Different weather conditions can affect your roof and winter is no exception! If snow and ice are troubling you during winter, then you need to prepare the roof for winter as soon as possible.
When the leaves fall and the air feels crisp, you realise it’s time to get to work on your roof. That’s because winter is a tough time for roofs, and if yours isn’t properly protected, it can leak and collapse under all that snow.
While winter is the most wonderful time of year for some, it can bring unwanted stress to others. Keeping your roof in good shape is important throughout the year, but especially during the colder months.
Whether you’re looking to protect your home from the effects of winter, or to save money on your heating bills, here are a few steps you can take to help guard against moisture and mould this winter.
Why prepare the roof for winter?
Preparing your roof for winter is the best way to protect it and your home from the dangers of winter. There are numerous things you can do to prevent ice damming from occurring, such as purchasing a quality ice and water shield for optimal protection, which will also add additional insulation to your roof.
It’s a good idea to prepare the roof for winter and checked for snow-related damages before the season gets here. Why? Well, you wouldn’t want a bad storm to take away your home’s resale value, would you?
All homeowners should inspect their roof before the first snow. This may include removing any debris or ice shield, and replacing any missing shingles or flashing. Once the first snowfall arrives, it’s important to take the necessary steps to ready your roof for winter. That means checking and replacing any loose shingles or leaking flashing, and inspecting any ice and water shield around roof penetrations.
If you’re worried about your roof during the upcoming winter, we’re here to help. We can’t stress enough how important it is to contact a professional roofing contractor in order to avoid potential hazards.
Issues caused to roofs during winter
Leaks in the roof flashing
In many areas of the country, flashing systems have been around for a long time. They’ve been proven to be durable and efficient in most applications. Leaks in the roof flashing can cause severe damage to the roof. The best way for you to tell if you have a leak in your roof flashing is by inspecting it regularly.
It’s common for roofs to develop leaks. The most common leaks are usually found around skylights, chimneys, and vent pipes.
It’s important to take precautions against roof leaks, so when winter comes around, you know how to protect yourself against any unnecessary expenses! Generally, most homeowners inspect every 6 months to help prevent this from becoming a problem.
Fluctuation in temperature can cause condensation
Condensation around your roof could lead to damage to the house’s interior, if not remedied. The best way to avoid this problem is to provide adequate ventilation.
If you notice moisture accumulating on the inside of your ceiling, it might mean that your attic is not properly ventilated. The best way to avoid this problem is to provide adequate ventilation for your attic space.
Unfortunately, if this is ignored, it can significantly reduce the lifespan of the roof.
Overgrown tree limbs breaking through
If you have a lot of trees in your yard, it’s important to clear out the branches that are hanging over your home. This can cause extensive damage to windows and siding, not to mention the roof. When branches or limbs fall into the roof damage could be extensive, with leaks and even mold growing beneath the surface of the shingles. The problem is that if there are too many trees around your home, you can’t just cut them down.
Therefore it’s important that you periodically check their branches every year. Inspect the roof and trim any overhanging limbs that could damage your roof.
Formation of ice dams
While ice dams are not the most dangerous form of water leak that you might encounter, they do have their own unique problems. Ice dams develop when snow and ice melt on the roof below the roofing membrane. The melted water comes down under the shingles through valleys or other areas where the roof pitches steeply towards the eaves. Ice dams cause mold, mildew, wood rot, and structural damage to your home.
Ice dams can be a pesky problem. Find out how to prevent ice dams from forming and what you should know if they do.
Formation of icicles
Icicles are a danger to your home, particularly your children’s safety. Be sure to remove icicles from your home as soon as possible. This is an important step when preparing the roof for winter. Icicles form on home roofs and gutters when the temperature is above freezing and there is moisture from melted snow, rain or ice buildup. When they fall from the gutter to the ground, they can damage landscaping, and create a potentially dangerous slip hazard.
How to prepare the roof for winter?
If you are wondering what you can do to prepare the roof for winter, don’t worry. We have some advice that will make winter preparation easier this year. You can get in touch with our roofing team at SPS Roofing for your winter preparation needs! We offer all aspects of roof cleaning and roof repairs should you need any.
Clear any algae or moss that is formed
Moss and algae should be removed from time to time. A good way to prevent potentially serious problems caused by excess moss and algae is to keep your roof clean. However, cleaning a roof isn’t always as easy as it sounds. That way, potential problems brought on by the build-up can be avoided. Protect yourself with eye protection (goggles) and rubber boots or other water-safe footwear. If you choose to power wash your roof, make sure the nozzle has the right settings for your roof type.
Clean up the debris
You’ll need to clean up the debris and remove any items that may blow onto it. Make sure your roof is clean and litter free by the time winter arrives. As you usually do, make sure no leaves or small branches are left on your roof. Check your gutters to make sure they are clear, too. Keeping your roof clean will help it last longer and save money.
This is also a good time to check if there are any damages in the roof that were covered up by the debris.
Ensure the gutters are clear
Maintaining your gutters is an essential part of your home’s maintenance. If you want the rain to flow away from your home, then it’s important to keep your gutters clear. By having a wire brush handy, you can easily brush away the dirt and leaves. If you live in a cold area or have snow on your roof, gutter guards are designed to drain snow away from your home.
Clogged gutters can cause major issues for your home including water damage and mold especially during winter. For those less experienced with cleaning their gutters, we recommend using a wire brush tool to remove any large debris.
Keep the attic vents clean
When you use your attic for storage, it can be hard to keep the vents clear of leaves, snow, and dust. This prevents proper airflow into the attic. A home without proper ventilation is a very unhealthy place to live. That’s why it’s so important to keep your attic vents clean and clear of debris.
Furthermore, clogged vents reduce airflow, which can cause your attic to retain moisture—which can ultimately result in ice dams, attic mold, and structural damage.
Regular inspections
Our professional roofing teams will perform thorough inspections of your home’s roof, and we’ll let you know about any maintenance issues they spot. Depending on the severity of any issue, we may require you to complete a temporary fix in order to prevent further damage. Alternatively, we’ll suggest permanent solutions for you to choose from when we come back later on with a quote.
