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Prepare Your Roof for Cold Weather | Owens Corning Roofing
Close up view of shingles with snow and frost coating, and fall leaves.

Fall and Winter Roof Preparation

Written By Owens Corning Roofing•Date Published 2024-10-08

As summer ends, it’s time to prepare your home for the changing seasons. Homeowners often start by removing annual plants, storing patio furniture, and sealing gaps around windows and doors. It’s also the perfect time to get your roof ready for the cold winter months ahead.

During fall, leaves can clog your gutters, and winter brings snow and ice. Winter weather can be more than just a hassle; it can cause serious water damage to your roof.

Snow accumulation on your roof adds significant weight. Combined with heating and cooling cycles, poor ventilation, and inadequate insulation, this can lead to ice damming. Ice damming can prevent snowmelt from draining into the gutters, causing water to pool on your roof. This can result in moisture seeping through shingle nails and into your roof decking.

Fall Roof Maintenance

The old saying "failing to plan is a plan to fail" can be applied to taking care of your home. Early fall, when the air is crisp and the weather's still sunny and pleasant, is an excellent time to complete roof maintenance tasks, preparing your roof for the winter ahead.

Cleaning Gutters

When leaves and pine needles clog your gutters, it prevents water from draining properly away from your house and can lead to bigger problems once winter arrives. Tips for a clean gutter:

  • Regular Inspections: Check your gutters periodically to catch any issues early.
  • Preventative Measures: Install gutter guards to reduce debris buildup.
  • Tree Maintenance: Trim back any overhanging branches to minimize leaves falling into the gutters.
  • Professional Help: Consider hiring a professional for thorough cleaning and maintenance, especially if your gutters are hard to reach.
Leaves and other debris being removed form the gutters with green and black gloves.

Ensure your gutters are clear of debris and build-up.

Inspecting Attic Insulation and Ventilation Systems

Your home could be at risk for ice damming in the upcoming winter if it lacks adequate attic insulation and/or roof ventilation.

Attic Insulation

In the winter, ice damming occur when snow thaws over warmer portions of your roof, and then refreezes along the eaves. Excess rooftop snow, freezing temperatures and sunny days can increase the likelihood of ice dam formation.

Attic insulation plays a key role in preventing ice damming. Without the proper R-value of insulation and ensuring it's not covering your intake ventilation, heated air from your conditioned spaces collects in your attic, warming the rooftop. This leads to increased snowmelt.

Yellow stucco home with snow on the rooftop and large ice dam formations in the gutters

Improper attic insulation may lead to ice damming

It may be helpful to have your attic inspected by a professional to identify areas where balanced ventilation and the proper amount of insulation may be needed to meet the R-value in your area and find potential savings on your energy bill. The U.S. Department of Energy offers suggested R-values for attic insulation based on temperature zones.

Attic Ventilation

Your roof's ventilation system usually includes a balance of an intake vent along the base of your roof, and an exhaust venter either on or off the ridge. These vents allow for a continuous flow of air through the attic space and are essential to managing excess heat and moisture that would otherwise cause problems in both hot and cold conditions.

Schedule a professional roofing contractor to inspect your attic for signs of improper ventilation before winter arrives.

Owens Corning Roofing Products

Many Owens Corning products are specially designed to help protect your roof from harsh winter weather conditions.

  • WeatherLock® Ice and Water Barrier products: These self-adhered underlayments adhere securely to the roof deck, offering a secondary layer of water protection. You can use them on the entire roof deck or in vulnerable areas of your roof, such as along the valleys and roof penetrations.
Roof deck with layers of the roofing system peeled back to reveal the exposed roof deck, ProArmor underlayment, and WeatherLock Ice and Water Barrier
  • VentSure® Ventilation products: Intake and exhaust ventilation work together to help your roof breathe, creating a balanced flow of air through your attic spaces. This helps prevent excess heat and moisture from lingering in your attic.
Roof ridge with gray asphalt shingles cut away to expose the VentSure ridge vent.
  • AttiCat® Insulation: Fiberglass insulation, in batts or loose fill, is the product of choice for many homeowners. Blown-in AttiCat® insulation makes it easy to achieve the proper insulation levels throughout your attic or crawl space.
AttiCat Insulation being blow into the attic floor by roofing contractor.

Find a Roofing Contractor

For assistance with preparing your home's roof for the upcoming winter, especially if you live in a cold climate, search for an independent roofing contractors in the Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network. Easily search for a contractor in your area, read reviews, and feel confident in choosing a reputable roofer to help safeguard your home in the changing seasons.

To help you make your decision, be sure to check out our tips on choosing a contractor.

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