If you have a metal roof, you already know that it can handle a lot of extreme temperatures and weather conditions, including heat and cold. While snow and ice don't have a tendency to cause damage, you still want to reduce the risks as much as possible. Here are some different ways to prevent damage from snow and ice on your metal roof.

Get the Roof Inspected 

Before you do anything else, it is a good idea to have your roof inspected. If your metal roof hasn't been looked at by a professional roofing contractor in a while, this should preferably be done before the winter season arrives. They can look for signs of damage, particularly with cracks or holes, which might be worsened with snow and ice. By having the repairs or replacements done now, you avoid more severe damage to the roof and also prevent leaks inside your home.

Shovel the Snow

When snow starts to build up on top of your metal roof, make sure you are getting it shoveled on a regular basis. This snow puts your roof at risk in a number of ways. First of all, the added weight of the snow and ice can cause too much stress on the roofing materials, which might lead to cracks and other types of damage. The snow might also melt if the roof gets too hot, which causes it to drip down to the gutters, where it may re-freeze and cause ice dams. This can cause even more damage you don't want to deal with.

Keep the Gutters Clean

In addition to shoveling snow off the roof, you also want to clean the gutters in order to reduce ice dams. They typically form if the melted snow and ice gets stuck in the gutters due to debris that is clogging them. If the gutters are clear, the melted ice should drip down the gutters and downspouts, thus avoiding ice dams altogether. You can do this yourself or hire a professional to clean the gutters periodically.

Have the Roof Sealed

Metal roofing materials like panels and shingles can also be sealed, which provides an extra protective layer. This will help to avoid damage from snow and ice, keep it protected from extreme temperatures, and avoid issues like rust and corrosion that metal materials might be prone to. Contact a roofing contractor to discuss sealing the metal roofing materials and finding out how often this needs to be done.