Is Your Roof Prepared for Winter?
11/19/2018
There are lots of things you do to get ready for winter every year. Whether it’s your lawn, your car, or even your boat, it’s important that all of your property has been properly prepared for the winter season. If your roof isn’t on that list yet, it should be. Winter is a tough time for your roof, and regular maintenance can help you spot signs of possible damage and prevent it before it costs you money.
Once you’ve put away the lawn chairs and closed the pool, save yourself future headaches and give your roof a thorough inspection.
Stay Safe
Getting on a roof is dangerous and something best left to professionals, but most of the items on the winterization checklist can be observed from atop a secured ladder (just be sure to follow ladder safety guidelines). If using a ladder makes you uncomfortable, reliable, credentialed roofing contractors* are always available to perform the inspection for you. Enlisting the help of a professional not only keeps you safe, but it also means an expert eye will be looking over your roof for any signs of trouble. The following are the major areas that should be checked during a pre-winter roof assessment:
Visual Check
Start by visually scanning your roof for any damage or potential weak spots. Cracked, missing, or discolored shingles and sagging rooflines are warning signs.
Roof Flashings should also be checked. Roof Flashings are metal pieces that protect irregular roof areas like dormers, chimneys, and skylights. These should be checked for cracks, missing pieces or damage. A failed roof flashing is one of the most common causes of leaks.
Gutters
Cleaning the rain gutters is the next step of this process, and it requires some old fashioned manual labor. Simply remove all leaves, sticks, and other objects that might block water flow and cause debris to build up on your roof. If for any reason you are unsure about cleaning your gutters yourself, you can hire a professional from a local business that provides such services.
Attic Check
Next, it’s time to break out the flashlight and make an expedition into the attic. Look for any areas that have leaked in the past or look like they might leak in the future. Take note of any water staining, heavy moisture, or mold, as these areas will need to be examined before winter sets in to avoid further damage.
Once these steps are completed, you have finished your inspection. If you ran into any issues during one of the above steps, reach out to a professional roofing contractor for a thorough check before the weather starts to get cold and wet. If a professional performed the inspection for you, they will report the state of your roof to you and suggest any necessary next steps for repairs. Even if you don’t have money designated for roof repairs in your budget, keep this in mind: it will be far less costly to make repairs now than it will be in the middle of winter or when the damage has gotten worse.
*CertainTeed, North America’s leading building materials manufacturer, highly recommends that homeowners choose a ShingleMaster or SELECT ShingleMaster credentialed roofing contractor for a roof inspection or roof repairs. Companies carrying these education-based credentials are proven professionals who have agreed to follow a contractor code of ethics set forth by CertainTeed.