Carports are one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep ice and snow from piling up on your car during the winter months. They give you a clean and secure way to get in and out of your car, allow you to get going faster in the morning, and keep your vehicles looking cleaner for longer.

That said, carports can suffer from winter weather as well. To make sure your steel carport handles the stresses and strains of cold weather with ease, take a few moments to perform these simple checks and maintenance tasks.

Winter Maintenance Checklist for Carports

Check for Damage and Corrosion

Steel carports can last for many years with very little maintenance and upkeep. However, over time moisture can penetrate the protective layers of the metal and cause rust or corrosion. This, in turn, can weaken the structure of your carport and lead to failure.

The best way to prevent this is to check over your entire carport a few times a year and see if you find any rust or corroded areas. Catching rust early is the best way to prevent it from being a problem. It’s very easy to replace a single support or roof panel, and this ensures your carport doesn’t suffer any additional damage.

Check Your Foundations

No matter how durable your carport is, it still depends on the ground below for strength and stability. If your carport is installed over dirt, gravel, or grass you should periodically check for erosion or shifting around your carport. If the ground shifts too much it could cause your carport to warp or lean, which would compromise its strength.

Installing your carport over concrete or asphalt helps prevent problems with shifting ground and erosion. However, you should watch for cracks forming where your carport is bolted down. Over time these cracks can widen, which could allow the bolts holding your carport down to become loose.

Clean Your Gutters

If your carport has gutters installed, you should take time to periodically check and clean them. Allowing leaves and debris to build up in your gutters is asking for trouble. First, it prevents rain water and ice melt from flowing off the roof. Second, if water does pool in your gutters it could then freeze, causing an ice dam that could weigh down your gutters and cause them to sag or even fall off.

The easiest way to prevent this is to get up on a ladder and simply remove debris by hand. You can also buy gutter cleaning accessories or shields to prevent debris from entering, but the best prevention is simply regular maintenance.

Remove Snow and Ice Buildup

If you live somewhere where you get lots of snow or ice at once, it’s important to keep it from building up on your carport roof. Snow and ice weigh a lot – it’s estimated that a quarter of an inch of ice adds about 1.5 pounds of weight per square foot. That might not sound like much, but it can add up to a few hundred pounds. Snow can weigh even more: 10 pounds or more per square foot.

This weight puts a lot of extra stress on your carport, and if left unchecked it could cause leaning, sagging, or buckling. The best way to deal with it is to get a snow rake and remove as much snow and ice as possible from your roof. You can also think ahead and order a carport with a vertical roof, which helps prevent snow and ice buildup from forming.

Learn More from Bargain Barns USA

If you want to learn more about carport maintenance and upkeep or you’re interested in getting a carport to protect your vehicles this winter, call Bargain Barns USA today. We can help you get the best carport for your needs and make sure it lasts. Call 405-872-0338 or 888-607-4060 today to learn more, or visit us on Facebook to see pictures, reviews and more helpful info.