No matter where you live, winterizing your roof can make all the difference in the protection of your home. When strong winds and ice-cold weather arrive, your roof is the first line of defense against the elements. A compromised roof will crumble under the forces of winter weather. This can cost thousands of dollars in roof repairs, along with the risk of injury to your family members. To avoid this type of catastrophe, we recommend winterizing your roof in preparation.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to winterize a roof with five easy steps. This process ensures that your roof is in prime condition, free of damage, and ready to face strong weather. Winterizing your roof is a smart way to prepare ahead of time, especially since there are times when severe storms hit without warning. Winterizing your roof can save you money, damage, and injury, pushing you ahead of the risks that come with faulty roofing.
5 Steps to Winterize Your Roof
1. Inspect Your Roof
You may have roofing damage that you aren’t aware of. When approaching winter, this underlying damage can be detrimental. Take some time to thoroughly inspect your roof, looking at the following:
- Flashing: Flashing directs water away from important roofing areas. Over time, flashing can be lost or damaged.
- Caulking: Caulking prevents bugs and water from entering through the roof. Like flashing, it may become damaged or lost over time.
- Downspouts: Melting snow needs a place to drain, which is what downspouts are for. Over time, they can become clogged with dirt, which also leads to mold and rust. It’s important that they be cleaned out to prepare for proper drainage.
- External Damage: Take a look at your roof for signs of missing or damaged shingles, for stains or weak spots, and for pest damage.
- Internal Damage: Go inside your attic to look for any water stains. If you have a rook leak, it may be hard to catch. Roof leaks can pass unnoticed for long periods of time but can wreak havoc on your roof’s internal structure.
2. Check the Gutters
Clean gutters are essential to a functional roofing system. For water and debris to drain, gutters need to be cleared of dirt and leaves. Flush your gutters with water or hire a professional to clean them out.
3. Trim Low Hanging Tree Branches
Check for tree branches that hang low over your roof. They could be at risk of falling on your roof during powerful storms. Even small branches can cause damage when hitting your roof, even stripping off roof shingles. Heavy snow can also cause branches to become weighed down and fall onto the roof. If you have any low-hanging tree branches, go ahead and trim them, so you can be sure you won’t have any branches damaging the roof.
4. Insulate Your Attic
Proper insulation in your attic will seal the room from heat loss and icicle formation. If your attic is insulated, you will have extra protection. Contact our team at Perimeter Roofing if you decide you’d like an insulated attic!
5. Get a Professional Roof Inspection
One of the best ways to winterize your roof is to get a professional inspection. Trained eyes may find roofing damage that you may not be able to see. During a professional inspection, technicians will thoroughly check for internal and external damage. They can also clean gutters, trim branches, and insulate your attic.
Winterize Your Roof Today!
Now that we are approaching the winter months, it’s time to consider winterizing your roof. It’s well worth the time and effort, given that your roof is so crucial to the structural integrity of your house. Now that you know how to winterize your roof, what are you waiting for? Get started today! If you need help, our team at Perimeter Roofing is always available. We offer roofing services in many locations including Georgia: Gainesville, Alpharetta, Lawrenceville, Athens, and Columbus, Tennessee: Nashville, Florida: Orlando, and Alabama: Auburn. Give us a call or make an appointment online today!