A winter climate can inflict a lot of damage on your roof. A little TLC is all it takes to prevent costly repairs and early replacements.
It won’t be long until the temperature starts to dip and you decide to spend most of your time indoors. But is your roof ready to battle the cold winter months? Today, we’ll walk you through the best ways to care for your roof during the final season of the year.
How to Care for Your Roofing in the Winter
Keeping your roof in pristine condition is an ongoing responsibility, but it’s especially important during the winter. Between snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, you’ll often have your hands full keeping your roof in an optimal working condition. But even though it absorbs the biggest blow during this season, there’s no excuse to neglect maintenance.
You must take enough time to safeguard your roofing system properly and these are the seven best ways to do that:
Remove All Snow
Snow on a rooftop may look pretty in a picture, but in reality, it’s a scary sight. If enough snow builds up on your roof, it encourages the risk of ice damming, which is snow that gets stuck frozen on your roof surface over time. This dangerous form of re-freezing can block gutters, leaving more room for runoff precipitation to create leaks and loose shingles. Keep your roof as dry as possible and remove any ice and snow as quickly as you can.
Patch up Roof Leaks and Flashing
A roof flash is a thick layer of sealant used to keep water out of your building. Its essential purpose is to protect against leaks. Winter precipitation can create vulnerability on this durable surface protection, though. And when improper flashing is installed on your roof, you create room for excess moisture to build up, which is a primary source for interior leaks. Before the snow falls, make sure to replace any chipped flashing or shingles that have peeled.
Inspect the Gutters
A frozen gutter can harm your roof, but, unfortunately, this is one area where ice accumulates most. Check your gutters regularly to remove any ice buildup. Damming ice weakens your gutter’s ability to move precipitation. Getting rid of ice dams is key to keeping your gutters in proper working order.
Fix Any Wind Damage
Never discount the power of the wind. While snow and ice are a major concern, the wind can be just as or even more dangerous. Inspect your roof for signs of wind damage, and follow up with a repair on any spots that may have become compromised. Keep an eye out for missing, broken, or damaged shingles.
Maintain Proper Ventilation in the Attic
It’s easy to overlook the attic until it stops serving a purpose. What many people don’t realize is that your attic helps create healthy indoor airflow and that carries over in a productive way for your roof. Keep airflow consistent and make sure your attic has solid routes for ventilation. Not having proper ventilation from your attic can expose your roof to harsher winter elements, which can lead to ice damming.
Clean off the Rest of the Debris
Before winter sets in, make sure the surface of your roof is free of debris. Remove any pine needles, leaves, grime, and other notable substances that build up. If these components stick around on your roof for too long, they can become water-logged when hit by precipitation. This leads to rotting and leaks, which can create myriad indoor issues. Use a broom to clear off as much as possible.
Perform a Professional Inspection
You can do plenty of maintenance on your own, but it’s always comforting to have a professional in your corner. Contact your roofing contractor and set up a preventive maintenance schedule before each seasonal change. This allows you to enjoy the winter festivities without having to stress about conditioning your roof.
Rainville-Carlson—Commercial Roofing Done Right
At Rainville-Carlson, we tackle the small issues before they snowball into major catastrophes. We are problem solvers who work tirelessly to leverage the best results from your roofing system. Whether we’re fixing roof leaks in winter or installing a brand-new surface, you can count on us for exceptional services at a price that won’t break your budget.