Cold weather in winter months can take a toll on your roof. There are things that you need to do with it to ensure that it doesn’t let you down during this time. They are easy things that you can do yourself.
By making sure that it is winter weather ready, you can be sure that you won’t have to pay more money later. There are safeguards that you can take to make sure that you won’t have expensive repairs later. These are things that you want to do before winter weather hits.
If you do have issues with your roof in the winter, or anytime for that matter, you can call a reliable professional to help you out. One such professional is Palmetto Roofers, who has many years of experience for you. You can rely on them to do a great job.
This article will give you some tips to take care of your roof during the winter months. It will help you to find out how to protect it during this time. You can also do more research to find the information that you are seeking.
Table of Contents
Taking Care of Your Roof
Make sure that snow does not accumulate on your roof. It might look pretty sitting there, but it can cause a lot of damage. It creates a lot of weight there that might cause it to sag. This could cause weak spots to fail, and you don’t want that to happen.
Snow also causes ice dams as it melts when weather warms up. As water freezes, it expands, and this can cause damage. It can get into cracks and crevices and expand them enough to cause it to fail.
You also need to make sure that you keep your gutters clean. Dirty gutters can cause buildup and cracks in your roof. No one likes to clean gutters, but it is a necessary chore that must be done before winter hits.
There are gutter shields that you can buy to protect them from filling with debris. These are not too expensive when you think of the money they can save for you. It might be something that you want to consider.
Perform Sight Checks
Before cold weather hits, you should perform sight checks to ensure that there is no damage. You will be looking for loose, damaged, or missing shingles and any other damage. If you find anything, you should fix it as soon as possible.
If there are shingles that are just loose, you may be able to repair those on your own. If you feel that you can’t do it on your own, call a professional. They can do the job for you, and they can do it quickly.
You should also keep all landscaping away from the top of your home. Trees and bushes can drop leaves and branches onto it, and this can damage it. It can also cause freezing issues that can cause issues as was mentioned before.
Clear Attic Vents
Ice can form in any area, and this includes attic vents that are supposed to keep your attic dry. Moisture here can cause damage to your home as well as your roof. Keep the vents clear so that you don’t need to worry about this issue.
Attic vents can also freeze when they are wet with moisture from your home. The ice that forms will cause even more damage. Again, keep your vents clear so that you don’t need to worry about this.
Repair Flashing
Flashing on your roof is a thin material that is usually made from galvanized steel: Professionals use this to direct water away from critical areas that include places where the plane meets a vertical surface such as a dormer or wall. It is also installed around the chimney, vents, and skylights.
This flashing may loosen or warp over time, causing moisture to get into your home. At the first sign of this happening, it must be repaired. This will prevent damage to your home and roof.
Animal Signs
You should also look for evidence that there have been animals on your roof.They can make holes in it to get inside and away from the cold. Make sure that there are no animals in your attic, because they will be sealed in when you make repairs.
If you find evidence of animals, you might need to call an exterminator to remove them. They can damage your home if allowed to stay. There are some exterminators that can remove animals alive and in a safe manner.
Homeowner’s Insurance Policy
You should also review your homeowner’s insurance policy to see what is covered and what is not. You should document all repairs and maintenance that you have done before winter so that you can show it to your insurance agent. This way, they know that the damage is new and has not been sitting there for awhile.
Most policies will cover damage from winter weather, but you want to have a paper trail just in case they question some of the damage. If you have maintained your roof the way it should be, they are more likely to pay for damages that occur in the winter. Just be sure that you keep good records, and you should be okay.
Insulation
You also need to make sure that you have adequate insulation in your attic. This can prevent your roof from warping due to temperature changes in the cold weather. This temperature fluctuation can come from inside your home or outside of it.
Professional Inspection
Before cold weather sets in, you should call a professional to do an inspection. A professional knows where to look for weak spots and can help you to make sure that your roof is good for the coming cold months. They can also make any repairs that are necessary.
Conclusion
There are many things that you need to do to make sure your roof is ready for cold weather. You need to inspect it on your own or have a professional inspect it for you. You also need to make sure that your homeowner’s insurance policy is up to date in case of any damage.
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