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WINTER ROOF MAINTENANCE
With winter almost here, many homeowners need to get their roof ready for winter. There are a number of strategies that you can utilize to make sure that your roof stays safe and is able to stand the wear and tear of a long and tough winter. It is during the winter months that most roofs sustain damage and, for that reason, in the months leading up to winter you should do everything that you can to prepare your roof ahead of time.
Inspect The Roof
The first thing that you need to do in order to prepare your roof for winter is to conduct a thorough inspection. Look for any damage that might be have been done since the last time you took a look. Take note of any damage that you see and also remember to check inside the home. Look for cracks, broken shingles, blistered shingles, cracked flashing and anything that could potentially lead to further damage. Wet spots on your ceiling can be indicative of small leaks in the roof. If the opportunity presents itself, check the rafters and the underside of the roof as well for any damage. If the damage is serious enough, you may need to think about getting your roof replaced. Consider a different roofing material other than the common asphalt shingles. Metal roofs are growing in popularity for their low maintenance, durability, and light weight.
Waterproofing
It also might be a good idea to consider waterproofing the roof before the heavy rains start to take their toll. There are several different areas of the roof that waterproofing can have a positive effect on. At the very least, many homeowners will waterproof over the top of their shingles. This can be done by using a roller to roll the compounds onto the top of the shingles. Many homeowners will also choose to waterproof under their shingles as well, but this can only be done when you are installing a new roof or repairing an old one.
Clean Gutters
Clogged gutters are one of the most common causes of roof damage. You should be cleaning your gutters out on a regular basis, but it is especially important that you give them a thorough cleaning before the winter season. Remove any leaves, pine needles, or any other foliage that may have fallen into them since you last had them cleaned. Try to keep them clean throughout the winter as well, as they can back up quickly, and cause damage to the roof before you have a good idea that anything is happening. Make sure that all gutters are fastened and all drains take the water away from the house.
Fix Caulking Problems
Proper caulking is also very important for the lasting health of your roof. Make sure to check all of the caulking throughout the roof, and fix any of the deficiencies that you come across during your inspection. Make sure that the caulking that you choose to fix these issues with is approved for use on roofs and with the materials that your roof is made from. Caulking can keep small amounts of water from running into cracks, and potentially damaging the roof and areas underneath it.
Fix, Replace and Check Flashings
Properly installed flashings are of huge importance to the ongoing health of your home. Flashings are metal strips that are used to seal and waterproof areas of the roof in which the plane is interrupted. Common examples of this would be alongside chimneys, skylights, and around pipes that protrude through the top of the roof.
Roof maintenance is an important chore for homeowners any time of the near, but is especially important leading up to the winter season, when roofs typically take the most damage. By taking the initiative to take care of your roof from the beginning, you can avoid expensive damage in the future.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
The first thing that you need to do in order to prepare your roof for winter is to conduct a thorough inspection. Look for any damage that might be have been done since the last time you took a look. Take note of any damage that you see and also remember to check inside the home. Look for cracks, broken shingles, blistered shingles, cracked flashing and anything that could potentially lead to further damage. Wet spots on your ceiling can be indicative of small leaks in the roof. If the opportunity presents itself, check the rafters and the underside of the roof as well for any damage. If the damage is serious enough, you may need to think about getting your roof replaced. Consider a different roofing material other than the common asphalt shingles. Metal roofs are growing in popularity for their low maintenance, durability, and light weight.
Properly installed flashings are of huge importance to the ongoing health of your home. Flashings are metal strips that are used to seal and waterproof areas of the roof in which the plane is interrupted. Common examples of this would be alongside chimneys, skylights, and around pipes that protrude through the top of the roof.