The winter months are just around the corner. Now is the time to get your roof ready for cold weather and all that comes with it. Proper maintenance can extend the longevity of your roof, and even safeguard it against some serious damage.
Before you start preparing your roof, remember that climbing on a roof can be dangerous. It’s best to hire roofing professionals who are trained to navigate roofs. They have the equipment and expertise to see a potential problem before it escalates into costly damage.
Get Your Roof Ready Now
By preparing your roof for winter, you will prevent the need for more extensive roof repairs in the future. You will have peace of mind knowing that you have done everything possible to prevent damage. These are a few basic maintenance steps that should be followed to get your roof ready for winter.
1. Clean the Roof
Cleaning your roof involves removing leaves, pine needles, dirt, and any other debris from your roof's surface to prevent moisture and rot. The roofing material will break down if left unattended, leading to unnecessary damage.
You can remove debris with a broom, soft brush, or blower. Applying too much pressure will remove roof granules which can reduce your roof's lifespan. Cleaning and treating algae, moss, or mold should be done by a professional. A trained professional knows how to prevent growth and further damage.
2. Roof Inspection
After your roof has been cleaned, a visual examination of the surface is needed. You want to look for missing, cracked, curled, or frayed shingles. If you see any damage, this would be the time to repair or replace shingles because when the snow and ice come, it can turn minor problems into major issues.
Also examine the flashing around the vents, chimneys, and skylights because this is where water can enter your home. You want to protect your roof by replacing any sealant that has become cracked or worn out.
Roof valleys also need to be inspected. These areas are prone to leaks. A great way to prevent any unfortunate event from occurring is to keep those valleys cleared of any debris accumulation. This will reduce the weight sitting in these areas and further help avert unnecessary wear and tear on your roof.
Again, a roofing professional should perform the roof inspection for you. Regular inspections should be performed before and after winter to ensure you don’t run into any surprises. A roof inspection will look for:
- Open or Loose Seams
- Cracked Caulking and Failed Sealants
- Gaps or Separations
- Cracked or Rusted Flashings
- Loose Roof Edge/ Perimeter
- Punctures in Membrane
3. Clean the Gutters
Cluttered gutters can prevent rainwater from properly flowing from your roof. This water will overflow and damage your roof, trim, and siding. Leaves, sticks, and other debris will collect in your gutters and downspouts and must be cleared out to allow the water to drain as designed.
Cleaning out your gutters will also prevent the weight of debris from causing the gutters to pull away from the anchors which secure them to the house. Consider installing screens or gutter guards to prevent leaves from collecting in your gutters.
4. Check the Attic
Your attic's insulation and ventilation are extremely important to the health and lifespan of your roof. Your energy bills are also impacted by having the right amount of insulation and ventilation in your attic.
Proper ventilation prevents the hot air from condensing, which causes moisture and mold from rotting your roof's supports. The correct amount of insulation will prevent the hot air from seeping into your living space, causing higher energy costs.
5. Verify Coverage
It’s important to remedy a roofing problem before it becomes a major issue. Water getting through your roofing system can cause considerable damage to your home from water damage, mold, and structural damage.
You don’t want to wait until you have a roofing issue to check your insurance policy. Make sure you are up to date and have adequate coverage. Learn the steps of filing a claim just in case you need it.
Review your current roofing system’s warranty. It’s important to know what your warranty covers and what it doesn’t cover. You also want to make sure that your roof is still under warranty and that you are taking the proper steps to keep it that way.
Protect Your Home and Family
If you need help preparing your roof for winter, Brian Dawson Roofing is your go-to roofing contractor. Our team is experienced in roof inspections, maintenance, repairs, and installation.