Seven Ways To Winterize Your Roof This Snowy Season

Red House in Winter

Photo: House in WinterWinter is a charming season, delivering blankets of snow and holiday treats.  Remembering to winterize your roof will help ensure colder temperatures are free of unnecessary headaches and unplanned repair bills.

To help you prepare your residential roofing for the cold months ahead, we’ve put together this 7-step guide that’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from A to Z.

1. Clean The Debris

Cleaning your gutters and downspouts is essential to your winter roof maintenance. You should ensure that everything drains properly to keep water from pooling on your roof and in your gutters and spouts. Freezing water expands, leading to cracks in your equipment or foundation.

2. Remove Any Overhanging Trees

Ice and snow can add a heavy load to branches, causing them to bend or snap. If they happen to fall onto your roof, they could cause costly damages or serious injuries, so be sure to trim back or remove any nearby trees.

3. Repair Existing Damages

Be sure to repair any loose or missing shingles before the winter weather sets in. Even minor damages can leave space for water to seep in, which when frozen will expand and add further harm to your roof. These minor damages can lead to leaking and eventually very expensive repairs.

4. Inspect Your Attic

It is important to ensure that your roof is properly insulated and ventilated before winter begins. Proper insulation will not only keep your home warm during the icy weather but will help prevent ice dams from forming on and around your roof. In addition, proper ventilation will reduce the chance of the formation of mold, mildew, and rust.

5. Check For Leaks

This step starts inside your home. Inspect your ceilings for stains that may indicate leaks from your roof. It is important to repair these before water begins to freeze, increasing the existing damages.

6. Have Your Chimney Inspected

While this may not seem important, it may be one of the most paramount decisions you will make every winter. Before you begin to burn wood in your fireplace, have your chimney inspected to ensure that there are no cracks or blockages. This can prevent fires, saving your roof, your home, and your family’s life.

7. Check For Critters

Rodents and bugs are likely to burrow into your roof to avoid the frigid weather. However, these little nests can cause big trouble, turning into expensive holes in your shingles and your roof’s foundation. Therefore, it is important to call an exterminator to have any unwelcomed guests removed.

Winterizing your roof is important for your home, as well as your family’s safety and overall well-being. The professionals at All Craftsmen Exteriors LLC can perform inspections and repairs as well as help with the general upkeep associated with proper roof maintenance. Be sure to schedule your roof inspection today, before your home becomes a wintry wonderland tomorrow.