It may not feel like it, but winter weather is rapidly approaching. Each year, we speak with homeowners who hadn’t properly prepared their homes for the season, and subsequently faced damage to their roof. Winter can bring snow, sleet, freezing rain, and harsh winds that can cause damage or compound existing damage to your roof. Here are some steps you can take to get your roof ready for the winter weather.
1. Observe and Trim Surrounding Trees
Powerful winds and heavy snows can turn the trees surrounding your home into a hazard. When snow and ice compound on branches, the additional weight can cause them to snap, especially if the branches are already weakened. This creates the risk of branches collapsing onto your roof. Recruit a Maryland roofing professional to trim problem branches and ensure that your home is protected from potential hazards.
2. Check and Thoroughly Clean Your Gutter System
Gutters serve an integral role in protecting your roofing system from damage. Throughout fall, fallen leaves and debris get caught in gutters, which can lead to clogging. Clogged gutters can cause water to pool at the base of your roofing, increasing the likelihood of leaks. It can also increase the risk for the formation of ice dams, a winter storm phenomenon that can trap melting snow and cause even more damage. Ensure you regularly clean your gutters during the fall season to prevent any issues. It’s also advisable to have a professional inspect your gutter system. Old or damaged gutters can have issues draining properly, which works to compound any clogs they may experience. Qualified roofing services in Maryland are a great option for problem gutters.
3. Inspect Your Roof Flashing
Roof flashing is pieces of metal present on certain areas of your roof meant to prevent leaking and help direct water off your roof. It’s typically used in areas such as around your chimney, along walls, and in valleys. If your flashing is damaged or old, it may not be able to properly funnel water away. Heavy snow or freezing rain can damage flashing further.
4. Check Your Attic for Signs of Trouble
When roofing problems strike, you’ll most likely find evidence of them in the attic. When getting your roof ready for winter weather, check your attic for signs of possible roof damage. If water or sagging insulation is present, you likely already have a leak. It’s important to determine your attic also has proper insulation and ventilation. If too much heat builds up in an unventilated attic, it can help contribute to the formation of ice dams by causing the snow at the roof’s top to drain down to the frozen ice at the roof’s bottom. Addressing problem areas in your attic can help prevent substantial roof damage from affecting the rest of your home.
5. Schedule a Roof Inspection Ahead of Time
Roofing systems are complicated, with several areas that can present potential problem spots. If you want to get your roof ready for winter weather, it’s important to schedule a roofing inspection with an expert roofing team. They can provide a complete look at the health of your roof, identify areas at risk, and diagnose any problems the roofing system is currently experiencing or is likely to experience soon. If you want to avoid a roof replacement in Maryland, regular maintenance is necessary.
Having a roofing team you can trust is key. At Four Twelve Roofing, we’ve worked hard to ensure we deliver on the needs of our clients with transparent, dedicated roofing services. If you’d like to schedule your free roofing inspection today, reach out to the Four Twelve team.
