Is Your Roof Prepared for the Winter Weather?

Jan 23,2017

Heavy rain, hail, and snow are all severe climate conditions that may soon occur during the coming winter months. Before any winter storm hits, it’s vital to prepare your roof for any risk of possible winter weather damage. Here are a couple of easy maintenance tasks you'll be able to do all on your own to stop leaks, debris, and other such inconveniences from bogging you down throughout the winter season.

Step 1: Check leaks, flashing and vents

How does one determine if you've got a leak in your roof? Water spots on your ceiling and walls are a quick indication that there’s a problem. The most common leak-prone areas to check are where water can easily find its way within your home. Missing shingles, loose vents and poorly sealed flashing are some of the common potential problems, so it’s advisable that you investigate these areas of your roof first.

Step 2: Fix leaks fast

Even small leaks will cause very serious issues if not taken care of, thus if you don’t want mould or damaged insulation in your home, act on the warning signs as soon as possible. It’s not too difficult for most people to perform some easy shingle and flashing replacements yourself, however it’s vital to keep in mind that you must avoid anything you're not sure about and you should never place yourself at risk just to save a few bucks. If conditions aren’t ideal or you don’t have a full grasp of the situation at hand, it’s advisable to hire a professional roofing contractor.

Step 3: Clean your gutters and downspouts

The first significant winds and rains tend to rustle remaining leaves and tree scrap loose, whereupon they may find their way onto your roof and then get lodged in your gutters. Clogged gutters and downspouts are disasters waiting to happen, thus take care to provide all that rain with a secure and unhindered place to travel – ideally 3 or more feet away from your home’s foundation.

Step 4: Schedule an expert review

Let’s face it, there are a lot of things you'll be able to do to prepare your roof from the weather, but some things you may not be able to yourself. For example, if a haul arises that you just can’t effectively fix yourself, save time and headaches by simply calling a professional roofer. Trained eyes will typically spot issues a lot more easily, and these issues can be easily dealt with on the spot. It’s straightforward and worthwhile to seek out somebody you'll be able to trust that’s also verified by others.