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7 Important Steps to Prepare Your Roof for a Minnesota Winter

7 Important Steps to Prepare Your Roof for a Minnesota Winter

If you own a home or business in the Twin Cities area, preparing your roof for the winter is beyond important to prevent damage from rain, hail, snow, and sleet damage.

As Minnesota's most infamous season approaches, there are simple steps you can take to protect your roof and your home or building from damage. Avoiding costly roof repair damages will also allow you to enjoy the holiday season worry-free!

You can trust our knowledgeable experts at Restoration Geeks to give solid advice regarding roof leak prevention. Let us teach you how to prepare your roof for the harsh winter months and save money on costly damages!

Following these easy steps can prevent the need for premature roof repair and replacement. Unfortunately, while you tackle this list, you may find signs that indicate roofing services are already needed. If that's the case, let us know how we can help!

1. Examine Your Gutters

Gutters remove the melted snow down and away from your home or structure, so clogged gutters can cause many problems during the winter.

If your gutters are clogged, water can't pass through the system. This can cause significant water damage problems on your roof, eventually leading to serious deterioration of your roof and other components of your home or building.

It is recommended to clean your gutters at least twice a year, and fall is the perfect time to do it. Remove leaves, branches, and debris from the gutters. Also, examine the drains and downspouts to ensure that water is flowing freely.

2. Inspect Trees Around Your House

If you have tall trees with branches around your house, the possibility of clogged gutters increases. This makes fall a good time to take a closer look at how the trees on your property could impact your roof.

During winter, the leaves and branches will certainly fall into your roof and gutters. This can lead to damages that require a roof repair service.

One solution is to trim the trees and tall bushes around your home. Always call a professional for jobs that are beyond the scope of your abilities!

3. Make Sure Roof Flashing Is Secure

Roof flashing is the material on your roof that provides additional protection and directs water off the roof. Many homeowners ignore this vital material. However, it is important to examine your roof flashing to prevent damage, such as hail damage, to roof shingles during the snowy months.

Strong blizzards and storms wear down the flashing and cause it to tear, loosen, and corrode. Our experts at Restoration Geeks can examine your roof's parts to ensure it is tightly sealed.

4. Inspect Roof Shingles

It is essential to examine the shingles on your roof to prevent problems during the winter months. One sign that your shingles are loose is that you may find granules of the shingles in your gutters.

You may also find debris underneath the shingles. This could indicate it is time to repair the shingles. If you neglect your shingles, it could lead to roof leaks or a roof replacement. You can contact residential roofing services for shingle roofing installation.

5. Make Sure the Attic is Ventilated

Inspect your attic to make sure that it is insulated and ventilated. If the attic is not properly prepared for winter, cold air will seep in. You can contact a roofer to install an attic ventilation system and additional residential roofing services.

According to Energy.gov, this will reduce heat by adequately air sealing, insulating, and venting the attic.

6. Have Snow Removal Tools in Place

Anyone who lives in Minnesota knows how extreme the winters can be, and while the snow is gorgeous to look at when it builds up on your roof, it can wreak havoc on your entire system. Ice dams can form as they freeze and melt, creating a much larger headache because the risk of water damage is increased.

While choosing professional snow removal is always recommended, it can help to invest in push brooms, shovels, and heating cables to help remove excess build-up and take the pressure off your roof.

7. Get Any Repairs Completed

Roof repair is no small task, and winter weather will further threaten the system's integrity. Any unchecked repairs can lead to more issues and end up costing you in the long run. Sealing cracks, replacing old or damaged caulking, addressing insulation issues, and completing a professional inspection will help you narrow down the issues and prevent more damage through expert repair.

Prepare for Minnesota Winter Hazards

Snowy and cold is the theme for Minnesota, and with below-freezing temperatures, your home is vulnerable to a different kind of damage. Hazards like sleet, freezing rain, snow, and ice are the standard, and each one presents a different type of threat to your property.

Investing in the preventative maintenance we have listed above and adding weatherstripping around doors, window insulator kits, and filling in any cracks will help decrease your energy use and insulate your interior, which also helps protect your exterior.

Contact Your Roofing Experts for Services in Eden Prairie, Edina, Minnetonka, Big Lake, & Surrounding Locations

If you suspect your home has roof damage due to the harsh winter months or want to prevent storm damage, contact our experts at Restoration Geeks for complete roofing or exterior restoration services! With over 20 years in the business, you know you are getting a local and trusted name in professional restoration services you can trust.

Our team is here to answer all your questions, or if you need to set up an appointment, call us today at 952-500-9546 or contact us online, and we will get back to you shortly.