Winter-Proof Your Roof: 5 Must-Do Prep Steps Before the First Snowfall

J & D Independant Roofing
Jun 5
4 min read

If you live in Edmonton, Alberta, you know winter doesn't knock, it barrels in with frigid temperatures, heavy snow, ice storms, and freezing winds. While your furnace and windows may be ready to battle the cold, your roof often takes the hardest hit.

The truth is, your roof is your home or business’s first line of defense against the element, and neglecting it before winter can lead to costly surprises like leaks, ice dams, structural damage, or even full system failure.

At J & D Independent Roofing Inc., we’ve spent over 30 years helping Edmonton homeowners, businesses, and property managers prepare their roofs for the harshest conditions. We specialize in flat roofs, offer leak-proof solutions, and provide expert roof repairs that hold up through Alberta’s toughest seasons. Here’s what you need to know and what you must do to winter prep your home before that first snowflake falls.

Why Winter Prep Is Essential in Alberta ❄️

Edmonton winters aren’t just cold, they’re aggressively cold, with:

Subzero temperatures
Sudden freeze-thaw cycles
Heavy snow accumulation
Damaging ice build-up
High winds and shifting weather

Roofs in our climate are under constant stress, especially flat or low-slope roofs commonly found on commercial, industrial, and even some residential buildings. Without the right preparation, minor issues can spiral into major roof failures.

Step 1: Get a Professional Roof Inspection

Before winter hits, schedule a comprehensive roof inspection.

This isn’t a casual glance at your shingles, it’s a full-scale, professional review of your roofing system, including:

Membrane or shingle integrity
Flashing and sealant conditions
Gutters and downspouts
Roof ventilation
Drainage efficiency

Our team at J & D Independent Roofing Inc. knows exactly what to look for, especially the types of problems that are easy to miss but devastating once snow or ice hits. We check for early signs of cracking, blistering, or pooling water that could turn into full-blown leaks once snow accumulates or melts.

Why it matters: An early inspection gives you time to repair and reinforce weak spots before winter locks in your roof for the season.

Step 2: Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts

Hand with glove holding debri from roof gutter

It might not seem like much, but clogged gutters are one of the top causes of winter roof damage. When leaves, debris, or sediment block your gutters:

Melted snow has nowhere to go
Water backs up under shingles or into flat roof seams
Ice dams form and force water into your roofing structure

Before the first snow, clean out your entire gutter system and ensure that downspouts are draining properly at least three feet away from the building foundation.

Pro tip:Install gutter guards to reduce the amount of debris buildup throughout the season.

Step 3: Trim Nearby Trees

Overhanging branches may look harmless in the fall, but once weighed down by snow or ice, they can snap and crash into your roof, damaging your shingles, puncturing membranes, or pulling off flashing.

More subtly, even small branches brushing your roof in the wind can slowly erode your roofing materials, especially in sloped systems.

Take the time to:

Trim branches back at least 6–10 feet from the roof
Remove dead limbs that could fall during storms
Watch for trees leaning toward the structure

Bonus: Trimming trees helps reduce the amount of leaves clogging your gutters.

Step 4: Check Your Attic Insulation and Ventilation

Your roof doesn’t act alone, it works in tandem with your attic insulation and ventilation system. A poorly ventilated attic can trap warm air from inside the building, which rises and melts snow on the roof. That meltwater then refreezes at the edge, forming ice dams, the silent destroyers of many roofs.

Make sure your attic:

Has enough insulation to keep heat from escaping
Has adequate ventilation to allow cold air in and moist air out
Shows no signs of frost, mold, or condensation

This step is crucial to maintaining both energy efficiency and roof health through the winter.

Step 5: Make All Necessary Repairs Now

If you’ve been putting off “minor” roof issues, now is the time to fix them. Cracked flashing, loose seams, small leaks, or degraded coatings won’t wait until spring. In fact, winter magnifies every weakness in your roofing system.

Trying to do emergency roof repairs in the middle of a snowstorm or deep freeze is not only dangerous, it’s costly, temporary, and often ineffective.

Instead, get it done now, before the ice, snow, and wind make the job harder and more expensive.

At J & D Independent Roofing Inc., we specialize in:

Leak detection and repair
Flashing replacement
Flat roof membrane patching and resurfacing
Commercial roof maintenance

And because we’re local to Edmonton, we know how to winter-proof your roof for the exact weather conditions we face.

Bonus Tips for Business Owners

If you own or manage a commercial or industrial building, winter prep takes on another layer of importance. A single leak or roof collapse can:

Interrupt operations
Destroy inventory
Jeopardize tenant leases
Trigger insurance headaches

Ensure that:

Snow removal equipment is ready
A snow load plan is in place
Roof access is safe and marked
HVAC penetrations and roof hatches are sealed

Want peace of mind? We offer custom seasonal maintenance programs for Edmonton businesses to protect your roof and your revenue all winter long.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Winter comes fast, and roof damage comes faster if you’re unprepared. Fortunately, the solution is simple:

👉 Prepare now. Prevent problems later.

At J & D Independent Roofing Inc., we’ve helped homeowners, property managers, and business owners throughout Edmonton get their roofs ready for winter with confidence. Whether you need a quick inspection, minor repairs, or a full winterization plan, we’re here to help.