Asphalt shingles are the most popular roofing choice in Manitoba, and for good reason, but our winters are one of the toughest tests a roof can face. Understanding what the cold season does to your shingles helps you protect them.
Freeze-thaw cycles
Manitoba roofs go through constant freezing and thawing. Water finds its way into tiny gaps, freezes, expands, and works those gaps wider over time. This is why small, unaddressed problems (a lifted shingle, a tired flashing) get worse fast over a prairie winter.
Ice dams
When heat escapes into the attic, it melts snow on the roof. That water runs to the cold eaves and refreezes into an ice dam, which forces water back up under the shingles. Ice dams are one of the leading causes of winter leaks here, and the fix is usually a combination of ice and water shield at the eaves plus proper attic ventilation and insulation.
Deep cold and brittleness
In extreme cold, asphalt shingles become more brittle. That’s why walking a roof or doing repairs in a deep freeze requires care, and why quality shingles with good cold-weather ratings matter on the prairies.
Wind and blowing snow
Manitoba wind can lift and tear shingles that weren’t nailed correctly or have lost their seal. Blowing snow can also drive moisture into gaps that a summer rain never would. Proper installation, correct nailing and sealing, is your best protection.
How to protect your roof
- Install ice and water shield at the eaves and valleys.
- Get your attic ventilation and insulation right to prevent ice dams.
- Use quality shingles installed to manufacturer spec.
- Address small problems before winter, not after.
Our roofs are built for exactly these conditions. If you want a roof ready for the next Manitoba winter, get a free estimate and we’ll make sure yours is done right.
