Winter is a season that will expose your roof to extreme conditions increasing its vulnerability to leakages and extensive damages. The strong winds, heavy snow, and the melting ice are some of the weather conditions your roof will experience during this winter season. Below are some of the ways you can protect your roof during winter:
1. Trim the trees surrounding the house
Ensure you do a survey of your surroundings about the trees. It is quite risky to have trees with long branches dangling over your home. This is because they may quickly accumulate snow and break off onto your roof, thus creating damage. Therefore, get rid of such branches by trimming them. Also, trimming any dead tree limbs is effective in eliminating any pests such as raccoons, which may find their way to access your attic for warmth. Lastly, cut down any trees that may be growing leaning towards your house as they may ruin the shingles or the windows following the strong winds.
2. Remove roof debris
The main debris that accumulates on the roof is dead leaves and twigs. These can block scuppers and drains, thus creating ponds and putting unnecessary weight on the rooftop. You can hire a professional contractor to help clear the debris to avoid clogging your roof with leaves and snow during winter.
3. Clean your gutters
Check your roof’s open gutters to ensure there are no fallen leaves, pine needles, twigs, and debris as they can block the gutter’s path. Gutters are essential for draining rainwater and also for the melting snow. Clogging of the downspouts by the rain or melted snow is dangerous. This is because the overflow may lead to roof damage and damage to the interior walls of your house.
4. Replace any loose shingles
Once you notice that any of the shingles are either loose or missing, ensure you replace them before the winter. Shingles are essential in keeping your house dry. Maintaining the shingles regularly is an inexpensive way of protecting your home from the harsh elements. You can assess that your shingles require replacement once you discover leaves, twigs, and other debris beneath the shingles.
5. Do a prior roof inspection
Carry out a thorough roof inspection before winter to ensure your roof is in excellent condition when winter strikes. Without proper scrutiny, the freezing winter weather may aggravate the existing damage to your roof, thus bringing additional destruction. This will also ensure you save your roof from leaks as a result of torrential downpours. Therefore, by inspecting before winter will prepare you better psychologically for the winter season.
6. Have a roofing file
Documentation is key to the maintenance of your roof. Have the roof documents of your original roof installation. These documents should include:
Plans and specs.
The contact information of the installing contractor.
The invoices.
Warranties.
Repair bills.
Inspection reports.
These documents are essential when repairing and maintaining your roof as there are products that are under warranty.
7. Remove snow
Note that keeping your roof clear of debris is vital, both before and during winter. Before winter, get rid of the leaves and twigs on the roof. When the snow starts to fall, pay proper attention to your roof. Once snow accumulates on the roof, remove it as soon as you can. This snow, if left, may turn to ice, thus creating an ice dam on your roof. This, in turn, becomes a severe threat to your roof’s condition. Get a rake to remove the snow. You may consider getting a professional to get rid of the snow, especially if your house is complex in structure, as snow makes your roof quite slippery, which is risky.
8. Improve the attic ventilation
Snow and ice remainders on the roof can distort the shingles, thus leading to seeping in of cold air into your home. Poor attic ventilation can also affect the roof, making the effects of the ice and snow pilings more severe. Proper attic ventilation allows air to circulate within the attic, thus reducing this build-up. Hire a Roofing contractor who will ensure that your attic ventilation is also well insulated. A well maintained attic ventilation system is also financially beneficial as you can significantly reduce the energy costs of your home.
9. Inspect the roof flashing
Roof flashing is a crucial component in ensuring water runs off the roof’s slope. When flashing is in poor condition or missing, severe water damage may occur, which is hazardous. The flashing may tear or loosen following gusts of high wind as well as the freezing rains. Check the flashing to cite any signs of loosening or tearing. Once you notice either of these problems, replace the flashing to avoid chances of having leaks.
10. Replace sealant
Sealing your roof is essential in preventing leaks and keeping water out of your house during winter. Metal roofs require sealing once in two years. Also, after storms and damaging winds, such as during winter, it is essential to replace them.
Conclusion
Above are some of the effective tips you can use to protect and maintain your roof in good condition. Do not wait till winter to take measures towards protecting your home. Proper maintenance will leave your roof in good shape even after the winter weather. Do not forget to keep warm.
Author Bio: Derek Edison Is an Interior Decorator and a passionate writer who loves to write about creating an aesthetic and ambient living environment for everyone. He focuses on sharing ideas and techniques learned from his experience as an Interior Decorator in a concise manner so that it can be used by everyone to make their surroundings beautiful to live in. Currently, He’s working with roofing Company.
