Winter is often a season of dormancy for home improvement because let’s face it, working around the house is simply not attractive usually due to tough weather/elements. It’s the furthest thing from your mind, and that can be so dangerous, especially to your roof!
Roofs don’t get enough love as it is, and the winter is not very sympathetic as it will pull out all the stops! Be the one to counter that by being proactive. Today we are going to discuss protection tips for your roofs for winter. Let’s get it ready!
Why does prepping your roof during winter matter?
Prepping your roof for winter is essential despite it being overlooked frequently. During the winter, snow, strong winds, ice, and so forth are common elements we have, and over time they put tremendous pressure on the structural integrity of the roof.
Their weight, propensity to increase moisture on the roof and damage to roofing materials makes them tough to battle in an already tough seasonal setting. Therefore, making sure that your roof is in tip-top shape before winter rolls around will put your roof in the best possible position to make it through unscathed.
6 Winter Roof Protection Tips
1. Clean Gutters and Downspouts!
Gutters serve as your home’s drainage system, which means that they are working with a lot of water! Make sure to check the functionality of your gutters as well as cleanout any downspouts that are clogged with organic matter like leaves, etc.
Failing to do so before winter, will cause the remaining water to freeze, thus adding more weight, strain, and cracks to both gutters and downspouts. Easily preventable measure!
2. Check Roof Ventilation/Insulation of Roof
Proper ventilation and insulation of your roof help eliminate the propensity to build up moisture and can keep temperatures more efficiently regulated as a whole. That way you get to save more money in the long haul in a nice, warm house with better long-lasting, safeguards for the health and wellness of roof and roofing material.
Ventilation and insulation can end up hurting one another if not correctly installed and set up. Make sure layers of insulation are evenly distributed without blocking ventilators. Keep an eye out!
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3. Remove Over-extending Branches from Trees Around your House
Over-extending branches often lead to more debris that could get caught on your roof and clog your gutters, leading to a whole host of problems! During storms and other forms of inclement weather, trees have a higher propensity to fall and/or lose branches in the process, which can totally wipe out your roof if you’re not careful.
Trimming branches around your house will be a great way to prepare for months to come in winter as well as make it harder for pests to have an access point to your roof.
4. Check Condition of Roof Flashing
Roof flashing is a line of defense the roof has against leaks or anything of that nature. They are usually found at roof vertices and joints. They are especially vulnerable to cracking when exposed to freezing temperatures, so periodic inspections are highly recommended.
When compromised, it can lead to substantial water damage both on the exterior and interior of your home. Very difficult to solve and will require professional help if you are not proactive on this maintenance tip!
5. Check Condition of Roof Shingles
Roof shingles are one of the most delicate parts of your roof, nevertheless, they are the outermost layer of your roof exposed to the elements. Consequently, they do experience wear and tear and when it comes to winter weather, that process generally accelerates.
Inclement weather in the winter can often lead to shingles being broken, cracked, loose, and eroded, thus exposing deeper structural layers of your roof. This can also be attributed to the falling debris as discussed earlier and also sets the stage for the growth of mold, mildew due to moisture being trapped in between shingles.
Making repairs along the way is far better than making a huge, costly repair when all is said and done!
See More: What is Better Metal or Asphalt Shingles?
What’s the Verdict?
Winter is not the most friendly season for your roof, but I bet you most people don’t know that! It’s easy to overlook since it is out of sight and mind, but treating it like that doesn’t end pretty.
It is always a smart idea to be proactive about your roof’s health because it will save you tons of money, time, and peace of mind that you would otherwise have to spend on repairs after the fact. When winter rolls around, take note of these tips to prep your roof, and like always when it doubt, reach out to a licensed professional for help.
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