Roofing Tips for the Winter

1. Clean your gutters

When you winterize your roof, there’s a good chance that you don’t consider your gutters. But cleaning them out should be one of the first things on your list. 

Gutters which are blocked by debris harm your roofing system by preventing proper water flow. And water that’s overflowing from your gutter can over time ruin your foundation. Additionally, this same water often freezes throughout the winter, weighing down the gutters, and eventually leading to their collapse. 

All this amounts to expensive repairs. This is because in addition to the gutters being destroyed, the area the gutters pull away from is itself likely to be damaged. The risk of not cleaning your gutters is therefore too great. Make sure to check them frequently to ensure that melted snow or other water can easily flow through.

2. Check your attic

Effective attic insulation is critical and has a number of benefits, not the least of which affect your roof.

Proper insulation keeps your house at a comfortable temperature throughout the winter, reduces your utility costs, and increases the value of your house, but in addition, also contributes to the ultimate safety of your roof . 

That’s why part of doing your roof maintenance assessment is checking your attic's insulation levels and ventilation pathways. If you can see the floor joists or if the insulation is installed unevenly, you’ll need to add more or fix what’s done incorrectly. 

A safe roof is one that’s properly ventilated. Without good ventilation, issues with leakage might arise and your attic will grow moist, which may lead to growth of mold or other issues.

3. Keep snow away

While a snow-covered rooftop can seem romantic and picture-perfect, letting snow sit for too long can lead to costly damage. Fresh snow poses an immediate threat to your roofing system if too much accumulates and it becomes overly heavy. And when that same snow melts, it may leave behind what is known as an ice dam. And while water on a roof is not unusual, the problem arises when it refreezes.

Melted ice returns to its original state when temperatures fall below freezing, generally overnight. It then builds a dam in or next to your gutters, which causes any runoff precipitation to back up. This may even loosen your shingles leading to leaks.

4. Check on flashing

Roof flashing, though frequently ignored or forgotten, is actually a crucial element of a well-maintained roof . Flashing is a metal or rubber membrane used to seal a roof's openings in order to prevent water damage to your home. It should be examined and if necessary, replaced. Examine your current flashing before beginning your seasonal roof care regimen. Even if it was placed correctly initially, it may have eventually loosened or become deformed.

Try to have it rectified as quickly as you can if it's broken. Snow and other ice precipitation might enter your roof more easily with poor flashing. If too much extra moisture accumulates, an internal leak is likely. If there are any issues, have them repaired as soon as possible.

5. Fix any wind damage

Extremely strong winter winds have the potential to seriously harm our roofs. Look for evidence of wind damage on your roof, and then take the necessary steps to fix any potential weak areas! In particular, keep an eye out for missing or damaged shingles, flashing, and gutter damage.

These weak points won't merely let leaks into your house if they go unchecked. They’ll also operate as a haven for the growth of mold, mildew, and some pretty unpleasant germs. So, ask your roof care expert to fix or replace any sections where the wind has torn through the roof.

6. Trim trees

Trimming any overhanging trees should be one of your first priorities once winter arrives. When snow-covered, branches that are overgrown can become too heavy and snap, landing on your roof. Smaller branches should also be clipped since they can scrape against windows and siding during strong winter gusts. 

Even though you may not actually be able to see the issues that snapping branches can lead to, the resulting damage may exist regardless. Damage usually comes in the form of leaks that are difficult to fix in the winter. 

Therefore it’s critical to trim surrounding tree branches, especially those that are close to your roof, so that you can have peace of mind during the heavy wind and storms that winter inevitably brings.

7. Get a professional roof inspection

Certain aspects of inspection and roof maintenance you can do on your own, but with the more dangerous or complicated tasks, it may be preferable to call on the professionals.

Allowing the professionals to do it not only saves you time and efforts, but also guarantees that your house and roofing system will be in excellent condition for the cold weather months. You can relax, knowing that your roof is in great condition to handle everything that winter throws at you!

Conclusion

Wintertime roof upkeep is crucial, as without it, your roof may suffer when the first chilly weather arrives. 

By making plans in advance, you’ll have sufficient time to ensure that your roofing system is prepared for the potential damage risks of the next winter. Fixing roof damage sooner rather than later is always cheaper.

But even if you’re unable to inspect your roof before winter starts, you can still protect it by being vigilant about any ice dams that form and addressing them right away. Read more roofing blogs here.