With winter around the corner, preparing your roof for these snowy and cold months is important, especially if you want to protect your home from damage. Therefore, you should implement preventive measures in advance to reduce maintenance costs during/after the winter season. This will give you ample time to enjoy the holiday season and the snow without worries and disruptions. Here are the top 7 tips on how to prepare your roof for 2021-2022 Indiana Winter.
Inspect and Clean Your Gutters
Gutters play an important role in your roof and are therefore integral when preparing the roof for winter. When debris accumulates and clogs your gutter, you are likely to experience a wide range of problems, especially during winter. This is because gutters drain rainwater and melted snow away from your roof. When gutters can no longer perform this function, you will face many problems such as possible roof damage. Therefore, you should make sure your gutters are clean and ready for winter by cleaning them.
Get Rid of Debris
Thoroughly inspect your roof’s surface. If it has any lingering debris, it can easily hold moisture from winter precipitation. This is risky because wet debris can mold and cause rotting, something that could break down your roof. If you are in a position to climb to your roof and get rid of the debris, then do so. Sweep all the debris off and leave the roof surface as clean as possible. While you can get the job done by yourself, it is recommended that you hire a roofing company for the best results. These professionals are well trained and have the necessary skills and equipment to ensure your roof is in perfect shape.
Trim Nearby Trees
When you have tall trees with well-spread branches hanging over your house, you increase the accumulation of debris in your gutters and roof. This means that you will still be faced with leaves falling into the gutters even after cleaning them. Handling such a situation can be tiring, especially in the winter months. Therefore, the best way to avoid the additional work and gutters getting clogged by leaves is by trimming the trees around your home.
Apart from clogging your gutters, long and heavy trees pose a great danger during storms. Some of the dangers associated with tall trees include;
- Leaning over the house and crashing into it
- Increases the risk of lightning
Therefore, make sure you cut or trim any hazardous trees next to your property.
Ventilate and Insulate the Attic
If you hire the services of professional roof cleaners to work on your roof and gutters, you should have them assess your attic for possible ice damming. If faulty, you should provide proper insulation to seal in the heat and clear the ventilation ducts to let cold air in. When this system is not working effectively, the chances of ice damming are high. This happens due to warm air leaking out and melting the ice on your roof.
Check Your Roof Flashing
One of the key components of your roof that helps prevent leaking is flashing. When there is a problem with your roof’s flashing, you will likely experience serious water damage. Generally, flashing is made of tough material like galvanized metal or aluminum. This helps enhance the protective mechanism that is key in directing water off your roof. As a result, it prevents water from penetrating into your home.
Examine Roof Shingles
Like roof flashing, shingles can also sustain damage as time progresses. They are likely to wear down if your roof is old. Having missing or loose shingles can significantly worsen your roof problems, making it hard to sustain the winter climate. One way of knowing your shingles are loose or faulty is when their granules come off. In that case, seek professional help immediately.
Purchase a Roof Rake
Winter is a cold season with lots of snow; therefore, you should be prepared for snow buildup. Purchasing a roof rake is one way you can do so. A steady roof rake or a long push broom will come in handy during this season. According to the Insurance Institute for Home Safety, the maximum level of snow an average roof can handle is 4 feet high from the roof surface. Therefore, you should use your roof rake to remove the snow once the levels start getting high.
Prepare Your Roof for the Winter
Winter is around the corner, and you should be prepared for the snowy and cold months. Getting your roof ready for this season is vital for your property’s safety and that of your family. Also, you will get to reduce the stress and cost associated with having to change your roof during the cold winter season.