Winter-Proof Your Roof

Nov 14, 2024

A typical Wisconsin winter includes snowfall, cold temperatures, and plenty of moisture —factors that can negatively affect your roof if it isn’t in top shape.

“Your roof is one of your main defenses against the harsh winter elements,” said Wendy Cline, co-owner of J & B Construction. “Taking small steps to winterize your roof now will improve your home’s energy efficiency and save you from expensive future repairs.”

The following are a few ways to prepare your roof for winter before the snow falls.

Clean Your Gutters

All the fall leaves that landed in your gutters need to be removed before the cold hits. Snow and ice can pile up on top of the debris and create ice dams in your gutters.

“An ice dam prevents melting snow and water from properly draining from the roof, which not only increases the chance of damage to your walls and ceilings, but it also often forces homeowners to replace their roofing material,” Wendy said.

Cut Your Trees Back

Another way to protect your gutters from ice dams is to cut back trees near the home. Small sticks from trees can clog the gutters and become moldy on roofing material.

“It’s important to cut back trees not only to clear your gutters but also to prevent branches from falling on the roof during heavy winds and creating holes,” said Wendy.

Inspect Your Attic

“Take a look around your attic,” Wendy said. “Check for water stains or dampness. If either or both are present, it’s a sign that more insulation is needed.”

A poorly insulated attic allows heat to radiate through the space and onto the roof, melting snow and ice. The water then refreezes along the eaves and gutters instead of running off the roof.

Make the Necessary Roofing Repairs

In addition to inspecting your attic, walk around your property and look at your roof from different angles. If the roof looks like it’s sagging or dipping, repairs are likely needed.

“Roofing mishaps like missing shingles, cracking, or warping can be made worse by heavy snow and ice,” Wendy said. “Making these repairs before a big snowstorm will give you peace of mind.”

J & B Construction can help homeowners with attic insulation and any roofing repairs that might be needed before the winter season begins. For all things roofing, J & B Construction, the most trusted roofing company in southeastern Wisconsin, has you covered. Contact us today to get started.

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Enjoy Peace Of Mind

The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em.

Dave H

We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project.

John Lamb

J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them.

Kenneth Simons

My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done.

David W.

We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future.

Jessie C.