Winter can do more damage to your roof than in other seasons. Check out these roof maintenance tips for this winter to help avoid damage that could cost a lot of money.
It’s winter, which means the weather is getting colder and you’ll want to spend more time inside than you would at other times of the year. Is your roof ready to help keep your house warm?
Your roof needs to be kept in good shape all year long. Still, it’s important to pay extra attention to roof maintenance during these cold months. Because of the snow and the cold, this is when your roof will get the most damage.
It is very important to take the time to properly protect it.
Today, we’re going to look at seven things you can do to take care of your roof during the winter so that it works at its best.
Want to know more? Let’s get started!
1. Remove snow right away
Snow on a roof can look like it belongs on a postcard. But if it sits around for too long, it can also cause trouble.
Snow, like ice, puts a lot of weight on your roof. This means that if it’s even a little bit broken, it could cause a lot of damage.
When it melts, water that stays on your roof can make what is called an ice dam. Water on a roof is nothing new, but when it freezes again, it can cause problems.
When the temperature drops below freezing, which usually happens overnight, the melted ice gets hard again. So, it makes a dam in or around your gutters, which slows down any water that runs off. This could cause your shingles to come loose or even cause a leak.
Remove all the snow and ice from your roof as quickly and completely as you can so it stays dry for longer. Since the weather can make the surfaces slippery, it’s often best to hire a roof maintenance company to come to take care of the problem for you.
2. Fix the lights
Start your roof maintenance for the winter by taking a look at your existing flashing. Even if it was put in the right way years ago, it can get bent or even come loose over time.
If it’s broken, try to fix it as soon as possible. If your flashing isn’t done right, snow and other icy weather can get into your roof more easily. If there is too much moisture inside, you may have an interior leak.
Your roof shingles are the same way. If any are peeling or chipping, get them replaced right away. If you leave them open, they also let water build up and get into your ceiling.
3. Look at your gutters
One of the first places where snow and ice will start to fall? Your gutters.
Because of this, it’s important to keep an eye on them for signs of ice dams. A good rule of thumb is that if they have icicles hanging off of them, they probably already have a build-up.
The first problem is that if your gutters are full of ice, they may become too weak to hold all that weight. So, they can tear themselves away from your house. This does a lot of damage to the structure and leaves you with a big repair bill.
To keep your gutters strong and working well, you need to get rid of all ice dams as soon as they start to form.
4. Fix any damage caused by the wind
When you think about roof maintenance in the winter, snow and ice are probably the first things that come to mind. However, don’t forget how powerful the wind can be. If a big storm comes through your area, the wind can do just as much damage as rain or snow.
Check to see if there are any signs of wind damage on your roof, and fix any spots that may have been hurt. You are looking for shingles or other roofing materials that are missing, broken, or damaged.
If you don’t fix these weak spots, they won’t just let water into your home. They will also be good places for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow and spread. So, call your roof maintenance person and ask them to come to fix or replace any places where the wind has torn away the shingles.
5. Check the airflow in your attic
You might not know it, but the way your roof works has a direct effect on how well your attic works. Why? If your attic doesn’t have enough ventilation or insulation, it can make your roof more exposed to the winter weather, which can lead to problems like ice dams.
When you do a maintenance check on your roof, go inside and make sure your attic has enough insulation and good ways to let air in and out. The key to keeping your roof as safe as possible is to keep the airflow steady.
6. Clean up all the trash
Make sure your roof and all the parts around it, like gutters, flashing, and downspouts, are clean before the winter storms hit. This can include things like pine needles, leaves, and other dirt that build up on its surface.
By doing this, you can help make sure that if a storm comes, the water won’t stick to your roof more. If it sticks to trash, the small pieces can soak up water and rot, which can cause a leak or other damage.
Take a rake or a broom and clean your roof as much as you can in the fall to keep it clear all winter.
7. Get a professional to check it out
Some roof maintenance tasks can be done by the homeowner, but if you want your home to be in good shape for the winter, it’s best to hire a professional roofing company to do the major work.
By letting the professionals take charge, you’ll not only save your back and make sure you’re safe, but you’ll also have peace of mind knowing that everything is checked and fixed properly. So, you can enjoy the winter and all the celebrations it brings without having to worry about how your roof is doing.
The Help You Need for Roof Maintenance
Take steps to protect your roof today, before the worst of winter hits. If you take care of the small problems now, they won’t grow into big problems down the road.
If you live near Wayne NJ or nearby and need help with your roof from a professional, contact us today. We’ll take care of everything, from installation to maintenance.
