roofing repairRegular roof repair and maintenance is necessary for sustaining a properly functioning roof. Your roof should be inspected under normal circumstances at least once or twice a year. It’s typically best to have your roof inspected once before the warmer season and once before the colder season.

This is because winter and its side effects of hail, sleet, and snow can leave a detrimental impact on your home’s roofing shingles and insulation. However, with proper maintenance and roofing winterization, you can ensure that your roof will be ready to take on the wintry weather.

Preparing your roof for winter storms
Whether your winters are harsh or gentle, snow can build up on your roof and cause damage such as leaks, ice dams, roof avalanches, and in the worst case scenario roof collapses. To help winterize your roof, consider doing the following before the first snowfall.

  1. Clean your gutters
    Clogged gutters can cause water to build up in your roof’s drainage system. Not only cause this cause damage to your gutters once that water freezes and expands, but it can also cause leaks on your roof. When that water backs up and freezes, it can cause an ice dam, which can make your potential leaks that much more damaging to your home.

  2. Have roofing repair done
    Performing roofing repair is always a little trickier during the winter, not to mention the wintry weather can cause roofing problems to become roofing disasters. Contact your roofing contractors to have them come by and take a look at your roof before winter officially hits. You’ll be happier to have a roofing repair done prior to snowfall when it can help to prevent leaks and shingle damage.

  3. Consider a roofing replacement
    If your roof has seen better days and you’re unsure whether or not it’ll make it through another winter, it may be in your best interest to consider new roof installation. An older roof can only be repaired so many times until it would be more financially reasonable to have a new one put on instead. However, roofing installation is best done prior to winter to prevent snow from making its way into your unprotected attic.

  4. Clear away the snow on your roof
    When the snow finally falls, it can look magical. That is until the weight of it begins to cause damage to your roof and then it becomes a hazard. Use an ice rake to clear away light snowfalls on your roof before they can become dangerous and lead to snow avalanches. However, if you’re unsure of the weight of the snow on your roof, it may be better to let the professionals handle your roof’s snow removal.

Roof winterization is necessary to help keep your family dry and safe during the winter. Without proper preparation and maintenance, leaks and other types of damage can quickly turn from roofing problems to roofing disasters. To prevent a winter roofing disaster from happening to your home this season, contact a roofing contractor today to have your roof inspected. You’ll be glad you did.

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