The Roof Over Your Head
Winter is here, and with it the inevitable chilly, wet and snowy weather.
This is the time to look at winterizing your home. The number one place
to start your home winterization is with the roofing system.
Here are some tips to follow for winterizing your roof.
MAKE REPAIRS
Spots in your roofing system that are weak will be vulnerable to
the more extreme weather of winter. Start by replacing
missing shingles, and repair shingles that are loose or
damaged. This applies to just about every type of roofing
system, like tiles. If you notice more than a single
incident that needs attention, then you should call a
roofing professional to come do an inspection.
CUT BACK TREE LIMBS
Prune or cut back tree limbs that may cause damage to
your roof. Even healthy tree limbs can come crashing
down or smash against your roof in high winds or under
the weight of snow and ice.
ROOF AND GUTTER CLEANING
One of the most important chores in winterizing your
home is cleaning the roof and gutters of leaves and
debris that have accumulated. Algae growth on your roof
can take root beneath the shingles, and in freezing
temperatures may expand, causing damage to the roofing
material.
This is also the time to inspect the gutters, and drains.
They play a vital role in the integrity of your roofing
system, and if clogged, rusty and damaged can even lead
to damage in yard and the home’s foundation. This is
another area where having a professional do an
inspection is prudent.
CHECK ATTIC INSULATION
Inspect your attic if you have easy access. Look to see if
your insulation is in good shape. Remove, and replace
any insulation that is damp or moldy. Taking care of the
insulation is one of the simplest ways to save energy, and
improve the home’s comfort..
PROFESSIONAL ROOF INSPECTION
For the do-it-yourselfer, it is very tempting to grab the ladder
and head up on your roof. A word of caution — walking on a
roof is dangerous. It can also result in damage to shingles or
tiles. If you’ve not done a roof inspection in awhile, schedule
a professional roof inspection.
Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make.
Having a professional roof inspection is a worthy investment.
It can help your roofing system last longer and improve the
heating efficiency of your home.