Before the winter season, most houses aren’t properly maintained and most roofs are exposed to the elements, which leads to rotting, rusting, cracking, and other problems. The roof can also easily catch fire, causing an immense amount of damage for homeowners as the hot attic will eventually cause the whole house to burn.
Because of this, it’s important that roof maintenance should be done properly to spot some warning signs that you may need roof repair and other services before the winter season comes.
Below are three smart and simple roof maintenance tips you should do before the winter season:
1. Clean Your Gutters
One of the most important roof maintenance tips you should do before the winter comes is to make sure that your gutters are clear. A gutter that has been clogged with snow and ice will allow both of these to enter your roof, causing water damage to your house and roof, which will eventually ruin your house’s siding.
You can check your gutters with a special type of rain gauze, which is made of rubber and has a small hole in it. Check if the hole isn’t covered with any sort of debris. If it’s covered with dirt, there’s a good chance that your gutter has clogged up, so you should clean it up right away.
If your gutters aren’t clear, you can try to clear the dirt from them yourself, but you should always take your time and make sure you don’t harm the tree or shrubs below you. Instead, you can get some gutter cleaners and use them as a quick fix for any damage that may have occurred in your gutter.
Also, when you do start cleaning your gutters in the winter, be careful not to use harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning products. This can cause your gutters to get clogged up even further and could even cause them to get damaged completely. Make sure that you only use a soft brush and that you don’t rub the brush into the sides of your gutter or any of the edges. Rather, just scrub the sides with the brush.
If you need professional help in cleaning your gutters, you can hire a reliable roofing contractor, like Jackson contracting, to handle your roofing needs before winter strikes. These professionals can inspect your roof and see how they can proceed with the gutter cleaning.
Remember, regular inspection of the guttering system will ensure that it’s properly cleaned at least once a month. If you find that your gutters are clogged, you need to hire an expert who can effectively clear clogs for you.
2. Remove Leaves From The Roof And Clean The Chimney
While it’s true that some roofs need more attention than others during the colder months, it doesn’t mean that there’s no roof maintenance that can be done in the fall and winter as a form of preventive measure.
One tip is to make sure that you remove any leaves from your roof before it starts to freeze. This can be quite hard if you don’t want to dig around in the middle of the night, which can be a hassle if you’re working during the day.
Additionally, it’s important to clean the chimney before winter comes. Chimneys are one of the main concerns of a roofing professional because there are times when they’re affected by heavy winds. During these times, you need to make sure that you remove any debris that’s on the roof as soon as possible. Doing so will prevent any damage from the wind when the winter season comes.
3. Trim The Surrounding Trees
Another good roof maintenance tip is to trim the trees before the snow starts to fall. While decorating holiday trees is fun, this isn’t what’s important here. When you get all the tree limbs out of the ground, make sure to clean up any loose debris that they may have left in their wake. Trimming the trees before the snow starts to fall makes them safer in the winter, and it’ll be easier for you to move them around, especially if they’re too large for the driveway.
While they may cost more in the winter, trimming the trees before the snow hits can prevent them from blowing off your roof. Even if you have a large tree that’s sturdy enough to keep itself off your roof, remember to trim them before you put them on. This can ensure that they stay put during the harsh weather and that they won’t blow away in the wind.
Conclusion
A roof is not just a protective covering but a part of your home that require regular maintenance. If you don’t have the right roof maintenance tips to do before winter, you can end up with a damaged roof in winter, which can cause trouble and expenses later on.
As with any type of work, you need to have the roof maintenance done properly. So, keep these maintenance tips in mind so you’ll know how to protect your roofing system throughout the winter season. In case you want a professional to maintain your roof, you can always hire someone to do the job. Just make sure you do some research before you choose a residential roofing contractor.
