How to Prepare Your Commercial Roof for Winter

Winter is just around the corner. It’s time to prepare your commercial roof for winter by reviewing its maintenance history, scheduling a professional inspection, addressing needed repairs, and clearing debris from its drainage system.

Taking these steps before snow arrives gives you a chance to resolve existing problems before winter makes them harder to manage.

For Minnesota property owners and facility managers, preparation also means thinking beyond the first snowfall. Snow accumulation, melting, and refreezing can affect roof drainage and allow water into a building.

A fall inspection is an opportunity to identify concerns and make a plan before those conditions develop.

Review Your Roof’s Maintenance History

Start with what you already know about your roof. Previous inspection reports, repair records, and notes about leaks can help your roofing contractor understand where to focus attention.

Before scheduling an inspection, gather answers to these questions:

How old is the roof, and what type of roofing system does the building have?
When was it last inspected?
Were the recommended repairs completed?
Have you noticed leaks, ceiling stains, or recurring moisture problems?
Has the building experienced significant storms since the last inspection?
Has anyone installed or serviced rooftop equipment since the last roof assessment?

Share any recurring concerns, even if they seem minor. A leak that stopped during dry weather still belongs on the list.

If you manage several properties, keep the records organized by building. That makes it easier to connect inspection findings with previous repairs and plan the next steps.

Schedule a Professional Commercial Roof Inspection

Arrange an inspection before snow and ice obscure the roof’s surface. Tell your contractor about any previous leaks, drainage concerns, and recent roof work.

The inspection should address the conditions relevant to your particular roofing system. Ask about:

The condition of the roof covering and, where applicable, its seams.
Flashings—the materials that help keep water out around roof edges, walls, and rooftop penetrations.
Signs of damage or deterioration.
Debris and potential drainage obstructions.
Areas that need repair or further evaluation.

Roof seams and deteriorated flashings are among the conditions that routine inspections can uncover. Roof drainage also deserves attention because its performance depends on more than whether a drain opening looks clear.

You do not need to diagnose the problem before calling. Your role is to share what you have observed and make sure unresolved concerns receive attention.

Address Repairs Before Winter Conditions Complicate the Work

Once the inspection is complete, review the findings with your roofing contractor. Ask which issues need prompt attention, which can be monitored, and whether any require additional investigation.

The repair approach should fit the roofing system and the problem. A drainage concern, damaged flashing, and a roof-covering defect are not interchangeable issues.

If repairs are recommended, ask:

What problem will the repair address?
Is it a temporary measure or a longer-term repair?
Are weather conditions likely to affect scheduling or completion?
Will any follow-up work or inspection be needed?

Keep the completed repair documentation with your roof records. Mint Roofing’s TopSite Preventative Maintenance program provides inspection reporting with photos and a history of work performed, helping building owners and managers track roof conditions over time.

Clear Debris and Check the Roof’s Drainage System

Leaves and other debris deserve attention before the first snowfall. Arrange for a qualified crew to clear the drainage components your building actually has, whether those include interior roof drains, gutters, downspouts, or scuppers—openings that allow water to drain through a perimeter wall.

Clearing an opening is only part of the job. If an area repeatedly holds water, ask your contractor to evaluate why. Roof slope and the drainage layout also affect how water leaves the roof.

Recheck the need for debris removal after nearby trees finish shedding their leaves. A roof cleared early in the fall may need another visit before winter.

Snow accumulation and freeze/thaw conditions can interfere with drainage even after fall cleanup. Preparing the system now does not eliminate the need to watch for concerns during winter.

Make a Plan for Winter Roof Concerns

Before the season begins, decide who will report leaks, contact your roofing contractor, and coordinate access to the building.

Keep these items readily available:

Your roofing contractor’s contact information.
Recent inspection reports and repair records.
A way to record the location and timing of interior leaks.
Building-access information for service visits.

If snow accumulation becomes a concern, seek a building-specific assessment rather than relying on a single snow-depth rule. Snow weight varies, and significant accumulation can place substantial loads on a building.

Mint Roofing provides commercial roof snow and ice removal in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas. If your building may need that service, discuss arrangements before a storm rather than waiting until access becomes difficult.

Keep Roof Maintenance on the Calendar

Preparing for winter works best as part of an ongoing maintenance plan, not a once-a-year scramble.

Mint Roofing’s TopSite Preventative Maintenance program begins with a roof inspection and recommended next steps. The program includes photo documentation, a service history, and recurring inspections scheduled annually or semiannually.

Those records help you understand what has changed, what has been repaired, and what still needs attention.

Get Your Commercial Roof Ready for Winter

If your roof is due for an inspection—or you have an unresolved leak or drainage concern—call Mint Roofing at 952-473-8080 to schedule a pre-winter roof inspection and discuss the next steps for your building.

Frequently asked questions about preparing a commercial roof for winter

When should a commercial roof be inspected before winter?

Schedule a commercial roof inspection in the fall, before snow and ice cover the roof and make its condition harder to assess. Leave time to complete recommended repairs and clear debris before freezing weather arrives. If you notice a leak or other damage, arrange an assessment rather than waiting for a seasonal inspection.

Does a commercial roof need an inspection if it isn’t leaking?

Yes. A commercial roof inspection can identify maintenance needs even when no leaks are visible inside the building. Reviewing the roof’s condition and addressing recommended repairs helps you prepare for winter rather than waiting for a problem to interrupt building operations. The inspection schedule should reflect the roof’s age, condition, and exposure to severe weather.

Why is roof drainage important during winter?

Commercial roof drainage allows melting snow and ice to leave the roof. Blocked drains, gutters, downspouts, or scuppers can interfere with that flow, allowing water to accumulate. Snow buildup and repeated melting and refreezing can further affect drainage and contribute to water entering the building. Fall debris removal is an important first step, but drainage may need attention throughout winter.

How much snow is too much for a commercial roof?

There is no single snow-depth limit that applies to every commercial roof. The risk depends on the building’s structural capacity, snow density, ice accumulation, and whether snow has drifted into concentrated areas. Wet or compacted snow can weigh substantially more than fresh snow. Have a qualified professional assess building-specific concerns rather than relying on depth alone to decide when removal is necessary.

Does Mint Roofing offer preventative commercial roof maintenance?

Yes. Mint Roofing’s TopSite Preventative Maintenance program includes a roof inspection, recommended next steps, photo documentation, and a work history. You can schedule recurring inspections annually or semiannually. The program helps commercial property owners and managers track roof conditions and plan maintenance, including preparation for winter.