4 Ways to Look After Your Roof in the Winter

Prepare Your Roof for the Worst Case Scenario

It looks like this winter has the potential to be a real doozy.  That means we all have a lot of work to do to prepare even though we are in the thick of it right now.  One of the most important ways that you can look after your home during the winter doldrums is to take the proper precautions to be sure that your roof remains in good condition.


Let’s take a look at four tips to make sure that your roof escapes the winter unscathed and help you prepare for next year more efficiently.

house at twilight

1. Get your roof inspected

We probably sound like a broken record at this point, but annual roof inspections are just too important to not mention at least once.  While it’s true that most of the precipitation we receive occurs in late spring and early summer, winter is the time when any damage accrued during the rainy season can be exacerbated.  It’s always preferable to know about potentially serious issues with your roof as soon as possible, and having your roof inspected during the winter comes with the added benefit of possibly being able to find more affordable estimates.

house in the snow

2. Have your gutters cleaned

The frequency with which you should have your gutters cleaned is going to depend on a few factors.  If you live in a heavily wooded area, for example, you are going to need to have your gutters cleaned seasonally.  If you live in an idyllic home on the prairie, you’ll probably be fine having them cleaned once or twice a year.


Clogged gutters present a special hazard for roofing in the winter because they are one of the leading causes of ice damming.  An ice dam occurs when water freezes in such a way that it causes water to pool behind it, creating a larger ice patch. 


The danger of ice dams is that as water collects on and seeps into the space between your shingles, the freezing water will expand, dislodging or destroying shingles or wood structures underneath. 


The telltale sign of ice dams is icicles hanging from the side of your roof.  If you notice any icicles, chances are you have ice damming on your roof.

cleaning a gutter

3. Clear your roof of debris

Another leading cause of ice damming is water collecting around twigs, sticks, or leaves that accumulate on your roof. 


This might seem like an easy enough chore to perform on your own, but we strongly caution against working on your roof.  The roof is one of the most common locations of serious injury during DIY housework, and when you climb up onto a ladder you are risking way more than a sprained ankle.  There’s no reason to risk months in a cast, an insurance deductible, or even death when there are trained professionals who can take care of that for you at surprisingly reasonable rates.

icicles on a roof

4. Make sure your roof is properly insulated

The best time to insulate your roof was last year.  The second best time is right now.  An improperly insulated roof can cause a host of problems including damaged personal property in the attic, bust plumbing, and ice dams.


If the warm air from your home escapes through your roof, any accumulated snow will melt and then freeze again when the temperatures drop at night.  This cycle of thawing and freezing can easily cause ice dams to form on your roof and is even more dangerous because they may stay hidden from ground level.


You’re also potentially spending way too much on your energy bill if your roof isn’t properly insulated, so it’s a good idea to get that done as soon as possible.


If you’re worried about the state of your roof this winter, there’s no better time to give us a call! 

icicles on a roof
roof inspection
leaves in a gutter
roof
snow on a roof

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