What Every Homeowner Needs to Know
If you live in Winnipeg, your roof isn’t just a feature, it’s a first line of defense. With our wildly unpredictable weather, your roofing system needs to handle blazing summer heat, -40°C winters, hailstorms, ice dams, and massive snow loads.
Here’s how our local climate really impacts your roof and what you can do to protect your home.
1. Freeze-Thaw Cycles & Ice Dams
From late fall through early spring, Winnipeg gets constant freeze-thaw conditions. That means:
- Snow melts on your roof during the day
- Water refreezes at night
- Ice builds up at the roof edge (aka ice damming)
- Water backs up under shingles and leaks into the attic or walls
Prevention:
- Install ice & water shield underlayment
- Make sure your attic is well-ventilated and properly insulated
- Use drip edge flashing and proper eavestrough systems
2. Hailstorms & Wind Damage
Winnipeg is one of Canada’s top hail zones. Hail and strong winds can:
- Crack or break shingles
- Knock granules off asphalt
- Loosen flashing
- Tear off ridge vents or soffits
What to Watch For:
- Bald spots or granules in gutters
- Dented vents or flashing
- Shingle corners lifted or missing
Even small hail can reduce roof lifespan. An inspection after every major storm is a smart move to ensuring you know the health of your roof and avoid bigger problems down the road.
3. UV Exposure & Summer Heat
Our summers bring more than just heat. UV rays break down roofing materials over time, especially cheaper shingles.
Result:
- Curling, cracking, or brittle shingles
- Faded color
- Compromised waterproofing
Metal and rubber roofs resist this much better than standard asphalt roofing.
4. Heavy Snow Loads
Winnipeg winters can dump massive amounts of snow. A few inches may not seem like much, but wet snow can weigh up to 20 lbs per square foot, stressing your structure and trapping moisture on the roof deck.
Risks:
- Sagging roof lines
- Ice damming
- Roof leaks
- Eave separation or fascia rot
Regular snow clearing and proper attic insulation go a long way to avoiding costly roof repairs.
5. Spring & Fall Rainstorms
We get some serious downpours in Manitoba, especially in spring during the melt. If your gutters or eavestroughs are clogged or poorly pitched, you’re risking:
- Water pooling around your foundation
- Erosion of landscaping
- Water backing up under shingles
Gutter guards, proper roof pitch, and sealed flashing are critical.
How Pristine Builds for Winnipeg Weather
At Pristine Roofing & Siding, we don’t just install roofs, we engineer them for Manitoba conditions:
- Ice & water shield installed in key leak zones
- Hail-resistant shingles or rubber options
- Metal flashing that holds up in extreme temps
- Eavestroughs and fascia systems that drain right – not just look good
- Full inspections and storm response from our in-house roofers, never a random subcontractor.
Stay One Step Ahead of the Weather
Your roof doesn’t get a break – and neither do we. Call Pristine for:
- Storm damage inspections
- Pre-winter prep
- Spring thaw leak checks
- Full replacements and upgrades
We’ll help you build a roof that’s ready for whatever Winnipeg throws at it.