Winter is officially here. For this reason, it’s prudent to ensure that you’re doing everything you can to prepare your home, and specifically your roof. You want your house to protect you from the temperatures and inclement weather that the season’s peak tends to bring. So delve into these simple ways to ensure your roof remains sturdy and functional throughout the frosty months.
Check Your Roofline
If you’re trying to figure out how to prepare your roof for winter weather, stepping outside to inspect your home’s roofline is an excellent place to start. Do this by visually checking it for signs of curving, sagging, or dipping of any kind. Upon examination, if you find that your roofline is starting to sag, you may need to consider repairs.
Sagging or curved rooflines often indicate framing issues or a saturated roof deck. Both can lead to severe damage. In the worst cases, they can lead to total collapses. With heavy snow and rainfall, these hazardous scenarios only become more likely. So, if you hope to protect your home from winter weather preemptively, start by investigating your roofline for signs of damage.
Get Your Roof Professionally Inspected
Of course, it’s also wise to call a contractor out to perform a professional inspection of your roof. Doing this might seem a bit inconvenient. However, forgoing an examination that might make you privy to issues that indicate the need for a roof repair or replacement will cost much more time and money down the line. So don’t be afraid to have a contractor assess your roof’s condition. It’s the best option you have if you want to ensure your roof is ready for winter.
Invest in Protective Features
If you’re in a position to do so, investing in some protective features for your rooftop is a great way to ensure it’s ready for winter weather. This is especially true if you live in regions that are particularly prone to heavy snowfall. For instance, installing ice and snow barriers on your roof is a great way to ensure you have proper weight distribution and drainage.
Additionally, investing in a state-of-the-art ventilation system could protect your roof and attic from water damage and mold growth. So invest in some extra features if you can. Doing so is an excellent method for how to prepare your roof for winter weather.
Keep Your Roof Free of Debris
Another simple thing you can do to prepare your roof for the snowy season is to clear leaves, dirt, and other debris from it. Leaving debris on your rooftop may not seem like a big deal. However, if it happens to be there when snow and ice batter the roof, it could spell trouble for the roof’s structure or other vital features of your home.
This is because debris creates barriers on your roof. Not only do these barriers block snow and ice from draining properly, but they also absorb moisture. Later, this leads to moisture buildup, water infiltration, and structural instability. So you should ensure your roof is clean and completely clear of debris. Once the snow starts falling, you’ll be glad you did.
