One of the most common challenges during winter is maintaining your roof, primarily due to cold temperatures outside. Nevertheless, don’t fail to care for your roof during winter because roofs tend to damage more during the cold-weather months. To help you prevent costly roof damage, here are five winter maintenance tips.
1. Remove Excess Snow
During winter, the first thing you can do to maintain your roof is to remove excess snow on your roof. More than one foot of snow can damage your roof and increase its likelihood of collapsing. Removing snow from your roof will reduce excess weight and help clear the gutters and drains to improve drainage. Call a roofing contractor to remove excess snow from your roof.
1. Remove Excess Snow
During winter, the first thing you can do to maintain your roof is to remove excess snow on your roof. More than one foot of snow can damage your roof and increase its likelihood of collapsing. Removing snow from your roof will reduce excess weight and help clear the gutters and drains to improve drainage. Call a roofing contractor to remove excess snow from your roof.
2. Conduct Regular Inspection
Winter is not the time to forget doing routine inspection of your roof. Check for any loose or damaged roofing materials or parts. Also, check the seals for any cracks. Better still, you can hire a roofing contractor to inspect your roof. Experts can quickly identify issues with your roof. Repair any minor cracks to prevent extensive damage. This will save you a lot of time and money.
3. Repair Flashing and Shingles
Inspect your current roof flashing when winter starts. Flashings tend to become loose or warped over time. Faulty flashing can allow snow and precipitation to enter your roof. Too much moisture can cause leaks in your home. Repair or fix your flashing to restore its integrity. You can do the same for shingles. According to Statista, about 90% of all asphalt roofs sold in the U.S. are fiberglass shingles. Replace chipped or peeled shingles to prevent moisture from accumulating and leaking into your home.
4. Clear Debris Off
Clear all debris on your roof before winter starts. All roof parts, including the gutter, flashing, and downspouts, should have no debris. As winter starts, snow particles won’t find any debris to stick on.
5. Trim Trees and Other Plants Around Your Roof
It would be best if you trimmed all the overhanging tree branches and plants growing close to your house before and during winter. Branches and trees could break and cause damage to your roof as more snow weighs down on them.
Your roof should be able to withstand the winter season to ensure your home is comfortable at all times. Contact a roofing contractor if you need any help with your roof maintenance during winter.
