Protect Your Roof: Key Steps for Winter Weather Preparation

Your roof is designed to endure a lot, but it still needs a little attention before the winter season begins. The following steps are a great way to prepare your roof for the upcoming storms, cold temperatures, and wind. By spending some time now, you’ll lower the risk of damage and leaks, which will save you money and keep your roof looking beautiful.

Clean the gutters

It may not seem like your gutters affect the condition of your roof, but cleaning them before winter strikes prevents ice dams. If you skip having your gutters cleaned, debris builds up and keeps the water from flowing through. This leads to standing water that freezes when the temperature drops. Water expands as it freezes, which means that ice can work its way up into the shingles, where it’ll cause damage and crack your gutters.

Check your roof ventilation

Your roof needs proper ventilation to prevent mold growth and to provide the roof with a consistent temperature. That even temperature throughout the roof helps eliminate ice buildup. It also helps with your home’s energy efficiency. Have a professional roofer take a look at your ventilation to ensure it’s sufficient. You can find a local roofing company by visiting AskHomey.com.

Secure your Christmas decorations

Decorating your home for Christmas is exciting and fun, but you need to be careful when it comes to securing that decor to your roof. Avoid using staples, screws, and glue. Instead, look for alternatives that won't cause damage to your roofing material. You’ll find that there are many types of hooks and clips available that are specifically created to safely attach lights and other decorations to your roof.

Trim low tree branches

If you have a tree close to your home, you need to have the low-hanging branches trimmed so that they don't rest on your roof. When the wind blows, these branches can rub back and forth across your roof. This causes your shingles to lose granules. As a result, the shingles are less effective. Those branches can also cause algae growth, which makes your roof age faster.

Inspect your roof

You don't have to climb up to your roof for a quick inspection. Leave that to the professionals. Instead, take a look at it from the ground. You’ll be able to see obvious problems like granule loss, sagging, missing shingles, and visible flashing. These issues can lead to leaks and structural damage. If you spot any problems, have them repaired by a roofing company before the winter season begins.

All of these steps are easy to do, and they can go a long way in preventing roof damage. For more tips on how to care for your roof, follow us on Facebook or Instagram.