--- title: "Getting Your Roof Ready for Winter" url: https://vertexroofingslc.com/getting-your-roof-ready-for-winter/ updated: 2018-11-09 --- # Getting Your Roof Ready for Winter Utah winters can be brutal, and during the coldest months, ***few areas of your home are exposed to the detriments of the climate like your roof.*** Although there are multiple issues that your roof can incur during the winter, [Vertex Roofing Contractors](https://vertexroofingslc.com/) can help you ensure that your roofing structure remains intact throughout the season. Contact us to get your roof winter-ready before the coldest temperatures set in. ## **Common Roofing Problems in the Winter** There are numerous things that can cause your roof to have functional or structural issues during the winter months. Here are some of the more common problems. ### ***Leaks*** Leaks are common, especially for homeowners who have a sloped a roof. Strips of flashing usually border the front edge and corners of a roof and rest along the perimeters of skylights and chimneys. ***During winter storms, strong winds can cause the flashing to disconnect from the roofing material or leave the strips damaged and weathered, resulting in gaps and leaks.*** Leaks can also form from missing shingles or shakes that have been loosened or dislodged by the wind. ***If shingles or shakes have fallen from your roof, they should be replaced quickly*** to prevent more significant damage from developing. ### ***Icicles*** Icicles often occur during frigid winter days that are bright and sunny. ***The long strands of frozen water can clog downspouts and gutters,*** and heavy accumulations can cause roof damage because of the excessive weight. ***Icicles are more likely to form when gutters are filled with debris, such as leaves, that can trap water.*** ### ***Snow Accumulations*** Snow can quickly accumulate on a roof, and ***the weight of the icy, white material can eventually be too great for a roof to withstand.*** Inappropriate removal methods can result in snow being shoveled from one area of the roof to another, promoting roof damage or collapse from an overload. ### ***Dams of Ice*** Ice creates dams as the frozen water on the upper areas of a roof thaws while the ice around the perimeter of the roofing structure remains frozen. ***Thawed ice flows down and freezes again as it reaches the roof’s edges and gutters, forming a dam of ice.*** When water starts to accumulate behind the dam, your roof could start to leak. ## **Getting Your Roof Ready for Winter** Preparing your roof for winter only takes a few simple steps: - **Clean your roof:** By clearing debris from your roof, gutters and downspouts, ***you can more easily inspect your roofing structure and help ensure that the accumulated material does not trap moisture or puncture your shingles.*** The roof can be cleared with a blower or broom, and a power washer can be used to dislodge mold growth. - **Assess your roof.** A thorough inspection should be performed before winter weather gets underway. ***Look for areas where the roof's structure is breached along the base of your chimneys, around skylights and at any roofing joints.*** Also search for damaged shingles, weak spots and buckled areas. - **Secure loose shingles.** Loose shingles or shakes can be ***nailed down to stabilize them against winter winds.*** ## **Professional Roof Preparation and Repairs from Vertex Roofing Contractors** If your roof is in need of repairs or cold weather preparation, the professionals at Vertex Roofing Contractors can help. We are full service roofing contractors, so we offer [inspections](https://vertexroofingslc.com/roof-inspections/), [maintenance and repairs](https://vertexroofingslc.com/roof-repair-maintenance/), and roof [replacements](https://vertexroofingslc.com/roof-replacements/). If you suspect that your roof has suffered damage from the winter weather or is not prepared for frigid conditions, call us at 801-639-0477 or [contact us](https://vertexroofingslc.com/contact-us/) online to set up a free inspection. We can locate problems and remedy them before the condition of your roof worsens. **[Download a PDF Version of This Page Here](https://vertexroofingslc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/vertexroofingslc.com-Getting-Your-Roof-Ready-for-Winter.pdf)** - [Author](#abh_about) - [Recent Posts](#abh_posts) ![Vertex Roofing Contractors - Salt Lake City, UT](https://vertexroofingslc.com/wp-content/uploads/gravatar/starbox.png) [Vertex Roofing Contractors - Salt Lake City, UT](https://vertexroofingslc.com) Vertex Roofing Contractors has been Utah’s most trusted resource for all types of roofing repairs and installations. 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