The weather has turned colder, the leaves are turning colors, and you’ve put away your summer clothes. As you prepare your house and home for the coming winter months, make sure that you include taking care of your roof on that upkeep list. Locate a roofing company in to help you prepare your roof for the winter and to help you avoid big problems come spring.
Clean Out Gutters
Make sure to clean your gutters of leaves, pine needles, or any other detritus, which might have accumulated over the previous seasons. These could lead to blockages in your drains which could prevent rain and melting snow from draining, leading to standing water on your roof or water creating damage from leaks. Standing water, leaks, and the build-up of ice dams could mean serious damage for your roof if left all winter.
Have an Inspection
Check your roof for missing or broken shingles and replace them as needed, and make sure that all flashing around chimneys or overhangs is flush with no holes or loose spots. Go into your attic or crawlspace and check for any leaks, stains, or water spots that might indicate a past leak. A roofing company can help you perform a pre-winter roof check to help ensure that nothing is overlooked.
Install Extra Insulation and Check Ventilation
The sunlight hitting your roof all day in the winter can increase the temperature of the air in your attic. If that hot attic air is unable to escape through adequate ventilation points, it can condensate and cause moisture and mold damage, and it can also overheat rooms located nearby. Make sure that all attic vents are clear, and install extra insulation in critical areas to help reduce your energy costs and prevent roof damage.
Neglecting your roof before the coming of rain, snow, and cold can lead to damage that could go undetected until the spring—possibly making minor problems much worse. Working with a professional roofing company can help you get your roof in tip-top shape before the big freeze.