Winter is a season that many of us in Minnesota find ourselves dreading. The months of cold and snowy weather can leave us feeling down and it can also wreak havoc on our properties. The roofs of our homes tend to bear the brunt of winter weather, spending much of the winter season covered in snow and ice. Over the years, this can result in severe damage to your roof. However, there are steps you can take to properly prepare your roof for winter.
5 Tips to Prepare Your Roof for a Minnesota Winter
1. Schedule a Roof Inspection – As winter approaches, it’s important to make sure your roof is ready to handle all the snow and icy wind heading its way. In fall, schedule a roof inspection with a Twin Cities area roofing company. Professional roofers can assess the current condition of your roof and alert you to any existing damage or cause for concern. This will help you know whether you need to take action to prepare your roof for the arrival of winter.
2. Clean Out Your Gutters – Throughout the winter in Minnesota, your gutters will be working hard to channel melting snow and ice away from the foundation of your home, preventing leaks and flooding. When gutters get clogged with debris, they won’t function properly as a drainage solution for your roof, and it’s more likely that ice dams will form as a result. To minimize the risk of your roof flooding this winter, clean all fallen leaves, branches, and other debris out of your gutters before the snow starts falling.
3. Trim Overhanging Branches – One of the biggest winter hazards to the roof of your Minnesota home is a falling tree branch causing severe damage. Unfortunately, when enough snow piles up on a branch, it can snap off and come crashing down on your roof. Trimming off overhanging branches before winter will remove this hazard. An additional benefit of trimming these branches is that it will reduce the number of leaves and sticks clogging up your gutters.
4. Ensure Proper Attic Ventilation – During winter, the air in your attic should stay relatively cold for the sake of proper insulation. If the air in your attic gets too warm because of improper ventilation, the snow on your roof can melt too quickly, leading to ice dam formation. Check your attic vents prior to winter to make sure there is no blockage that could impede ventilation.
5. Have a Snow Removal Strategy – If you have the type of roof that snow likes to pile up on, it’s important to have a good snow removal plan in place before winter comes around. Whether this strategy revolves around manually removing snow with a roof rake designed for this purpose or installing snow guards to minimize snow build-up may depend on your specific needs. Just make sure you have a plan so you’re not caught off guard when the first big snowfall happens.
The Twin Cities' Most Dependable Roofing Company
Do you need roof repairs, inspection or installation in preparation for winter? Reach out to Incline Exteriors today if you’re in need of professional roofing services in the greater Twin Cities area!