Best Practices for Maintaining a Leak-Free Commercial Roof in Winter

As winter barrels into the Upper Midwest, commercial roofs face a relentless barrage of snow, ice, frigid temperatures, and temperature swings. For property managers and building owners across Minnesota and Wisconsin, a leak-free roof isn’t just about protecting the building — it’s about safeguarding your operations, your tenants, and your bottom line.

Winter conditions can turn small roof vulnerabilities into expensive emergencies overnight, which is why proactive winter maintenance is essential to avoid costly roof leaks and unexpected downtime.

At Wheeler Construction, we know that a strong winter maintenance strategy is more than just routine — it’s your first line of defense. A minor oversight, like clogged drainage or snow accumulation, can quickly become a major liability under the weight of a snowstorm or the freeze-thaw cycles typical of the Twin Cities region. Winter roofing issues rarely offer second chances, and building owners who prepare ahead of the season are the ones who avoid those dreaded emergency calls when the mercury drops.

In this article, we’ll explore the most effective winter practices to keep your commercial roof watertight through the harshest months of the year. Each section is crafted to help you make informed, preventative choices that protect your roof’s lifespan and your investment — with insights grounded in the winter realities we know all too well at Wheeler Construction.

Why Snow Removal Should Be a Core Part of Your Commercial Roof Maintenance Plan

Snow removal isn't just a reactive measure — it's a proactive defense against a host of winter roofing issues. Heavy snow loads can place excessive stress on your roof's structural integrity, especially flat and low-slope systems commonly used in commercial buildings.

Even when snowfall seems manageable, repeated accumulation and compaction can exceed load limits, risking sagging, cracks, or catastrophic collapse. Routine snow clearing helps distribute weight evenly, prevents ponding, and reduces the risk of minor structural deformations that may go unnoticed until a leak forms.

In addition to weight-related concerns, snowmelt from rooftop HVAC units or daily temperature fluctuations can result in water infiltration. If that moisture refreezes overnight or becomes trapped under new snow, it can expand into seams or flashing, exacerbating weaknesses. Timely snow removal helps eliminate this cycle, maintaining the integrity of waterproofing membranes and minimizing the possibility of moisture intrusion under layers of ice or snow.

Moreover, proper removal techniques — using plastic shovels, snow rakes, or professional crews — prevent punctures or membrane tears during the process.

Skipping snow removal might seem economical in the short term, but it often leads to emergency roof repairs from avoidable roof leaks. Wheeler Construction frequently encounters businesses dealing with preventable damage due to overlooked snow maintenance, and incorporating snow clearance into your winter plan can substantially lower long-term costs and disruptions.

The Threat Ice Dams Pose to Flat Roof Membranes

Ice dams, commonly associated with pitched roofs, are equally problematic for flat commercial roofs — though they behave differently. On a flat surface, melting snow can flow toward internal drains or scuppers and refreeze when temperatures drop, creating barriers that trap meltwater. This trapped water, unable to escape, finds its way into seams, penetrations, and flashing details, slowly degrading roof membranes and insulation over time.

Inconsistent insulation or poor drainage design can accelerate ice dam formation. When sections of a flat roof remain warmer than others — typically due to heat loss from the building interior — localized melting occurs, followed by nighttime refreezing.

The resulting ice dams gradually force water laterally under membranes, where it infiltrates weak points and insulation layers. This saturation isn’t always immediately visible and can cause mold, rot, or insulation failure before the leak shows up indoors.

Integrating proper slope design, maintaining clear drainage paths, and scheduling seasonal inspections are critical to identifying vulnerabilities. Pairing these with structured maintenance plans ensures your roof can shed water effectively before it becomes ice, preserving the membrane's performance throughout winter.

Understanding How Thermal Shock Weakens Roof Seams

Thermal shock — the rapid expansion and contraction of roofing materials due to dramatic temperature shifts — is one of winter’s silent destroyers. Commercial roofs in Minnesota and Wisconsin frequently endure days with extreme highs and lows within a 24-hour span, sometimes ranging over 40°F. These fluctuations cause roofing materials to expand during the day and contract sharply at night, placing immense stress on seams, fasteners, and membranes.

Seams are especially vulnerable because they represent transition points between different materials or membrane sheets. As these joints expand and contract at different rates, the adhesives or welding points can weaken.

Over time, this repetitive movement leads to seam fatigue, micro-tears, or delamination — all of which invite water infiltration, especially when snowmelt is sitting above the seam. Single-ply systems like EPDM or TPO are particularly susceptible when not maintained annually.

Thermal movement cannot be avoided, but it can be mitigated through material selection, proper installation techniques, and seasonal inspections to monitor seam health. Understanding the local climate’s freeze-thaw dynamics is crucial in identifying when and where these stresses will accumulate, and taking preemptive measures can substantially reduce long-term risks.

Choosing the Right Emergency Repair Materials for Sub-Freezing Temperatures

When winter damage strikes, the speed and effectiveness of emergency repairs can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and significant property damage. But cold weather significantly limits the materials available for reliable patching or sealing. Many roofing adhesives, primers, and coatings lose their efficacy below 40°F, making conventional repair kits unusable during deep winter conditions.

Fortunately, there are products specifically designed for sub-freezing applications. Butyl-based adhesives, cold-weather TPO patches, and winter-grade sealants remain flexible and cure reliably even in temperatures as low as -10°F. These materials must be stored properly and applied under dry conditions for best results, as trapped moisture or snow can interfere with adhesion. For built-up roofs or modified bitumen systems, cold-applied mastic or rubberized repair tapes are common choices due to their stick-and-seal capabilities even on icy substrates.

Preparation is key — keeping an emergency cold-weather repair kit on hand, and training maintenance teams on its correct usage, ensures your building isn’t left vulnerable while waiting for a thaw. Stocking materials that don’t require heat welding or extended curing allows teams to respond swiftly during storm events or freeze cycles when standard solutions would fail.

Effectiveness of Cold-Weather Roof Inspections

Cold-weather inspections are often questioned for their reliability, especially when snow and ice obscure large portions of a roof surface. However, dismissing winter inspections altogether is a mistake. Experienced commercial roof inspectors can still identify signs of trouble such as unusual drainage patterns, freeze-thaw damage, seam delamination, and condensation issues — even when full surface access is limited.

Modern infrared thermography allows inspectors to detect trapped moisture or insulation voids without peeling back roof layers. Likewise, drones equipped with thermal cameras can identify heat loss zones or potential leak sources beneath snow cover.

These technologies enable high-quality inspections in winter, helping teams document damage early and plan repairs before spring. Even simple visual inspections around roof penetrations, flashings, and drains provide critical insight into system performance under active seasonal stress.

Rather than avoiding inspections during cold months, property managers should prioritize targeted winter checkups as part of their risk mitigation strategy. Paired with earlier fall assessments, these efforts ensure nothing is missed during a critical time when roofing systems are under their heaviest load.

How Wheeler Construction Can Help Protect Your Commercial Roof All Winter Long

Winter roofing challenges demand more than generic maintenance — they require tailored expertise from professionals who understand the Upper Midwest's unique weather patterns. At Wheeler Construction, we specialize in helping commercial property owners in Minnesota and Wisconsin stay ahead of snow load issues, ice dams, thermal stress, and cold-weather emergencies. From custom snow removal strategies to seasonal inspection plans, our team ensures your commercial roof remains leak-free and structurally sound when it matters most.

Our trained technicians work year-round and are equipped with the tools and materials needed to perform cold-weather repairs, conduct infrared and drone-assisted inspections, and implement preventative maintenance programs that catch vulnerabilities early. 

Don't let another Midwest winter take a toll on your roof. Reach out to Wheeler Construction to learn how our commercial roofing services can protect your investment. Visit our contact us page or call us at 651-325-5139 to schedule a consultation. Trust the professionals who are big enough to handle your job and local enough to care — trust Wheeler Construction.