Michigan winters do not forgive a roof that went into the season with problems. Snow load, ice, and months of freeze and thaw will find every weak spot and make it worse. The good news is that a little attention in the fall prevents most cold-weather roof trouble. Here is a practical checklist to get your roof and gutters ready before the snow flies.
Have the roof checked while you still can
The time to find a problem is in mild fall weather, not after the first ice storm. A small issue that is simple to fix now becomes a difficult, urgent repair once there is snow on the roof. Before winter, look for and address:
Missing, cracked, curling, or lifted shingles that will not survive the season.
Loose or worn flashing around chimneys, vents, and valleys.
Any soft spots, sagging, or signs of an existing leak.
Worn seals around vents and pipes that ice can pry open.
Clean and check the gutters
Gutters matter even more in winter than in summer. A gutter clogged with fall leaves cannot drain, and trapped water freezes, adds weight, and feeds ice dams. Before the cold sets in, clear every gutter and downspout completely, confirm they are pitched to drain and firmly attached, and make sure the downspouts carry water well away from the foundation so meltwater does not pool and freeze against the house.
Look in the attic before the snow
Winter roof trouble is often an attic problem in disguise. A warm, poorly ventilated, or under-insulated attic is what creates ice dams in the first place. While it is still easy to get up there, check that the insulation is at a healthy level and not thin or matted, that the soffit vents are clear and not blocked by insulation, and that there is no existing moisture, daylight, or mold. Fixing those things in the fall is the single best way to prevent ice dams in January.
Clear what is around the roof
Trim back any branches that overhang the roof before they are loaded with ice and snow, since a heavy limb coming down on a roof in a winter storm is a real risk. Clearing leaves and debris out of the valleys and away from chimneys also keeps moisture from sitting and freezing where it can work under the shingles.
Understand the ice dam risk
If your home has formed ice dams before, fall is the time to deal with it, because the fix is not something you do once the ice is already there. Ice dams come from heat escaping into the attic and warming the roof unevenly, so the lasting solution is air sealing, insulation, and ventilation. Addressing it now, before the snow, is what keeps water from backing up under the shingles and into the home all winter.
Stay off the winter roof
Once snow and ice arrive, a roof is no place to be. Do most of your checking from the ground and the attic, and leave anything that requires getting up close to a professional with the right equipment. A fall inspection lets us spot and document the problems while the weather still allows a proper fix.
Want your roof and gutters ready before the snow? We provide thorough, photo-documented fall inspections across the Ann Arbor area with honest recommendations. Reach out to schedule your free inspection.