Michiana homeowners have an overwhelming amount of tasks before winter starts each year—rake the yard, prep the garden, check your tires, stock up on emergency supplies, unpack winter clothes, replace the winter clothes that inevitably no longer fit—on and on.
But there’s one item you don’t want to miss on your list: prepping your roof and gutters. Your roof faces three major threats during Indiana winters: Ice dams that force water under shingles, gutter damage from heavy ice loads, and water damage from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
At Equity Roofing, we’ve helped thousands of Indiana and Michigan homeowners make sure their roofs and gutters are ready to take on winter. And today, we’re passing along the same advice we’ve given to them over the years.
In this article, we’ll walk you through exactly what to inspect, clean, and upgrade to ensure your roof and attic are fully winter-ready. By the end, you’ll be ready to take on your prep list like a pro.
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Indiana and Michigan homeowners should finish winter prep between early October and mid-November. During this time, the weather is still nice enough to work safely on your roof. You'll also beat the first big freeze.
Waiting until December or January means you're gambling with your home's protection. Once ice and snow settle on your roof, many preventive measures become difficult to complete. Ice makes roof work hazardous even for professionals. What could have been a simple fall repair becomes an expensive winter emergency.
Indiana and Michigan have big temperature changes that create "nail pops." This happens when nails push up through your shingles because the shingles expand and contract. Hot summers and freezing winters make this problem worse.
Each exposed nail becomes a leak point during freeze-thaw cycles. As snow and ice go through repeated melting and refreezing, water finds these tiny openings and seeps into your home. What starts as a barely visible nail head in the fall can become a steady drip in your ceiling by January.
| What to Look For | Why It Matters |
| Missing, lifted, or curling shingles | Exposes underlayment and decking to water damage during freeze-thaw cycles |
| Visible nail heads or “pops” | Water can enter through nail holes, causing leaks and ceiling stains |
| Granules collecting in gutters | Indicates shingle aging and loss of protective coating |
| Rust or gaps in flashing | Creates leak paths around chimneys, vents, and valleys |
| Old or failed patch jobs | May not hold through heavy snow or ice storms |
Once you’ve completed your roof inspection, it’s time to move your attention to your gutters.
Clogged gutters become ice traps that destroy your gutter system and damage your roof edge. Homeowners in snowy states should clean their gutters of all debris, including leaves, twigs, and shingle granules. These granules, washed from aging shingles, mix with other debris to create concrete-like dams when frozen.
The attachment strength of your gutters becomes critical in winter. Ice can weigh hundreds of pounds per section–far more than gutters are designed to hold continuously. When gutters aren't properly secured to your fascia boards, this weight will pull them completely off your house. The damage extends beyond just losing gutters; falling ice-filled gutters can damage siding, windows, and landscaping below.
Check for:
It may not be the most thrilling house chores, but keeping healthy gutters is certainly one of the most important.
Proper attic insulation and ventilation help to prevent ice dams on Michiana roofs. Ice dams form when heat escaping through your attic melts the snow on your roof. The water refreezes at cold eaves, creating a dam that forces water under shingles.
You may have an issue with your attic's insulation or ventilation system if you notice the following:
Checking your attic before severe winter weather hits can help keep the issues at bay.
For Indiana homes, your attic insulation should have:
What's R-value? It measures how well insulation stops heat from escaping. The higher the number, the better it works.
| Insulation Type | R-Value per Inch | Recommended Depth (for R-48) | Notes |
| Blown Cellulose | R-3.2 | ~16 inches | Common in Indiana and Michigan homes; affordable and effective |
| Fiberglass Batt | R-3.0 | ~16 inches | Must be evenly laid; gaps reduce efficiency |
| Spray Foam (Closed Cell) | R-6.0 | ~8 inches | High cost, but provides superior air sealing |
| Mineral Wool | R-3.7 | ~13 inches | Fire-resistant; good soundproofing |
| Loose-Fill Fiberglass | R-2.5 | ~19 inches | Settles over time, requires occasional topping off |
Insulation squishes down over time. What started as 24 inches might become 20 inches after a few years. This makes it less effective, so you need to check it regularly.
Learn more about recommended attic insulation levels from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Good airflow in your attic stops moisture buildup and keeps your home's temperature steady.
Look For:
The IBHS shares in-depth strategies for preventing costly roof damage from ice dams. If you find problems with your attic's airflow, call a professional roofer to check it out.
There are plenty of tasks a homeowner can safely do themselves for their roof’s winter preparation. We’ll cover the best items for homeowners to do, and when it’s best to call a professional for help.
Tree damage is a big risk for Indiana and Michigan homes, but you can prevent it. Branches hanging over your roof become really dangerous in winter when they're heavy with snow and ice. Even healthy branches can break and damage your shingles or poke holes in your roof.
The trick is fixing these problems before winter arrives. Once snow piles up on branches, it's too late to trim them safely.
Professional roofers check everything: shingles, gutter security, insulation, airflow, and your roof's structure.
If your roof is 15 years old or older, winter prep becomes even more important. Older roofs have dealt with years of Indiana weather. The protective coating has washed off shingles. Metal flashings might have small gaps. Sealants around vents and chimneys have probably dried out and cracked.
These old parts might work fine in nice weather, but winter stress can turn small problems into big ones. That's why professional checks are so important for older roofs—trained experts can spot problems you might miss.
Winter damage to your roof and gutters is preventable with proper preparation. With this list in hand, you’re equipped to make sure your roof is ready to face the winter season head-on.
Once you’ve completed your roof inspection, your next step is to clean your gutters—we cover how to clean gutters like a pro in these eight steps.
We always recommend a professional roof inspection in addition to your own. Find the best roofers for the Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan area, pre-vetted based on certifications, Google reviews, and professionalism.
Protecting your home starts with protecting your roof. Make sure yours is ready for whatever this winter brings.