We may have had some unseasonably warm weather so far this fall, but be advised: harsh winter weather is truly on the way, and you’re going to want to be prepared for its arrival. There are a number of chores you should complete outdoors as you get ready for the winter, one of the most important of which is preparing your roof.
Here are a few steps you can take to make sure your roof is ready to handle the strain of the winter weather that’s coming your way:
- Clean out all the gutters: As leaves and debris collect in your gutters, they create a clog in the downspouts, causing rain to overflow and damage your roof, siding and trim. As the weather continues to get colder, all of this wet debris will eventually freeze, creating a great deal of extra weight that your gutters were not designed to handle. This means they could pull loose from their anchor points or even collapse entirely. To prevent these types of problems and to avoid the costs associated with unwanted repairs, make sure you take some time to get up and clean the cutters around your home. You can even install gutters with protectors to make sure debris doesn’t collect inside of them to begin with.
- Clear debris from the top of your roof: If you are able to easily get up on top of your roof, make sure you spend some time removing leaves, pine needles and other types of debris from the surface. This debris will hold moisture, meaning it could rot or mold. This mold and rot could extend to your roofing material, causing its surface to break down as well. You should only do this if you are confident about walking on your roof, however; your safety is always the first priority. Otherwise, simply get what you can reach with a long broom and brush it off your house. Better to get what you can reach from the ground than nothing at all.
- Check for any roofing damage or deterioration: Scan the surface of your roof for any missing or damaged shingles, getting up on the roof if possible or necessary. Check for any damaged flashing around chimneys, vent stacks and skylights. Seek out expert help to replace or repair this flashing before the harsh winter weather hits.
- Check the insulation and ventilation in your attic: If you do not have appropriate airflow in your attic, you will have more energy loss than truly needed, which could increase the amount you’re paying in your energy bills. Hot air will turn into condensation, leading to moisture damage and potential mold or rot in your attic and roofing. This heat loss can also cause ice dams to form on your roof, which could cause some severe structural damage. Therefore, make sure your home is properly insulated and not losing any heat through its roof.
For more information about preparing your roof for winter, contact a roofing contractor in Calgary from Rhino Exteriors today.