The winter weather can do quite a number on your home. With the cold temperatures come snow, ice, sleet, and wind as well. It’s a good idea to spend some time preparing your home for the winter ahead. Because your roof is the main form of protection for your home, it should receive some attention.
That is why we put together a list of the top roof maintenance tips for you to keep in mind as the winter months come closer. Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to keep your roof in top shape during winter and feel free to contact the experts at Equity Builders for all other questions related to roof maintenance for your home.
Important Roof Maintenance Tips
Proactive cleanup and maintenance can prevent you from having to climb up on the roof when there is snow on the ground. Check out the following tips you can follow to avoid and maintain your roof during the winter.
#1 – Sweep and Clear All Debris
You should remove any visible debris from the surface of your roof. This includes sticks, leaves, garbage, and other unwanted items. Even dirt can accumulate in areas of your roof. Removing this debris will prevent water, snow, and ice from accumulating. Anything that adheres itself to your roof, especially snow and ice, can lead to permanent damage.
#2 – Routinely Clean Your Gutters
Gutters can become filled up with all kinds of debris. According to Best Maids, scooping out debris is one of the best methods of cleaning your rain gutter. You’ll have to get up on a ladder to get this done. If you’re not comfortable with the process, you can have a professional come to clean out your gutters for you. When your gutters are clogged up with a mess, water can’t flow through properly. When you’re already dealing with ice and snow jamming up this area, adding more items will only make the water pool up more. This can lead to water making its way under your roof or into your home, leading to damaging mold growth over time. Cleaning your gutters can help prevent this problem.
#3 – Watch for Damage to Roofing Material
If you notice that any roof shingles are missing, curling, or cracked, you’re going to need to repair these items as soon as you’re aware of them. If you leave them for the winter to take their toll, this could lead to major structural issues. You could also be introducing mold growth into your home. Mold can rapidly multiply, affecting your indoor air quality. You could be making everyone sick without even knowing it, just because of a few missing roof shingles that are allowing snow and moisture to get into your attic.
#4 – Call a Professional for Repairs
Working on your roof is not necessarily an easy process. Even if you have a one-story home, your roof can have a pretty dangerous slope to it. If you’re not comfortable getting up there to inspect everything or make repairs, there are licensed roof contractors in your area that can help get your roof ready for the long winter months ahead.
Other Home Maintenance Tips for Winter
You want to make sure the winter doesn’t cause any damage and that you can stay nice and cozy inside your home. That’s why we put together a few additional winter home maintenance tips you can do to protect your property.
Ensure Your Home’s Exterior is Protected
As mentioned earlier, the part of your home that will take the largest hit during the winter is the exterior. Now is the time to protect it. One place to start is the roof. Have it inspected and repair any damage. Make sure there aren’t any trees nearby in danger of falling on the roof. You also want to protect all the wood in your house. You can do this through painting, sealing, and caulking your siding and trim. Sealing is also a good idea for any concrete walkways, patios, or driveways as this helps prevent cracking. In order to seal coat your driveway, the outside temperature should be at least 70 degrees for several days. Of course, you don’t want to forget your windows and doors. Make sure they are properly sealed and secured so they can keep out the cold weather.
Invest in Improvements to Your Home’s Interior
On the inside, a good place to start is with the insulation. You especially want to make sure your attic is properly insulated. Even if it isn’t regularly used, it can still be a major source of cold air. There are also many other quick fixes to keep your home insulated in the winter. If your house has a chimney, you should get it cleaned and inspected before building your cozy winter fires. If you plan on building a lot of fires, you should also have your smoke detectors inspected. Since your house will be closed up tightly, there’s a greater risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. You want to make sure your smoke detectors are working well and have strong batteries.
Prepare Your Yard and other Outside Belongings
Before winter arrives, you need to prepare your yard. This includes covering or storing any patio furniture. If you have a pool, it’s best to drain it and cover it. Likewise, shut off and drain your sprinkler system in order to avoid any freezing. Before putting away the lawn mower, weed eater, and other tools, drain the gas as it may go bad by the time spring rolls around. Part of preparing for winter is also preparing for spring. If you want a nice new lawn in the spring, you need to plan now. The best time to seed is late September to October, so plan accordingly. Don’t forget to fertilize.
Equity Builders Can Assist You With Home & Roof Repair for Winter Weather
It’s important to take care of your home. This is especially true as the weather drastically changes. You want to make sure you and your house are protected during the winter months. Start now and your home will be all set.
Does your roof need repairing before winter sets in? At Equity Builders Roofing, we have a team of experts who can assist with residential roof repair or maintenance. Whether you have an asphalt shingle roof or a metal roof, we can provide professional services for all types of materials. Get in touch with our team today by filling out our quick form online and we will work to find the roofing solution for your home!