Table of contents
- 9 Things to Do for Your Roof Maintenance Before Winter
- 1. Examine Your Roof for Loose or Missing Shingles
- 2. Keep Your Gutters Clean and Clear
- 3. Inspect the Flashings Around Your Roof Penetrations
- 4. Inspect Roof Valleys
- 5. Examine Your Attic Ventilation
- 6. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
- 7. Check the Chimney
- 8. Check Inside Your Home for Leaks
- 9. Hire a Professional for a Thorough Roof Inspection
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
As winter draws close, preparing your roof and home by extension for the cold and snowy days is essential. That period is usually the toughest your roof will deal with. Without proper roof maintenance for the winter, your roof might not survive the freezing temperatures, snow, and ice, leaving you with a damaged roof.
In this article, we’ve curated a checklist for your roof maintenance before winter. Knowing these things will help you understand what to look out for and do so that when winter comes, it will meet it in good shape.
9 Things to Do for Your Roof Maintenance Before Winter
1. Examine Your Roof for Loose or Missing Shingles
The first line of defense for every roof against the elements is your roof shingles. So, it is vital to check that they aren’t loose, damaged, or missing, or your house will suffer greatly. Heavy snow and intense winds can shift weak shingles, exposing your roof or home to leaks and water damage.
So, how do you know if any shingle needs fixing or replacement? You can go around your home to inspect your roof indications of damage visually. Look out for cracked, curled, and missing shingles. If you notice any of these or any major damage to your shingles, it’s best to invite a professional roofing contractor to get the job done.
2. Keep Your Gutters Clean and Clear
A clogged gutter is never good news for any roof. It causes water to pool, leading to ice dams and leaks in winter temperatures. Leaves, dirt, or debris are some things that could lead to your gutters clogging, and you can prevent this by cleaning your gutters.
To avoid this whole situation, especially during the winter, ensure you do the following for your roof maintenance:
- Remove twigs, leaves, rocks, and debris in your downspouts and gutters.
- Examine your gutters to ensure they are appropriately attached to your roof and not in any state that will lead to pooling.
- Ensure there is a free flow of water through the downspouts, sending it away from your home.
3. Inspect the Flashings Around Your Roof Penetrations
A roof flashing is a thin metal material that roofers use to channel water away from critical points on the roof. It is commonly made of galvanized steel and is installed around roof components like chimneys, skylights, and vents. If your roof flashing gets damaged, water can easily gain access to your building.
Before winter, examine your roof flashing for rust, cracks, or signs of it separating from the roof. Also, pay close attention to roof parts that join the wall, dormer, or chimney. If you detect signs of deterioration or damage, quickly fix or replace it.
4. Inspect Roof Valleys
A roof valley is formed when two roof parts collide at a slope to create an inner angle. The primary function of roof valleys is to aid the easy flow of water down your roof. They are susceptible to leaks, and rain and snow naturally gather at the points where two slopes meet. In scenarios where the roof valleys aren’t in good shape, leaks can occur, leading to water damage.
It is vital to examine roof valleys for signs of residue buildup, wear, or damage. Also, check for loose flashing or missing or damaged shingles in areas around the roof valley. Finally, if you find residues or leaves that might obstruct the valley, remove them.
5. Examine Your Attic Ventilation
When your attic is adequately ventilated, you won’t have to deal with ice dams developing on your roof during winter. Ice dams form when snow comes in contact with your roof, heated by the heat from your attic. The snow melts and freezes again at the roof’s edge, causing water to get beneath your roof shingles.
A poorly ventilated attic will cause a buildup of moisture and mold. Hence, taking this roof maintenance step before winter is necessary. Make sure your roof has adequate ventilation by letting out hot air with cool air coming in. In addition, check your attic vents to ensure leaves or anything else aren’t blocking them.
6. Trim Overhanging Tree Branches
Having tree branches hang over your roof is not advisable, as things could go south during a storm or high wind. They can scratch your shingles, shed leaves that accumulate and clog your gutters, or break off and drop on your roof.
Additionally, snow accumulation on branches can put pressure on them and make them snap, falling on your roof. Now, you don’t want any of that happening. So, it is essential that you trim overhanging tree branches around your roof. Look out for weak branches that may fall off during a storm in winter and cut it off. If you can, avoid having trees very close to your building.
7. Check the Chimney
If your home has a chimney, you should examine it to ensure it is in perfect condition before winter arrives. If your chimney has any problems, including loose mortar, damaged flashing, and cracked bricks, it can cause leaks or your fireplace to function poorly.
So, before the arrival of winter, examine your chimney for missing or damaged bricks, flashing, and mortar. If you find any issues, fix them as soon as possible to avoid leaks or a non-functional fireplace. Make sure the chimney cap is tight to prevent entry of pests or dirt.
8. Check Inside Your Home for Leaks
Your home may look perfect from the exterior, but you can only be sure after a close inspection. There may be leaks that you aren’t aware of because you haven’t been paying attention. So, before winter, ensure that you inspect inside your home, specifically your ceiling or attic, for leaks. If you do not detect them early, they will cause consequential damage to your roof or home.
Things to look out for that may be signs of a leak are:
- Damp spots, mold or mildew growth, or water stains on your ceiling or attic.
- Light seeping through your roof. It is an indication of a gap or hole in your roof.
If you detect any signs when performing this roof maintenance routine, don’t hesitate to fix them to prevent more deterioration in winter.
9. Hire a Professional for a Thorough Roof Inspection
Inspecting your roof and home is good and necessary. However, having a professional do a thorough assessment is better. They will spot and identify problems that may easily evade your eyes. Roofing contractors have the training and experience to notice subtle indicators of deterioration and damage. Additionally, they know the necessary solutions and can quickly fix whatever problem your roof has.
So, hire a certified roofing contractor to inspect your home for more assurance of a thorough inspection and roof maintenance for the winter. If there are any issues, take their advice and get them fixed without further delay to make your roof ready for the winter. Addressing roof issues timely will save you money from costly repairs, keep your property safe, and extend your roof’s lifespan.
Conclusion
Now that you have come to the end of this article, do you feel ready to conquer winter? We bet you are. But let’s remind you quickly: getting your roof ready for winter isn’t only about avoiding or eliminating leaks. Yes, it’s also about keeping your home secure, extending your roof’s lifespan, and saving costs on utility bills.
With this detailed roof maintenance checklist we’ve created for you for the winter, detecting and fixing budding problems in your roof would be a breeze, provided that you follow it. If you don’t feel confident enough to handle the situation on your own, contact an expert roofing contractor to do the job. Doing this will not just leave you more assured that your roof can handle whatever the winter season throws at it; it will also save you time.
Good luck with getting your home ready for a cozy winter experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop my roof from losing heat?
One of the most effective ways of preventing heat loss in your home is insulation. Insulating your roof will reduce the amount of heat your home loses and help you lower your energy costs.
How do I ventilate my roof?
There are several ways to ventilate your roof. However, we generally recommend ridge vents for exhaust and soffit vents for intake. But if your house happens to be one of those that can’t use ridge and soffit vents, box and fascia vents, respectively, are great alternatives.
What happens if my roof is not ventilated?
A lot of wrongs could happen when your roof lacks adequate ventilation. It leads to a moisture buildup, which could cause severe damage to your ceiling or roof. It can also lead to rot and the growth of mold and mildew. Aside from damage to your roof and home, it can expose you and the occupants of your home to health hazards.