Clean the Gutters

In the fall, your gutters can become full of falling leaves, twigs, pine needles, and other debris. Unless they’re cleaned out, this will eventually create a blockage that prevents rainwater and melting snow from properly draining off your roof.

Instead it will continue to pool on the roof’s surface, increasing the risk of a leak and interior water damage. As such, gutters should be cleared prior to winter, so water flows smoothly through the drainage system.

3. Trim Back Trees

Trees growing directly over your home can contribute to several problems, including debris buildup and holes caused by branches crashing onto your roof.

They also provide an easy access point into your attic for pests and wildlife that are looking to escape the winter weather. Therefore, it’s best to keep overhanging trees trimmed back to avoid potential hazards. 

4. Check for Adequate Insulation

You want to make sure insulation is evenly distributed through your attic to keep heat from escaping during winter. This will not only help reduce utility expenses, but also stop heat from getting trapped underneath your roofing materials, which can cause snow on top of your roof to melt.

When this occurs, ice dams may form, resulting in significant damages and the need for roof repairs. It may be necessary to install additional insulation in certain areas for better protection.

For help ensuring your roof is winter-ready, turn to Minnesota Roofing Company. They’ll carefully assess its condition and take care of any issues that need to be addressed before the cold weather sets in. This highly rated company offers more than 20 years of combined industry experience and has delivered reliable roof repairs and replacements to countless residents throughout the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Call (612) 888-7663 to schedule an appointment, or visit them online for more information on the roofing services they provide.