Is Your Roof Ready For Winter?

By Author: Elena Paul
Total Articles: 26
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Introduction

If you live in a part of the country that has extreme weather conditions, your quality roofing and construction is probably one of the most important things on your property. In addition to playing a key role in keeping you warm, dry, and comfortable during winter months, a well-designed roof can provide years of service. However, no matter how strong or durable your roof may be, it can still be destroyed by Mother Nature's fury.


Conduct roof inspections and maintenance


• Roof inspections and maintenance are important to ensure your roof is in good condition.


• To conduct a roof inspection, first, check the weather forecast before going out on a cold day. If it's snowing or raining, wait until the weather improves so that you don't get wet or lost in your own house!


• Use a flashlight to look up through windows and skylights to see if there are any leaks from water pouring down onto the ground below (this may be caused by trees next door dripping sap into ...
... your yard). If this applies to you, have someone come over with some tar paper—a thick layer of paper with adhesive on each side—to patch up any holes in order not only prevent future leaks but also keep them from getting bigger over time."


Test your roof drainage system.


• Check for clogged gutters.


• Inspect downspouts to make sure they're draining properly and aren't frozen in place due to ice dams or flashing problems (the part of the gutter that connects with the shingles).


• Test your roof drainage system by pouring water on top of it and seeing how much drains away without getting into your home or basement area—this is called "flooding," which can lead to mold growth inside your home if left untreated for long periods of time!


Check for damaged or loose shingles and flashing.

• Check for loose shingles.


• Check for damaged or missing flashing.


• Look for gaps between the roof and the roof decking where water can get in, causing leaks and damage to your home.


Trim tree branches close to the roof.


• Trim tree branches close to the roof.


• Use a ladder.


• Make sure you're safe when trimming trees, and use a rope to tie off branches that are too far away from the roof. If you don't have one, get one! It's worth it. You can buy them at any hardware store or garden center for about $20-$30 dollars (depending on how many feet long). A pruning saw works well too, but not everyone has one handy—and if they do, they probably don't know how to use it properly because most people don't need one in their backyard anyway!


Maintain the attic, fireplace, and chimney system.


• Maintain the attic, fireplace, and chimney system.


• Make sure there is adequate ventilation in your attic to prevent moisture buildup that can cause damage to your home. You should also be checking for insulation that needs to be replaced or if any water damage is present from leaks or condensation on the roof of your house.


• Examine areas where rodents may reside such as around windows and doors where they can enter through gaps left by missing screens (especially on wooden windows). Check around pipes that run through walls made with mortar joints; rodents may chew on them causing structural damage over time. Also, look at ceiling joists where signs of rodent activity are likely found; this includes holes chewed into them, droppings left behind after feeding time has passed and evidence of gnawing marks around nails used for holding up floorboards or rafters overhead."


Pay attention to ice dams.


Ice dams are caused by heat escaping from your home. When ice melts, it creates a "trough" of water where the melting happens. This trough collects on top of the roof and is then exposed to further melting as more water pools up there.

The result: water damage inside your house that may require expensive repairs. And remember: if you have an attic fan or heat recovery ventilator installed, these sources of warm air can make it easier for ice to form on your roof instead of just sitting in one place (like when there's no snow).


Weather conditions can impact all types of roofs; maintain yours so that it lasts longer and functions better.


Don't neglect your roof during winter months, as this is when problems often occur. Check for damage, whether it's a small hole in the shingles or sloping at an angle. Also, look for loose shingles or flashing (the metal strip that covers the joint between two layers) that could cause water intrusion into your home if not sealed properly.

Trim tree branches near chimneys and vents to help prevent icicles from forming on them over time -- these can create structural damage if they fall during winter storms onto other parts of your home's exterior surfaces like siding or gutters! If you do find ice dams on top of snowfall accumulation, remove them with a manual scraper designed specifically for this purpose."


Conclusion


This is an important step to take, and one that you should not delay. Roofs are typically only covered by insurance companies for 30 years, so if you wait too long, it could cost more money than it is worth. If your roof has been damaged by weather or other factors, do not hesitate to contact a professional commercial general contractors who can help!