When was the last time that you looked up to your roof to check and see what it looked like? Is there any damage up there or anything that needs to be removed? Are there any shingles missing or flapping around in the breeze?
Let us guess, you have no idea what the answer is to any of those questions…Don’t worry, you are not alone! About half of the people we talk to cannot answer those questions, which is why we want to make sure that you know how important it is to protect your roof this winter season.
Here Are 7 Ways To Protect Your Roof From Damage This Winter:
- Remove Debris: Debris that simply sits on your roof is an invitation for damage! That debris can cause your shingles to tear or allow water to build up and seep through those shingles causing mold. All that damage can easily find its way to the inside of your roof and the rest of your home if you let it go long enough.
- Clean Your Gutters and Make Necessary Repairs: Your gutters are designed to keep water away from your home and foundation, but they can’t if they are jam-packed with leaves and other debris. We recommend that you clean them out before the snow starts, or as soon as you possibly can if winter gets a little head start to like it did this year. While you are cleaning your gutters, we recommend checking for damage and making necessary repairs to keep them in working order.
- Remove Mildew and Mold: All that mildew, mold, and algae up on your roof can damage your shingles and the materials underneath. We recommend that you remove these items immediately so that you do not have a nasty odor and it doesn’t continue to grow throughout your home.
- Repair Broken Shingles and Replace Missing Ones: Any damaged or missing shingles are not going to be able to do their job, which is to protect your roof. Your shingles are supposed to keep moisture and water out of your home, and that is impossible if they are not in place. This oversight can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs.
- Improve Interior Insulation: The insulation on the inside of your roof is just as important as everything on the outside. We recommend that you make sure that you have plenty of insulation on the inside so that you do not have condensation building up. That moisture can cause your beams to rot and they will eventually collapse.
- Trim Those Overhanging Tree Branches: Those tree branches that are hanging over your roof are an accident waiting to happen this winter season. If those branches break off, they can take your shingles off with them or even cause a hole right in your roof. We know that the last thing you want is to be woken up in the middle of the night to find a tree branch awfully close to your face after it crashes through your ceiling!
- Have a Professional Do an Inspection: We understand that you might not know too much about roofs and the damage that they incur, which is why we always say that homeowners should have their roofs professionally inspected once a year.
Doing these seven things will help you keep your roof in tip-top shape this winter season. While something could still happen to your roof, the chances of it being major are less once you have taken these precautions.
