Where would we be without our roofs? Freezing cold and covered in snow, most likely. Most people don’t even give their roofs a second thought, but they’re the first line of defense against inclement weather, so they deserve some attention. If you’ve never really thought about it before, we’ll give you a few tips on how to protect your roof in the winter. This will make sure you get through the cold months unscathed.
Insulate
If you want to make sure your roof can handle the cold and the snow, you’ll need to make sure it’s properly insulated from the inside. This will not only keep your house warmer but also reduce the chances of ice dams forming on your roof. You can insulate your attic yourself, but you may want to leave this job up to the professionals to make sure it’s done correctly.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Cleaning out your gutters may sound like an annoying chore, but it leaves and debris from building up and freezing on top of your roof. If your roof has no drainage, moisture will continue to sit and put pressure on your roof. This can eventually lead to your roof leaking or, even worse, caving in.
Don’t Wait on Repairs
Winter is not the time to play around with roof repairs. If you want to know how to protect your roof this winter, repair it early and often. This will ensure no problem ever becomes a catastrophe that you have to deal with during the coldest months of the year. Stay on top of your maintenance, and your roof will be fine for many winters to come.
Inspect Nearby Foliage
With winter usually comes a heavy layer of snow, and with a lot of snow comes broken tree branches. If your home’s surrounding foliage is getting a little old, rotten, or worn down, it might be time to consider removing it before it causes a real problem. Even a relatively small branch damage a roof when left unchecked.
Call in the Professionals
Not everyone has what it takes to work on their rooftops. There’s nothing wrong with calling in a professional to do the job for you. You’ll be glad you did if you find out there was a problem—and even if there wasn’t one, you now have more peace of mind going deeper into winter.
