5 Essential Tips for Preparing Your Roof for Winter

With the winter season only a few weeks away, you should make sure that your home is ready for another season change. Come wintertime, your roofing system will receive the brunt of the weather to protect your home from rain and snow. You must not ignore the importance of attic cleaning. As such, it is necessary to make sure that your roof is prepared to do its job. Unsure how you should do it? Here are some tips to help you:

1. Check and Clean Your Gutters

Gutters are critical components of your roofing system as they are the ones that drain the water from the roof and away from home. Before winter comes, you should carefully check them and see if they have any clogs. Remove any debris that can clog the proper drainage of water. Remember, when you have blocked drains, water can accumulate and damage your home’s exterior walls. When allowed to persist, it can also cause problems on your foundation’s structural stability. 

2. Trim the Trees Surrounding Your House

If you have tall trees hovering over your house, it can cause debris to accumulate on your roof and gutters. Even though you regularly clean your gutters, it won’t make much of a difference because there is a constant source of clogging. If you want to reduce the likelihood of having clogged drains when winter comes, you should trim your trees. Large tree limbs can also become a hazard should there be storms and rain. Dead tree branches can fall on your roof and cause significant damage. Trimming your trees can also help ensure that your home won’t attract pets that can cause further problems. 

3. Examine Your Roof Flashing

Roof flashings are critical in ensuring that your roof does not have leaks. If these components are damaged, you can expect water to seep into your home and cause significant damage. Flashing is often made of galvanized metal that helps direct the water away from the roof’s seams. You can commonly find them in your roof’s intersections. Since it is typically made of metal, it is prone to tears and corrosion that can significantly affect its stability. Over time, these flashings can be torn apart by strong winds. If your roof flashing is seriously damaged, water can seep in your roof and cause damage to the interiors of your home. Examine them and see whether they need to be replaced. 

4. Inspect Your Shingles

Shingles can suffer from wear and tear due to constant exposure to extremes of weather. Go to your roof and see whether you have any missing shingles or broken ones that you need to repair. If you see an area of damage, it is best to call on experts like City Seamless Roofing. They are well-versed in detecting roof problems to be sure whether you need a simple or extensive repair. Your roof should be an investment that you should not ignore. Any damage to your roof can cause leaks to your internal roofing system. It can seep into your home, damage your walls, and even affect your electricals. 

5. Install Insulation

While inspecting your roof, it is also advisable to go over your attic and install insulation if you haven’t yet. Remember, your attic is significant in ice dam formation, leading to water damage and waste of energy. The lack of insulation can cause heat to dissipate from your home, increasing your heating requirements easily. 

Do these preparations now to make sure that your roofing system is prepared to take on heavy snows and rain during the winter. Don’t hesitate to ask for a professional’s help if you really want to have cost-effective roofing repairs.

Thank you,

Glenda, Charlie and David Cates