Keeping your roof in great shape is vital, but the winter season can be especially rough on your roof. What steps can you take to protect your roof in the winter to avoid complications? Read on to get information about safeguarding your roof. There are many steps you can take to protect your investment in the roof and it’s wise to ensure you’re doing everything you can.
Inspect Your Roof Before Winter
Before you do anything else, you should inspect your roof before winter starts. Look for any signs of damage. You can hire professionals to handle roofing inspection in Westchester County. Address any roofing problems before winter so you can keep things safe.
Insulate Your Home
Insulating your home is a terrific way to protect your roof from being damaged in the winter. When your home is properly insulated, it’s easier to maintain a consistent temperature. You won’t be as likely to experience issues with condensation forming in your attic. If your home isn’t insulated, condensation from snowfall can cause damage to roof beams, joists, and supports.
Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
Cleaning your gutters and downspouts thoroughly before winter sets in is for the best. Take the time to clear your gutters and downspouts completely. Check for clogs and eliminate all debris. You want to ensure your gutters remain clear to avoid issues with pooling water and other problems.
Fix Dips or Low Points in Your Roof
Dips or low points in your roof can cause water to pool in specific spots. Water can freeze in these spots and cause cracks to expand. If you notice issues with dips or low points in your roof, you should contact roofing services in Westchester County to get things fixed promptly. Local professionals can fix your roof so you won’t have to be concerned about roof ponding issues.
Tree Trimming Helps
Ice can damage your roof so you will want to limit the opportunities for problematic ice issues to pop up. Trimming your trees in order to help keep limbs away from the roof is a good choice. When tree limbs get too close to the roof, it’ll lead to more ice forming than usual. Spend some time trimming your trees ahead of winter to avoid complications.
Check the Flashing and Caulking
Check the flashing and caulking to ensure everything is secure. You want to keep leaks from happening, and applying fresh caulking won’t take a lot of effort. This is a simple task you can perform in order to better protect your roof and house. Carefully examine your vents, chimneys, and skylights to ensure all is well. If you find flashing that’s in poor condition, you should replace it. Flashing is inexpensive and replacing it won’t be a hassle. Preventing water from seeping into your home is imperative.
Look for Any Signs of Damage Inside
Check out your house to see if there are any signs of damage inside. Look in your attic to spot cracks, wet spots, dips, or other problems. If there are any issues, you should call a roofing contractor in Westchester County as soon as you can to get help. Solve any roofing problems and interior issues you find before winter.
Remove Snow
Allowing snow to remain on your roof is a terrible choice. Snow is incredibly heavy and it can cause damage to your roof over time. Go outside and remove snow from the roof using a shovel with an extendable handle. If you need to use a ladder, have a friend or family member with you to steady the ladder and keep things as safe as possible.
Add Ventilation to Your Roof
Adding ventilation to the roof is a great way to prevent ice dams from forming. Proper ventilation draws in the cold and flushes out warm air. You can work with local professionals to install a ventilation system on the roof to get optimal results. This is a good investment that will go a long way toward keeping your roof safe in the winter.
Consider Using Heat Cables
Heat cables are useful for preventing ice dams, too. Some homes might not have insulation, and using heat cables is an alternative way to keep your roof from getting damaged by condensation. Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear so you can have the best experience. The presence of heat cables will prevent ice dams, but roof ponding issues can still be problematic if your gutters are clogged.
Call Local Roofers if You Need Assistance
If you have roofing issues that need to be fixed before winter, you should reach out to roofing companies in Westchester County. Local roofers can assess the situation and get your roof repaired before winter sets in. Taking the steps above can safeguard your roof, but hiring professionals to handle necessary repairs is crucial.