Winter may already be here, but it’s not too late to prepare your roof for the cold winter months ahead. Even February, a couple of months away, has some of the cruelest winter weather, so before the chilling season freezes it’s away across the country, take these precautionary steps to protect your roof from heavy snow and ice.
Clean Debris
Leaves, twigs, and bits of trash can pile on top of your roof, causing it to sag. Uncleaned debris will freeze, adding more weight to your roof and clogging up your pipes. When the icy debris melts, water can leak into your building, causing even further, costly damage. Remove all debris beforehand from gutters, pipes, and anywhere else it gathers to prevent an excess pile up.
Overhanging trees pose an additional threat. During the winter, snow accumulates on the branches. When the branches break, they could puncture holes in your roof, which could cost a lot of money. Cut away any limbs before they become an issue.
Plug the Dam
Ice dams, formations of ice around the edges of a roof, occur quite often in the winter months. If you don’t want Jack Frost messing with your roof, use a heavy broom to remove piled snow and ice. Never use a shovel, as the hard metal can scrape and damage your roof.
Another way to stop ice dams is to increase ventilation. Fiberglass batt insulation is a great option due to its simple design, low price point, and high R-value. R-values determine an insulation’s thermal resistance; the higher the R-value, the greater the resistance.
Additionally, spray foam insulation, while more costly, provides a solid alternative. Use this type of insulation to fill those hard-to-reach gaps and corners. With a higher R-value than fiberglass batt, you may want to consider this insulation this winter.
Maintain Your Roof
If you put in the prep time, you won’t have to worry about maintaining your roof as heavily. However, to ensure full protection, inspect, check, and recheck all drains, scuppers, caulking, and flashing for any gaps, cracks, or holes. This should be done before and after winter to assess your roof’s damage and make any necessary repairs. Also, consider the costs involved in maintaining the roof and budget accordingly, knowing a drastic alternative roof replacement could be costly too.
If you need help with roof repairs, maintenance, or think you need a new roof, contact us today. We’ll inspect your roof to determine which type of roofing and work are best for your home or business.
