The Winnipeg Winter Roof Checklist: 5 Things to Do Before the Snow Flies

Winter hits Winnipeg hard. You know this already. Temperatures drop to minus 30. Snow piles up fast. Ice builds on every surface.

Your roof takes the worst of it.

Most homeowners wait until spring to think about their roof. By then, the damage is done. Water has leaked through. Ice has expanded in cracks. Shingles have loosened or blown off.

The smart approach? Check your roof before winter arrives. A few hours of work in October or early November can save you thousands in emergency repairs come January.

Here’s exactly what you need to do.

Winter Roof Checklist 1: Clear All Debris From Your Roof and Gutters

Start here. This step matters more than most people realize.

Leaves, branches, and dirt collect on your roof all summer and fall. When snow melts and refreezes, this debris traps moisture against your shingles. That moisture seeps under the shingles. It freezes. It expands. It creates gaps where more water can enter.

Your gutters need attention, too. Clogged gutters mean water has nowhere to go. It backs up under your shingles at the roof edge. It freezes in the gutter itself, creating heavy ice dams that pull the gutter away from your fascia.

What to do:

• Remove all leaves, branches, and debris from your roof surface.
• Clean out your gutters completely, including downspouts.
• Check that downspouts direct water at least 6 feet away from your foundation.
• Install gutter guards if you’re tired of cleaning them twice a year.

A typical Winnipeg home with mature trees needs gutter cleaning at least twice each fall. The leaves come down in waves, not all at once.

If you’re not comfortable on a ladder or your roof has a steep pitch, hire professionals. All Weather Exteriors cleans and inspects roofs for hundreds of Winnipeg homeowners each fall. The cost is minimal compared to winter damage repair.

Winter Roof Checklist 2: Inspect and Repair Damaged Shingles

Walk around your property and look up at your roof from all angles. You’re checking for:

• Missing shingles
• Curled or lifted shingle edges
• Cracked or torn shingles
• Shingles with missing granules (they look bare or dark)
• Any areas where shingles look different or damaged

Winnipeg’s freeze-thaw cycles are brutal on asphalt shingles. A small crack in September becomes a major leak by February. Water gets under the damaged shingle, freezes, expands, and makes the damage worse.

Common problem areas:

• Roof valleys where two slopes meet
• Areas around chimneys and vents
• The south-facing slope, which gets the most sun exposure and temperature changes
• Ridge caps at the peak of your roof

If you spot damaged shingles, replace them now. Don’t wait. The repair takes an hour or two in favorable weather. The same repair in winter costs three times as much and might not even be possible until spring.

Standard asphalt shingles in Winnipeg last 20 to 25 years. If your roof is older than 15 years and you’re seeing widespread damage, consider a full replacement before winter. A new roof installed in October performs better than patches on an aging system.

Winter Roof Checklist 3: Check Flashing Around Chimneys, Vents, and Skylights

Flashing is the metal or rubber material that seals the gaps where your roof meets chimneys, vent pipes, skylights, and walls. It’s the weak point on most roofs.

Flashing fails before shingles do. The sealant cracks. The metal corrodes. The edges lift. Once flashing fails, water pours straight into your home.

Inspect these areas carefully:

• Chimney flashing (where the chimney meets the roof)
• Plumbing vent pipes sticking through the roof
• Exhaust vents from the bathrooms and the kitchen
• Skylights
• Dormers and walls that intersect with the roof

Look for:

• Gaps or separations between the flashing and the roof surface
• Rust or corrosion on metal flashing
• Cracked or missing caulking
• Lifted or bent flashing edges

If you notice any issues, please address them promptly. Flashing repairs are straightforward for experienced roofers but tricky for homeowners. The materials matter. Regular caulk won’t survive Winnipeg winters. You need roofing cement or specialized sealants rated for extreme cold.

All Weather Exteriors reports that winter leaks occur more frequently due to failed flashing than from damaged shingles. A small gap around a chimney lets in gallons of water during spring melt.

Winter Roof Checklist 4: Examine Your Attic for Proper Insulation and Ventilation

Go into your attic on a cool fall day. Bring a flashlight. You’re looking for three things: insulation depth, air leaks, and ventilation.

The Winnipeg building code requires R-50 insulation in attics. That translates to about 16 inches of blown-in fibreglass or cellulose. Measure your insulation depth in several spots. If it’s less than 14 inches, you need more.

Insufficient insulation causes two major problems:

First, heat escapes through your roof. Your furnace works harder. Your energy bills climb. You’re literally heating the outdoors.

Second, escaping heat melts snow on your roof. The meltwater runs down to your cold eaves and refreezes. Ice dams form. Water backs up under your shingles. Your ceiling starts leaking.

While you’re in the attic, check for:

• Frost or ice buildup on the underside of your roof deck (a sign of moisture problems)
• Water stains on wood (sign of past or current leaks)
• Gaps around pipes, wires, or vent openings where air can leak
• Proper ventilation through soffit vents and ridge vents

Good ventilation keeps your attic cold in winter. That prevents ice dams. Your attic temperature should match the outdoor temperature, not your indoor temperature.

If you see frost buildup or insufficient insulation, address it before winter. Adding insulation costs $1 to $3 per square foot. Repairing ice dam damage costs $2,000 to $5,000 or more.

Winter Roof Checklist 5: Assess Your Roof’s Age and Overall Condition

Step back and think bigger. How old is your roof? What shape is it really in?

Most asphalt shingle roofs in Winnipeg need replacement after 20 to 25 years. Metal roofs last 40 to 50 years. If your roof is nearing the end of its anticipated lifespan, winter arrives at an unfavorable time.

Signs your roof needs replacement, not just repairs:

• Multiple areas with damaged or missing shingles
• Granule loss across large sections (check your gutters for accumulation)
• Sagging areas or visible dips in the roofline
• Interior ceiling stains in multiple rooms
• Your roof is 20+ years old.

Here’s the math that matters: emergency roof repairs in winter cost 50 to 100 percent more than scheduled work in fall. Emergency replacements are even worse. You’re paying premium rates for difficult conditions.

If your roof is questionable, replace it now. October and November are ideal for roof replacement in Winnipeg. The temperature is cool enough that shingles seal properly but warm enough for crews to work safely and efficiently.

All Weather Exteriors completes dozens of roof replacements each fall for exactly this reason. Homeowners know their roof won’t survive another winter. They want the work done right, at regular pricing, with good conditions.

A typical 1,500-square-foot bungalow takes 2 to 3 days for complete roof replacement. The disruption is minimal. The peace of mind is worth it.

What Happens If You Skip This Checklist?

Let’s be clear about what you risk by ignoring your roof until spring.

Ice dams form when heat escapes through your roof, melts snow, and the meltwater refreezes at the eaves. The ice builds up, sometimes several inches thick. Water backs up under your shingles and drips into your home.

Common damage from ice dams:

• Ceiling stains and drywall damage
• Insulation saturation and loss of R-value
• Mold growth in walls and attic
• Damaged fascia and soffits
• Pulled or broken gutters

Repair costs range from $2,000 for minor damage to $15,000 or more for extensive water intrusion.

Collapsed roofs happen in Winnipeg every winter. Heavy snow loads combined with poor roof condition or structure lead to catastrophic failure. The snow load on a typical Winnipeg roof can exceed 1,500 pounds per square foot during heavy winters.

Emergency roof repairs in January or February mean:

• Paying double or triple the normal rate
• Limited contractor availability
• Temporary fixes instead of permanent solutions
• Difficult working conditions that affect quality
• Possible interior damage while waiting for repairs

When to Call Professionals

Some roof work makes sense for handy homeowners. Cleaning gutters, removing debris, and replacing a few shingles are manageable.

Other work requires professionals:

• Any repair above a single-story height
• Flashing replacement or repair
• Multiple damaged areas
• Full roof inspection with documentation
• Any work near power lines
• Structural concerns

Professional inspections cost $150 to $300 and include a detailed report with photos. You get an honest assessment of your roof’s condition and remaining lifespan. You can plan and budget instead of reacting to emergencies.

All Weather Exteriors offers complimentary roof inspections to Winnipeg homeowners. We document current conditions, identify problems, and provide you with options, all accompanied by transparent pricing. No pressure, just facts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your roof protects everything you own.

This includes your furniture, belongings, and your family. It’s not the place to cut corners or delay maintenance.

Winnipeg winters are predictable. They’re harsh. They test every weak point in your home’s exterior.

This checklist takes one afternoon to complete. The cost is minimal or nothing if you do the work yourself. The return is a winter without roof emergencies, without leaks, and without $10,000 repair bills.

Start this weekend. Clear your gutters. Check your shingles. Inspect your attic. Look at your flashing. Assess your roof’s overall condition.

If you find problems, fix them now while conditions are good and prices are reasonable.

All Weather Exteriors serves Winnipeg homeowners and property managers year-round. We handle everything from simple repairs to complete roof replacements. Our crews understand Winnipeg’s climate and building requirements. We use materials rated for extreme cold and rapid temperature changes.

Call us for an inspection, a quote, or advice. We’ll tell you exactly what your roof needs and what it doesn’t. No upselling. No games. Just straight answers from people who’ve been protecting Winnipeg homes for years.

Winter is coming. Your roof should be ready.