In Minneapolis, winter does not ask whether your roof is ready. The first deep freeze usually arrives in November, and every small weakness you ignore in October becomes a bigger, more expensive problem by February. Work through this checklist while the weather still cooperates.
On the roof
1. Clean the gutters. Trapped leaves hold meltwater at the eaves — a ready-made ice dam foundation. Clean them after the last leaf drop, not before.
2. Scan for damaged shingles. Look for curling, cracking, missing granules, and any shingles lifted by summer wind. A $300 repair now beats a $3,000 interior water job in January.
3. Check the flashing. Chimney, skylight, and wall flashings are the most common leak points. Caulked-over flashing that has cracked through needs a proper rebuild, not another bead of caulk.
4. Trim overhanging branches. Snow-loaded branches snap onto roofs; rubbing branches strip granules. Clear anything within six feet of the roofline.
In the attic
5. Measure insulation depth. You want 16–20 inches of blown insulation (R-49+). If you can see the tops of your joists, you are under-insulated for Minnesota.
6. Look for air leaks. Recessed lights, bath fans, plumbing chases, and the attic hatch are the usual suspects. Feel for moving air on a windy day, or look for dusty insulation — dust marks air paths.
7. Verify the ventilation. Soffit vents must be open and unblocked by insulation; baffles keep the channel clear. You should see daylight along the eaves from inside.
8. Check for old moisture stains. Dark rings on the underside of the decking mark previous leaks — if they are near the eaves, you have had ice dam intrusions before and will again without fixes.
On the ground
9. Stage your snow rake and our number. A roof rake with an extension handle lets you clear the first 3–4 feet of eaves after heavy snow — the single best DIY ice dam defense. And keep a roofer's number saved before you need one at 9pm in a blizzard.
Want a professional set of eyes on it? Our pre-winter inspections are free, documented, and honest — if your roof is fine, we will say so.