When winterizing your home this year, start at the top and make sure your roof can withstand the harsh elements. You’ll keep your household safe, increase energy efficiency, and prolong the life of your roof. Use this guide to ensure you have a healthy roof overhead this winter.
Clean and Inspect Your Roof
Begin your winter roof maintenance with a thorough cleaning. Accumulated debris like leaves and twigs provides a home for pests and organic growth. It can also end up in your gutters, leading to a blockage and water ponding. Sweep it with a stiff broom or leaf blower and hose it down.
Moss and mold may grow in damp climates. Remove the organic growth with a gentle brushing or cleaning solution and follow with a preventative treatment.
After cleaning, check for missing, cracked, or loose shingles. If you’re concerned about safety, now is the time for a roof inspection by a certified professional. They will inspect your roof and do the necessary repairs your roof needs.
Check for Roof Leaks
Periodically checking your home for leaks is important year-round and is especially crucial before winter’s arrival. Water stains on ceilings or walls, damp spots in the attic, and peeling paint are signs of leaks. If ignored, they will only grow larger as accumulated ice and snow melt.
Common areas to check for the sources of leaks include missing and loose shingles, loose or damaged flashing, and around skylights and chimneys. Look for gaps and cracks and repair or replace damaged seals.
Clean Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters and downspouts are critical for directing excess water away from the roof and foundation. If water becomes trapped in the gutters, it can freeze and lead to ice dams and prevent the proper drainage of melting snow and ice. If water gets trapped underneath shingles, leaks become likely. Plus the added weight of the ice can pull gutters loose and damage fascia boards.
Remove Overhanging Tree Branches
Trees close to your home are the source of branches that overhang the roof. Ice and snow will weigh the branches down and potentially break them off. Falling branches can damage your roof by puncturing holes that lead to leaks. The branches also provide animals access to your roof where they can chew holes to enter your attic.
The shade from branches traps moisture and reduces the lifespan of your roof. Trees are also the source of more leaves and pine needles that will clog your gutters.
For your safety, it’s best to hire a professional arborist to trim back tree branches.
Adequate Insulation and Ventilation
Insulation does more than keep your home warmer in winter and make it more energy efficient. Insufficient insulation causes warm air to rise to the attic and results in the uneven melting of snow on the roof. The backed-up water will seep under shingles and refreeze to form ice dams. Solve the problem by adding more insulation in your attic.
Good ventilation in your attic works together with insulation for a healthier roof. Cold air flowing through helps keep a consistent temperature on the roof’s surface to prevent damaging thawing and freezing cycles. The solution is to promote airflow with intake and exhaust vents.
