As the year is moving into winter, more and more people are trying to get their house ready for the colder temperatures. This may consist of wrapping pipes, as well as getting any last-minute repairs in before it's too late.
But while you're busy thinking about your home's plumbing and HVAC systems, you should also strongly consider what to do to get your roof prepared for winter as well. Your home's roofing can stand up to a lot of abuse, and while it may last a few decades or more, there still several steps you need to take get your home ready for winter.
Remove Debris
A quick visual inspection of your home should reveal any kind of debris that may be sitting on your roof. Leaves and even dirt that can find its way onto your roof needs to be cleared before it sits on your roof, possibly collecting water, bacteria, and eventually mold. Moreover, you should prune any trees that are also nearby to ensure that they don't snap and act as missiles to your homes roof. The last thing that you want is a heavy tree limb that is resting on your roofing for the next few months, constantly weakening the substructure in the process.
Clean Your Gutters
Every home needs to have some form of gutters installed to protect your home's foundation from premature decay and deterioration. Unfortunately, those gutters are also magnets for any kind of leaves and debris that can collect, which can cause a clog if not removed regularly. The ice and snow that will eventually form on your roof will melt and then go down your gutters, and if there's a clog, it can create standing water on your roof that will slowly eat away at your shingles and substructures.
Replace Broken Shingles
Water leaks are a pain for any homeowner to deal with, but if you have cracked or warped shingles, those need to be replaced before the cold winter months hit. If not, they can allow water to pass into your home, which can then get into your attic or walls and freeze. When the temperatures warm back up, that water will then expand and can possibly cause cracks inside your sheetrock or in the beams in your attic. If you notice any shingles that are broken, contact a roofing company to have them replaced as soon as possible.
Replace Insulation
Though it may be hard to determine that your insulation in your roof is weakening, every homeowner should have a yearly inspection performed on their home's roof that will also indicate how well the insulation is holding up. If it's gone down over the years, schedule more insulation to be added, which will keep your home warmer during these cold winter months.
For more information, reach out to a local roofing company.
Roof problems can go from minor to really scary in no time at all. One day you have a little leak, and the next you're left with major water damage in your attic. But it does not have to be this way. Well-informed homeowners know how to recognize roof leaks, and they know the importance of regular maintenance for roof longevity.
How do you become one of those well-informed homeowners? By visiting our website, of course! Here, we have articles about common roofing problems, hiring a roofer, choosing a good roof, and even DIY repairs. Every home has a roof, and every homeowner should know the basics about roofing.