Winters in Alaska aren’t gentle. Between heavy snowfall, ice buildup, and freeze-thaw cycles, your roof takes a serious beating. If you live in Wasilla, Palmer, or Anchorage, preparing your roof before the cold sets in isn’t optional – it’s essential.
A little maintenance in the fall can prevent leaks, heat loss, and expensive repairs down the road. Here are five simple but important steps to make sure your roof is ready for everything Alaska’s winter has in store.
1. Inspect Shingles and Flashing
Start with a basic visual inspection. Look for missing, curling, or cracked shingles – especially near roof edges, valleys, skylights, and chimneys. These areas are most exposed to snow and ice.
Pay close attention to flashing around roof penetrations like vent pipes, chimneys, or satellite mounts. If flashing is loose or rusted, it needs to be fixed before moisture gets in. Even a small gap can lead to a slow leak that turns into major interior damage once snow starts melting.
2. Clean Out Gutters and Downspouts
When gutters are full of leaves, pine needles, or asphalt granules, water can’t flow properly. That leads to overflow, ice dams, and eventually roof rot.
Before the first snow hits, clean out all gutters and make sure downspouts are clear. Water should drain several feet away from your home’s foundation. If not, consider adding extensions or splash blocks.
This step might seem small, but in freezing temperatures, backed-up gutters can become frozen blocks of ice that lift shingles and damage your roof edge.
3. Check for Proper Attic Ventilation and Insulation
One of the best ways to protect your roof during winter is from the inside. Good attic ventilation allows warm air to escape, which prevents ice dams. Poor airflow traps heat, melts snow unevenly, and causes refreezing at the roof edges.
Also check your insulation. If it’s thin, compressed, or damp, it might need to be replaced or upgraded. Wet insulation is a sign of roof leaks – and it’s a problem that only gets worse in cold weather.
A well-ventilated and properly insulated attic helps maintain a cold roof surface, which keeps snow from melting too quickly and forming ice.
4. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
Branches that hang over your roof might not seem like a big deal in summer. But in winter, they can dump snow directly onto weak areas or break under ice buildup and damage shingles or gutters.
Trim back branches at least 5 to 6 feet from your roofline. It’s also a good time to remove dead or leaning trees that could fall during a storm. Not only does this reduce the risk of damage – it also keeps your roof surface clearer through the season.
5. Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Even if everything looks fine, it’s worth getting a second set of eyes on your roof before winter hits hard. A professional roofer will check the details you might miss – like nail pops, soft spots, aging sealant, or hidden damage under shingles.
At All North Roofing, we specialize in Alaska’s unique winter roofing challenges. We’ll inspect your roof, attic, flashing, and drainage – and give you a clear, honest report.
It’s much easier to repair something in September or October than after the first deep freeze in December.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Once winter arrives in Alaska, roofing repairs become more complicated, more expensive, and sometimes impossible to complete until spring. Taking these five steps now will save you time, money, and stress later.
If you’re in Wasilla, Palmer, or Anchorage, and you’re not sure if your roof is winter-ready, let us take a look.
Call All North Roofing today at (907) 600-8865
or schedule your inspection here
All North Roofing – Built for Alaska’s harshest days.
Residential and commercial roof maintenance, repairs, and winter prep.
