Winter Storm Prep: How to Protect Your Home

When a winter storm is on the way, you need to act fast. Heavy snow, ice, and strong winds can cause serious damage to your home if you aren’t prepared. Fortunately, with the right steps and the Flex Seal Family of Products, you can protect your home from winter weather—even if the storm is fast approaching.

From securing your roof and preventing water infiltration to handling ice dams and preparing for power outages, this blog will walk you through how to safeguard your home when a storm is just around the corner.

Inspect Your Roof

Your roof is your home’s first line of defense against a winter storm. If there are any weak spots, the combination of snow, ice, and wind could cause serious problems. Here are a few essential steps to protect your roof before the storm hits.

NOTE: Roof work is always dangerous, but the risk of falling is greatly increased during cold weather. Even a small patch of snow or ice can cause homeowners to fall from their roofs. Do NOT attempt to climb onto your roof unless you are certain the roof is clear of snow and ice and use a proper harness and safety rope whenever you are working on elevated areas.

1. Check for Loose Shingles

High winds and heavy snow can lift or remove loose shingles, exposing your roof to leaks. This is especially common in older roofs, where wear and tear may have caused shingles to crack or curl. If you spot any visibly loose shingles, use Flex Glue to adhere the shingle back into position. If the roof shingle beneath the loose tab is also broken, use Flex Paste to fill in the void, including down to the roof underlayment or roof sheathing, then resecure the shingle tab back over the repaired area for a fast, weatherproof patch. While this won’t replace a full roof repair, it can prevent water from seeping in until professional repairs can be made.

2. Clean and Reinforce Gutters

We recommend applying Flex Seal® Spray along gutter seams and joints to create a watertight seal. This simple step can help reduce the risk of leaks.

3. Clear Snow

Large snow accumulations, particularly during late-winter storms when temperatures rise and fall dramatically, can create conditions where even roofs in good condition can leak. This happens when snow begins to melt but is trapped on the roof. This water accumulates as an ice dam and can reach areas of the roof well above the eave.

Flexpert Tip: Always prioritize safety—never attempt to climb onto a snow-covered roof, as it can be slippery and dangerous.

Protect Entry Points

1. Seal Windows and Doors

Gaps around windows, doors, frames and thresholds are common culprits for drafts and water leaks. Apply Flex Caulk or Flex Paste in a cartridge to joints around these areas to quickly create a strong seal that blocks water and cold drafts from entering your home.

Flexpert Tip: Never seal the flashing above windows and doors so that water becomes trapped above the flashing - this will create a new leak.

2. Garage Door Protection

Your garage door is a common entry point for water during winter storms. If there are cracks or unnecessary vents in the base of the garage door, you can Apply Flex Tape along those areas to create a strong, waterproof barrier. This will prevent melting snow and rain from seeping into your garage, which can cause damage to items stored there and even impact the foundation. Additionally, if you notice drafts in your garage, you can reinforce the weather stripping to keep cold air out.

Flexpert Tip: If your driveway slopes toward your garage and the seal on the bottom of the garage door is allowing an unacceptable amount of water inside, you should divert the runoff away from the garage door. This can be done by installing a small “speedbump” across the driveway and/or a drain across the full width of the driveway.

3. Basement Window Sealing

If water begins to pool near your basement windows, it’s only a matter of time before it starts seeping through. Use Flex Caulk or Flex Paste around the frames of the windows to create a watertight seal that will keep water out, even during heavy rain or melting snow.

Flexpert Tip: Adding window wells and well covers over basement windows can help reduce the chance of water pooling.

4. Additional Waterproofing

It’s also a good idea to check for vulnerable spots around outlets, vents, or other openings where water could enter. Apply Flex Paste, Flex Caulk, or Flex Seal Spray to seal gaps and prevent water from getting inside

Snow, wind and ice can batter your home, but proper preparation can help you weather the storm. By securing your roof and sealing vulnerable areas with The Flex Seal Family of Products, you can significantly reduce the risk of damage and keep your home safe this winter.