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How to Winter-Proof Your Denver Roof: Essential Care Tips from a Denver Roofing Company

Posted on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 at 9:00 am    

As another winter season approaches in Denver, do you know if your roof is properly prepared? From frigid freezing temperatures to heavy snowfall, these climate conditions can lead to severe structural issues if your roof can’t withstand them. 

This guide will walk you through how to winter-proof your Denver roof and safeguard your property against the outdoor elements.

Understand How Denver’s Winter Climate Impacts Your Roof

As a local home or commercial property owner, you know Denver experiences strong weather patterns in the winter. These include ice accumulation, cold temperature fluctuations, major snowstorms, and more. But do you know how they impact your roof exactly? 

Snow and ice buildup adds weight to your roof, potentially causing cracks and leaks after they melt. High wind speeds during snowstorms can also damage your shingles with heavy impact from debris or tear them off. 

If these climate-caused roofing issues aren’t addressed quickly, they can compromise your property’s structural integrity. 

Get a Professional Pre-Winter Roof Inspection

A common mistake Denver property owners make is not taking advantage of preventative roof care before the winter season. We can’t stress enough the importance of regular roof inspections, especially in the local Denver area. 

We don’t mean climbing on your roof as it poses safety risks, like fatal falls and serious injuries. But you can check safely from the ground and inside your attic for potential cracks, shingle granule loss, and missing shingles. 

Hiring a Denver roofing company for bi-annual roof inspections and after major storms is best practice. They have industry-grade equipment and specialized knowledge to identify issues that put your property at risk that you may miss. 

A Denver roofer will examine your entire roofing system during an inspection, including:

  • Roof Ventilation: Testing your roof’s ventilation strength to ensure energy efficiency during colder months and reduce ice dam risks
  • Gutters & Downspouts: Checking if they’re clogged from debris or snow/ice to prevent water backup and ice formation
  • Vulnerable Roof Areas: Looking at chimneys and skylights, which are more prone to water-related damages

Routine roof inspections can spot minor issues before they grow into more costly repairs. 

Reduce Ice Dam Risks with Preventative Roof Care

When snow or ice melts then re-freezes on your roof, it can cause ice dams. This frozen moisture can form within your roof’s eaves and under your roofing materials and clog your gutters, leading to minimal or no water drainage and mold growth. With Denver’s significant and consistent snowfall patterns during winter, reducing ice dam risks for your roof is crucial. 

You can prevent ice dams from forming on your roof with the following:

  • Installing ice and water barriers to protect damage-prone areas on your roof, like spaces near eaves, skylights, and chimneys
  • Maintaining adequate roof ventilation by leaving your roof vents open to promote airflow
  • Using heat cables when necessary to melt ice dams and make water flow off your roof

Even if you take all the preventive roof care steps mentioned above, it’s not always guaranteed, as ice dams may form with strong climate conditions. But you can prevent roof structural issues with a quick response. A Denver roofing company offers emergency services, like removing snow from your roof and using calcium chloride to melt the ice. 

Prepare for Snow & Ice Removal

Although hiring a Denver roofer is recommended for removing ice dams, you can maintain your roof for minor snow removal. Extended roof rakes and snow blowers allow you to safely remove soft and hard snow from the ground.

However, if you have a high or steep roof that’s not easily accessible, you should always hire roofing professionals for safety precautions. They also ensure you correctly remove all snow or ice in those hard-to-reach areas. 

Maintain Your Roof Routinely Year-Round 

Winter isn’t the only time you should care for your Denver roof. Roof maintenance is required year-round to provide your property with the utmost protection. However, it can be minimal if you regularly take care of it. 

Ask your Denver roofing company to do the following to maximize your roof’s resilience:  

  • Repair and replace damaged or missing shingles before winter to prevent leaks and further damage
  • Seal vulnerable roof areas, including vents, chimneys, and skylights to avoid water infiltration 
  • Invest in strong attic insulation to reduce ice dam formation and improve energy efficiency for heating costs

Whether you own a home or a commercial building, your roof is a significant investment. It plays a critical role as the first line of defense against Denver’s winter climate. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your property and those inside.