7 Ways to Prepare Your MN Roof for the Colder Months
Winter is the most brutal time of year for Minnesotans. With record-breaking lows almost every year, you most certainly know the value of preparing your home for winter.
You’ve checked off everything on your list for the cold months, but have you looked up to your roof yet? It can be an overlooked component during winter prep, even though your roof is important in keeping your home safe and cozy. There are plenty of ways to make your Minnesota roof last longer, and some of these tips will help.
Be sure to cross off these three tasks to prepare your roof for the colder months!
1. Schedule a Roof Inspection
The first thing that should be done is a general roof inspection. If you’re comfortable getting up there, you can do a quick one yourself to check for signs of damage, such as broken or missing shingles, indents or sags, loose granules of asphalt, and hail damage.
These signs of roof damage might prompt replacement or repair before the winter months hit. Putting off replacement or repair until spring wouldn’t be prudent as the current damage may worsen, causing a large spike in price when you finally get maintenance.
For those reasons and more, we highly recommend hiring a professional to conduct your roofing inspection. An expert roofer will be able to spot problem areas sooner before they escalate. If you do experience damage, make sure to check if your insurance company covers hail damage.
(Not to mention, it’s much safer than you getting up on your roof untethered.)
2. Clean Out Your Gutters
Spring through fall, gutters work at directing rainwater away from your home. In the winter, it will catch snow and direct it away when it melts.
As we all know, autumn is the most opportune time to clean out your gutters, as most debris falls in this season. You should time your last gutter cleaning of the year late in the fall season after the last of the leaves have fallen. Check out other ways to maintain your gutters throughout the year.
Doing so will prevent excess water from pooling up on your roof in the spring and the accumulation of ice dams in the winter. Always have ice dams removed professionally to avoid injury or accidents.
3. Trim Low Hanging Branches
The trees around your home bring your property shade during the hot summer months but could prove dangerous in the winter. Trees with low-hanging branches near your home can accumulate ice during a snowstorm, potentially causing them to snap off under the increased weight.
These branches can fall on your home, causing significant damage to your roof and other parts of your home. These low-hanging branches may also become a great hazard to you and your family.
4. Inspect for Damage
Before the cold weather arrives, inspecting your roof for damage is a good idea. Some signs to look out for include missing shingles, cracked flashing, or damaged gutters. As a general rule, you should always look for signs of damage, particularly after a bad storm. It’s the best way to stay ahead on roof repairs.
Make sure you address any issues before the snow falls to avoid further damage to your home and roof. And to avoid any future damage as we reach the holiday season, make sure you properly install holiday lights to avoid roof damage.
5. Insulate Attic and Roof
It might be time to replace your attic insulation if it is old and damaged. Proper attic insulation helps maintain your home’s temperature and helps stop too much warm air from leaking through your roof (which can cause ice dams). Make sure there’s enough insulation and proper ventilation to regulate the temperatures indoors and to avoid too much heat loss.
While you’re checking your attic insulation, make sure you check for signs that your roof has poor ventilation. Moisture in your attic, damaged insulation, and damaged shingles are all signs that you have improper ventilation.
6. Check for Proper Drainage
As you check and clean your gutters, always make sure to look for proper drainage. This means that melted snow and water can drain away from your roof and down past your home’s foundation. This prevents water from pooling on your roof and in the gutters, which can refreeze and cause damage.
7. Install Snow Guards
If your area of Minnesota gets a lot of snow, it might be worthwhile to install snow guards. These are installed along the edge of your roof and help prevent large amounts of snow from sliding off the room, causing damage or additional hazards.
It is also possible to remove snow from your roof using a roof rake, which can help limit the amount of snow on your roof that will eventually melt and fill your gutters.
Let Timberline Help You Prepare Your Roof for Winter
At Timberline Roofing & Contracting, we are equipped to help with any type of winter preparation, including roofing repair and replacement. We also specialize in fast and reliable storm damage repair with insurance assistance!
Call 612-284-5329 for fast help, or get a free quote online!