502-909-4058

Is Your Roof Winter Weather Ready?

Your roof needs to protect and insulate your home at all times of the year, but this role is perhaps most important during the cold winter months. Throw in the threat of ice, freezing rain, snow, and high winds, and there are other elements beyond the cold that your roof must contend with as well. That’s why it’s crucial to ensure that your roof is ready to withstand everything winter has to throw its way – and you can help by making sure that it’s winter ready.

So how do you get your roof ready for winter? Here’s a closer look:

5 Ways to Get Your Roof Winter Weather Ready

1. Clean (and, if Necessary, Fix) Your Gutters and Downspouts

A gutter system’s main purpose is to ensure that any roof runoff can drain safely away from the home. And it’s important to ensure your gutters and downspouts are clear during the fall months when leaves and debris have a tendency to fall from nearby trees and settle in the gutter system. Clogs can result in overflowing gutters or place excessive weight on the gutters and cause them to pull away from the home’s facade, leaving a gap between the roofline and the gutter. When water doesn’t drain properly, it can result in foundation degradation or even home water intrusion.

Clogged gutters and downspouts during the winter months can result in ice dams. Ice dams form when snowmelt from the roof refreezes once it reaches the gutters. If ice dams become too large, they can impede proper drainage and even cause water damage to attics and ceilings.

As you’re cleaning your gutters this fall, also check for signs of wear, leaks, and damage and fix them accordingly. If the damage is too significant, it may make more sense to have your gutters replaced.

2. Trim Away Branches and Trees

If you live in an area of dense foliage or some of your landscaping features come close to the roof, it’s important to make sure that you’re trimming back any branches that could cause damage. Winter winds can cause branches to scrape roof shingles. In some cases, branches may even snap off any nearby trees and fall onto the roof. If any trees around your property line aren’t healthy or have already died, consider removal before the winter months. Dead trees are more likely to fall over during inclement weather, which could cause damage to your roof.

3. Clean Any Debris Off Your Roof’s Surface

Fall is the time to make sure that its surface is free of any debris. Leaves, twigs, and other debris can build up on the surface of your roof during the fall months. And while much of this debris is likely to get blown or washed into your gutter system, there still may be some buildup on your roof. In addition to any roof debris leading to gutter blockages, leaves also hold moisture, which may lead to mold and mildew growth, and roof damage if not cleared from the surface.

4. Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected

Hiring a professional roofing contractor to carry out a thorough inspection is always a good idea, especially before winter weather sets in, and makes it more difficult to make any necessary repairs. A qualified professional will assess the overall quality of the shingles, flashing, gutter system, roof valleys, and more and suggest repairs or replacement if necessary.

5. Replace Your Roof (If Necessary)

Roofs don’t last forever. And while proper care and maintenance can extend the functional life of your roof, at some point, it’s going to need to be replaced. Again, if your roof needs to be replaced, you don’t want to put off any work until spring and risk damage during the winter months. Some signs that you may need a new roof include:

  • Leaks in multiple places after any significant rainfall
  • Damage to the roof or flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights
  • Extensive shingle warping, curling, or cracking
  • A roof that’s more than 20 years old.

Contact Skyguard Home Today

SkyGuard Home can help get your roof ready for the harsh winter months. To schedule an appointment, contact Skyguard Home today.

GET A FREE ESTIMATE

COVID-19 UPDATE

During these difficult times, SkyGuard and our teams are still working to take care of your projects. At the same time, we are closely following all CDC and government recommended safety precautions and we want to let our clients know of the procedures we are undertaking to keep our staff and clients safe.