What Many Homeowners Don’t Know About Their Roof

Autumn’s here in Manitoba. The leaves are falling, furnaces are firing up, and everyone’s thinking about drafty windows. But let’s talk about something most homeowners forget: your roof. In Winnipeg, it’s not just about shingles looking good. It’s about making sure the roof can actually survive our winters.

To put this into perspective, Winnipeg’s record low is −47.8 °C, way back on December 24, 1879. And if we look at recent years, February 13, 2021, hit −39 °C, one of the coldest days in the past five years. Even when it’s not that extreme, −30 to −35 °C cold snaps are normal. Add wind, ice, and snow, and suddenly your roof is under stress most people never think about.

Ice Dams: The Hidden Danger

A lot of people assume roof problems come from the outside: a storm, a heavy snowfall, maybe a hailstorm. Truth is, many problems start from the inside.

Here’s how it happens:

• Warm air escapes from the living space into the attic.

• It heats the underside of the roof.

• Snow on top melts a little, then refreezes at the eaves — forming ice dams.

• Meltwater can back up under shingles, soak into insulation, and damage the ceiling.

So the next time you see a water stain, remember: it’s often heat loss and poor insulation, not just bad shingles.

How to Think About Your Roof

Your roof isn’t just shingles. It’s a system. Shingles are the skin, but insulation, ventilation, and air sealing are the bones. Skip any one of these, and problems sneak up quietly.

• Insulation

  • Slows heat escaping from your living space.

  • For Winnipeg, most attics need R‑49 to R‑60, roughly 14–18 inches.

• Air sealing

  • Keeps warm, moist air out of the attic.

  • Look for leaks around light fixtures, hatches, plumbing stacks, wiring.

• Ventilation

  • Moves moisture out, keeps the attic close to outdoor temperature.

  • Needs soffit intake + ridge or roof vents.

Together, they prevent ice dams, reduce stress on roof decking, and help your roof last. Skip one, and you’ll pay for it later.

Autumn Roof Checklist

•  Inspect the attic — check insulation, frost, moisture, and sheathing.

•  Seal leaks — caulk or foam around pipes, fixtures, hatches.

•  Check ventilation — ensure soffits and ridge vents are clear.

•  Examine flashing — look at chimneys, skylights, valleys.

•  Clean gutters — clear debris so water drains freely.

•  Take photos — keep a record for the future.

Even these simple steps can make a huge difference in how long your roof lasts.

Learning From Experience

We’ve seen it many times: two homes, same neighborhood, same age.

• Home A: invested in insulation, air sealing, ventilation.

• Home B: focused only on shingles and curb appeal.

Ten years later, Home A has a dry attic, stable sheathing, and minimal problems. Home B? Warped decking, ice dam damage, and early replacement needed. Same snow, same cold — the difference was treating the roof as a system, not just a surface.

Why This Matters

Winnipeg winters aren’t forgiving. The city that hit −47.8 °C in 1879, and −39 °C in 2021, proves it.

By focusing on insulation, air sealing, and ventilation, you:

• Protect your home from damage

• Reduce heating bills

• Extend your roof’s lifespan

Tip: inspect your attic this fall. Check vents, flashing, and insulation before the deep freeze hits. In Winnipeg, “good enough” roofing just doesn’t cut it.

Would you like to get an expert eye on your home? Contact our team for a free estimate.