While the temperature drops, the radar, and winter sets in, homeowners should shift their focus toward roof maintenance. The cold seasons come with ice, snow, and weather extremities that lead to severe damage when the roof is not appropriately prepared. Undertaking the right measures to ensure the pristine condition of the roof during the winter can help save time, money, and possible headaches in the future. With a couple of simple tasks, you can safeguard your property from the harsh components of winter and keep it safe and more secure throughout the seasons. So, here we bring for you a couple of important winter roof maintenance tips that every homeowner should understand about preparing your roof for the colder months.
Prepping Your Roof for Winter
Appropriate roof maintenance prior to the winter season can help save you from handling leaks, ice dams, or any expensive repairs in the future. You can even opt for professional roof cleaning services; however, the tips we have shared today will help you know how to prep your roof for winter ahead.
Inspect Your Roof for Damage
Start by preparing your roof by performing a complete inspection. Take a tour around your home and check for signs of damage and roofing problems like cracked tiles, missing shingles, or damaged flashings. Check out the areas surrounding skylights, chimneys, and vents since these are the areas that are often prone to damage or leaks. Whenever you find any noticeable issues, try to address them right before the winter to prevent any further damage. A professional roof inspection is often recommended here if you need clarification on the damages or while dealing with an older roof. An experienced roofer often finds hidden issues like rotting wood that weakens the structure of the roof over time.
Trim Overhanging Branches
The buildup of ice and snow on the branches often makes them snap, thereby damaging the gutters or the roof. Here, you can hire expert roofers offering guttering services to locate the damages and keep them in pristine condition. Before winter sets in, trim the overhanging branches that are near your roof. It will assist in the prevention of debris from falling onto the roof while reducing the risk of structural damage that is caused by broken limbs. Check for the trees that are closer to your roof while ensuring that the limbs are trimmed right back to a safer distance. Trimming trees not only helps in the prevention of damage while keeping your roof clean, but it also helps in minimising the amount of debris and leaves accumulating.
Check Your Insulation and Ventilation
A properly ventilated or well-insulated attic is important for preventing the formation of ice dams and ensuring the appropriate performance of the roof in the winter times. Lack of insulation makes the heat escape from your home, warming the underside of the roof and causing the premature melting of snow. The meltwater further refreezes along the eaves creating some dangerous ice dams. Also, ensure that the attic stays appropriately ventilated and insulated. The best rule here is to have 12 inches of insulation and the proper airflow out of the ridge vents and soffit vents. It assists in keeping the roof cold, preventing the snow from melting or refreezing at the edges.
Check for Leaks and Seal Gaps
Prior to the arrival of winter, inspect your home to check for leaks and gaps, mainly around the attic and roof. The cracks and the smaller holes enable cold air, snow, or water to enter the home, leading to notable issues in the future. Seal the gaps present around the vents, chimneys, skylights, and other roof penetrations. Make use of the roofing caulk or sealant for filling out the cracks preventing the drafts from entering into your home. Focus on the areas where the flashing connects to the roof, while these are the areas from where leaks happen.
Prepare for Snow and Ice Removal
The effective buildup of ice and snow on the roof is quite difficult, mainly because it is left for a long to accumulate. If your area is prone to heavier snowfall then you might have to remove the snow out of the roof all through the winter season. Also, avoid the use of sharp tools or objects that would damage the roof during snow removal. Here, it would help if you used a roof rake with a longer handle to pull the snow off the roof gently. Ensure of removing the snow that is accessible safely while climbing onto the roof in the winter season is extremely dangerous.
Furthermore, if you find any ice dams along the roofing eaves, it is essential to address them promptly. Use calcium chloride or identical products to melt the ice, or contact a professional for safer removal. Also, never try breaking the ice with a hammer or any other sharp tool, as it causes notable damage to the roofing materials.
Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection
Since taking proactive maintenance is important, scheduling a professional roof inspection is extremely essential. A renowned roofing contractor can identify all the possible issues that often go unnoticed during a DIY inspection. The professionals will evaluate the entire condition of the roof while suggesting the required repairs before the winter weather escalates. Professional roofing inspections can assist in ensuring that the roof is prepared for the entire winter season. They can help in noticing the signs of damages that need more attention and extend the lifespan of the roof, preventing expensive repairs in the future.
Conclusion
It is important to undertake the proper measures to secure your roof before the brunt of the winter strikes. Handling the smaller issues at present can help prevent them from snowballing into massive catastrophes in the future. Following the winter maintenance tips that we have shared, every homeowner will have a highly secure and well-kept roof throughout the cold season. Roofing experts at Sterling Roofing Contractors Ltd will perform a complete inspection of your roof during the winter to check for any damages. Contact us today for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Frequently Should I Inspect My Roof In the Winter?
It is always recommended to choose the right roofers who can inspect your roof twice during the winter: once right before the winter starts and once again after a heavy storm or snow. Proper routine inspections can help locate possible issues like ice dams or leaks, preventing costly damages.
How Can Sterling Roofing Contractors Ltd Help with Winter Roof Maintenance?
Sterling Roofing Contractors Ltd are renowned professionals offering roof inspection as well as maintenance services to help prepare your roof for the winter. Our roofers will locate the issues and perform the required repairs to help with any further damages. Contact us for more about our services.
Can I Remove Snow from My Roof Without Damaging It?
Absolutely, snow removal from the roof is easy with the help of a roof rake. However, you can do it on your own but do it with care to avoid damaging the shingles or other roofing materials.