Winter Roof Preparation Every Homeowner Should Know
Does your part of the country see cold winters? If so, your home's roof is going to be taking a lot of abuse. Snow and hail could be causing problems with a roof that has asphalt shingles, and the cold temperatures can cause problems with freezing water and ice dams. Here is what you need to know to prevent damage to your roof this winter.
Fix Missing Shingles
Do you have any shingles that are missing from storms in the fall or summer? You should replace these before the winter comes. A roof covered with snow gives plenty of opportunities for water to seep into your roof and damage the structure of your home. Ignoring the missing shingles could cause damage to the ceilings or attic and create mold that needs to be removed. Get in touch with a roof repair company before winter kicks in.
Avoid Stepping On The Roof
You may assume that in order to inspect your roof that you need to walk around for a close look. That is simply not true. Walking on a roof can create an opportunity for damage to occur due to the additional weight. If possible, stick to staying on the ladder to get as close as you can without walking on the surface of the roof. In addition, a slippery roof could lead to a potentially fatal slip and fall.
Caulk Around Flashing
One spot where water can easily get down to the roof deck is through damaged flashing. All it takes is for flashing to detach itself and be raised from the roof, since it allows water to easily get behind the flashing and cause damage. Thankfully, it is easy to fix flashing by using caulk to secure it back to the roof.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Are your gutters filled with leaves and debris? If so, now is the time to clear them out of your gutters. That debris can easily cause problems with water not draining when the snow melts, which will cause water levels to rise in the gutters and seep underneath the shingles. The water can freeze and cause shingles to lift off the roof, or cause the roof to rot underneath the shingles.
Buy A Roof Rake
Be prepared for snowfall before it happens. Purchase a roof rake that will allow you to pull excessive amounts of snow off your roof. This will prevent the additional weight of the snow from causing a roof collapse, and prevent ice dams from happening.