HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ROOF IN THE WINTER – FAMILY ROOFING

Posted on by David Reid

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HOW TO PROTECT YOUR ROOF IN THE WINTER

The winter months can be hard on your home and preparing to protect it is an essential step if you want to avoid costly repairs or insurance claims.  Protecting your roof for winter will cost a little upfront, but it will save you lots of time and money in the long run.  So say no to emergency roof repairs and expensive insurance claims and yes to a little winterproofing.

INSPECT

Give your roof a thorough inspection in the fall.  Check for missing shingles and leaks.  If something is looking a little rough, consider repairing it before a problem arises.  It’s also a good time to see if you have any trees with branches growing too close to the roof, or other dangerous foliage that may need to be trimmed before winter.

WALK THROUGH

Your attic needs to be inspected before winter too.  Walk through your attic and make sure you can’t see any damage to the roof from the inside.  Sometimes you’ll find problems inside that you didn’t see outside.  Another task you need to tackle is making sure your attic is well ventilated in the winter months.  Check your roof vents and insulation and replace or fix them up as needed.  Vents and insulation keep your home safe and protect your roof from certain types of water or mositure-related damage.  This, in turn, protects your home too.

REMOVE ENCROACHING TREES

Nobody likes dealing with roof damages resulting from falling trees and that’s why it is recommended to remove low-hanging branches.  Snowstorms are well-known to put pressure on trees, and since there will be ice buildup, there is a chance of branches breaking and damaging your roof.  Branch removal can be done quickly.  If you feel the task is challenging, you can contact a professional. With help from experts, you can have peace of mind.

CLEAN THE ROOF REGULARLY

During winter, it’s never too late to remove debris from your roof.  All you need to do is get your ladder and remove the dirt from your roof.  First, you need to make sure it is safe before you clean your roof.  It would also be best if you remembered that it is not something you will do once and wait until it gets dirty.  To avoid further damage, it is recommended that you try as much as possible to clean it if you have time.  If you find the task challenging, you can get in touch with a roofing professional.  Roofing contractors will know how to clean without causing damages to your roof.

CHECK TO SEE IF YOUR ROOF IS VENTED PROPERLY

When checking the insulation on your roof, be sure to see if your roof is ventilated properly.  Your roof’s ventilation ensures that fresh air is always moving in and out from the roof’s eaves.  This allows your home’s insulation to work properly and for no cold or warm air to build up in one specific area.  If you’re unsure if your roof is ventilated and you don’t know how to check, reach out to your local roofing company.

PROTECT YOUR PIPES

Many homes have pipes built into the ceilings or attics of their homes.  It goes almost without saying that cold weather and water pipes should never mix. When the weather gets too cold, and the pipes aren’t protected from the cold, they can burst and lead to a home filled with water.  There are several ways that you can look out for your pipes:

  • Keep your heat on even when you aren’t home.

  • Make sure your home is insulated properly.

  • Leave your cabinet doors open.

  • Consider leaving the water running.

As a note, leaving the water running can be expensive and wasteful at times.  In some cases, there isn’t much of a choice but you should try to find another way of keeping your pipes protected.  Each of these ways will help to keep your pipes from freezing this winter.  But, instead of worrying about them all the time, contact a home inspector or remodel company to see if they can help you install the right insulation to keep the pipes from bursting.

REMOVE SNOW

Most people can agree that it’s impossible to remove all of the snow on the roof, but you can remove the snow close to your gutters.  This will help in reducing the strain on the gutters once the snow begins to melt.  Also, you will reduce the chance of roof damage. You can get a shovel or rake and remove the snow.

CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS REGULARLY

One objective of cleaning the gutters regularly is to avoid putting pressure on your gutter system.  Gutters and drainpipes are responsible for directing moisture away from your home’s foundation. Clogs could cause water to accumulate, placing pressure on the gutters while increasing the risk of roof damage.  Water will freeze, melt, then freeze again, creating problems for you.  If you reside in Colorado, it is recommended that you reach out to a professional.  Excess moisture may cause numerous issues within your home.  That’s why you need to keep your gutters clean all the time to reduce the risk of damage.

GET PROFESSIONAL HELP

If you have any issues with your roof, don’t hesitate to contact a reliable roofing contractor  for help.  Roof repair or replacement is a significant investment, and you need to make sure that you’ve done your research before working with an expert.  Your whole livelihood is probably being protected from weather elements by your roof.  The roof is, therefore, an important part of your home that you have to give much thought to.  During winter weather, you most importantly want your roof to be sturdy and not to succumb to the problems that come with the season. Use the tips discussed here to protect your roof during winter.

Has the roof inspected before winter storms start striking your area?  Remove snow from the roof to prevent excess accumulation of the same as it may interfere with the structural integrity of your roof. Prevent an ice dam from forming on your roof.  One of the ways to effectively do this is through proper ventilation and insulation of the attic.  Your roof protects you from the dangers of inclement weather, show it some love so it can continue to do its job properly!