5 Crucial Steps to Take When Preparing Your Roof for Winter
In Colorado, the seasons can change overnight and we can go from a beautiful 70-degree day to a foot-deep blanket of snow in a matter of hours. That’s why it’s important to take steps now to make sure your home is ready for winter—or just a few days of winter weather.
The last thing you want is to have to deal with substantial damage to your shingle roof in winter, so here’s what you need to know about preparing your roof for winter.
1. Inspect Your Roof
It’s a good practice to have your roof inspected in the fall to make sure everything is in order before winter weather hits. You don’t want to deal with replacing a roof or having winter roofing work done when the temperature is below freezing. Can you put a roof on in winter? Sure, but it’s far from ideal…or cost-effective!
The best thing to do is to schedule a roof inspection to make sure your roof and your home are ready for snow, sleet, cold rain, and wind. A fall inspection will not only provide an assessment of your winter roof, shingles, roofline, and all other areas before the cold season hits, but it will save you from dealing with serious damage later.
It’s not recommended to perform an inspection yourself, as it can be dangerous, and major roofing issues aren’t always obvious for the untrained eye to spot.
2. Inspect Your Gutters
In addition to checking the shingles and roofline and noting any weak or damaged spots, you’ll want to make sure your gutters are clear of debris and able to direct water down and away from your roof and home. If there are any areas where water or ice can accumulate, you might be dealing with additional damage down the road (gutter pulling away from the roof, cracks or leaks, sagging, etc.).
A good approach to making sure your roof is ready for winter and all other seasons is to routinely clean your gutters. A best practice is to clean them twice a year, especially in the fall before the first snow.
3. Be Mindful of Trees & Limbs
While it can be nice to have a yard full of different kinds of trees, your roof might suffer if the trees are growing too close to it.
Part of your pre-winter roof inspection should be to note large, heavy branches that might be susceptible to cracking or falling onto your roof during a heavy storm. Trees also contribute to gutter damage—especially during fall—so trimming your trees before it’s too late is highly recommended.
It’s best to hire a professional to help with trimming your trees and making sure they are ready for any harsh winter weather.
4. Inspect Roof Flashing and Valleys
Roof flashing is the piece of thin metal sheeting that surrounds things on your roof like your chimney to prevent leaks. If any part of the flashing is pulling away or damaged, it will need to be replaced immediately to prevent leaks.
Similarly, your winter roof inspection should include a review of your roof valleys, which are where two portions of your roof meet each other. These areas are particularly susceptible to accumulating debris like leaves and pine needles, and as such, they can prevent water from running off your roof correctly and lead to more damage.
No matter what kind of flashing or valleys might be on your roof, your local roofer will be able to identify any weak areas and complete or recommend work to be done.
5. Inspect Your Attic for Proper Ventilation & Insulation
Your attic is where the first signs of a leak will occur, which is why it’s essential to ensure it has proper ventilation. There are a lot of roof ventilation types available, and it’s important to know how yours operates.
Poor roof ventilation can lead to a buildup of condensation, which can then lead to structural damage to your home. Your roofing inspector can take a look at your attic for mold, mildew, or other signs of poor attic ventilation and recommend some of the best roof ventilation options or even install a roof ventilation fan to help circulate air.
Likewise, proper roof insulation also helps with ventilation and prevents damage to your shingles, as warm air in your attic can create ice dams on your roof and create leaks.
Let J&K Roofing Take On Preparing Your Roof for Winter
A good winter season starts with prevention and includes the proper winter roof maintenance, as necessary.
The smartest move you can make toward preparing your roof for winter is to leave the inspection and preventative measures to the professionals. After all, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Get in touch with us today if you’re in the Denver Metro, Front Range, Colorado Springs, or Northern Colorado area for a winter roof inspection and any necessary prep—before it’s too late. Winter will be here before you know it!