While plumbing and landscaping often get the most attention when it comes to weatherproofing, there’s one part of your home that shouldn’t be overlooked: the roof. Failing to winterize your roof properly can leave you with a freezing home and costly repairs.
With this winter slated to be filled with ice and snow, now is the perfect time to develop the perfect roofing plan. Here are some tips that will keep your roof intact all season long.
Trim Nearby Trees
The CDC recommends homeowners cut away tree branches that are in danger of falling on your home during a winter storm. With an increase in wind and snow, at-risk branches can easily be weighed down and snapped off, making them a serious hazard.
This is particularly true for homes surrounded by tall trees, as a single break could severely damage your roof and endanger your family. For these trees, it’s best to have a specialist conduct an inspection before the turn of the season.
Empty Gutters and Downspouts
Keeping clean gutters and downspouts is an essential part of winterizing your home. It’s easy for leaves and other debris to accumulate in your gutters, especially after trees shed their foliage in the fall. Too much buildup can lead to clogs which, though hazardous to your home in any season, are particularly dangerous during the colder months.
Clogged gutters and downspouts cause ice to accumulate and form ice dams. These dams prevent water from draining properly and can even separate shingles from your roof. Keeping clear gutters is the best way to eliminate dangerous ice dams.
Invest in a Roof Rake
Ice and snow add a lot of extra weight to your roof; too much buildup and you risk ice dams, leaks, and loose shingles. For this reason, it’s important to remove snow from your roof as quickly as possible.
Roof rakes are useful tools that make it easy to brush excess snow from your roof without damaging shingles. Additionally, snow removal companies often offer roof-raking services for those who are unable to do it themselves.
Ventilate Your Attic
Since your attic sits directly below the roof, it plays a crucial role in winterization. Improper ventilation may cause your attic to retain moisture and become damp, thus weakening the shingles above. When winterizing your home, ensure your attic receives proper airflow and that no vents are covered up by insulation.
Repair Existing Conditions
The best way to keep your roof safe this winter is to repair existing leaks and damages. A roofing repair will not only keep your family safe, but it will also keep you from paying for costly roof repairs.
When it comes to roof winterization, there is no better partner than Novalis Roofing and Siding. Get a free quote today and keep your roof strong all season.
