Your home's roof is one of its most valuable components; not only does it play a huge role in your home's exterior appearance, but it protects and insulates your home while providing essential structural support. Regular maintenance is essential to maximize your roof's lifespan and ensure it functions properly. Follow these winter roofing tips to keep your roof looking and working its best.
It's important to regularly remove any sticks, debris, and leaves from your gutters, as these items will prevent rainfall and winter precipitation from properly draining. When gutters are clogged and don't work correctly, this moisture stays near your home, contributing to a slew of potential problems, like mildew, mold, and water damage.
Clear gutters will also help snow and ice from winter storms melt and drain off your roof. You want melted precipitation to promptly leave your home's roof so that it doesn't refreeze and damage your roofing materials.
If your yard has a lot of trees or tall vegetation, you want to keep them trimmed and shaped so that they don't come too close to your roof. Trees or other plants that are too near your roof can lose leaves and branches that might damage your roof or clog your gutters.
Roof flashing is a material installed around certain areas of your roof to help direct the flow of moisture. For example, roof flashing is commonly used around fireplace chimneys to direct water to your shingles so that it can flow into your gutters and away from your home.
Damaged roof flashing greatly increases your home's risk of experiencing a leak. Have your home's winter roofing inspected annually so you can detect and repair or replace any damaged components.
On a brisk winter night, it's common for animals to search for a warmer spot to call home. Unfortunately, even a small opening in your roof provides an entry point for creatures capable of squeezing and contorting their bodies.
Have these entry points closed off, and confirm that there are no animals residing in your home's attic, chimney, or ventilation system.
While your roof offers some insulation, many homes have insulation between the roof and the home's living areas. An attic is a place that commonly has home insulation.
Your winter roofing checklist should include confirming that your home has sufficient insulation, and if it doesn't, adding additional insulating materials. An added benefit is that properly insulating your home will make it easier to maintain a comfortable interior temperature, helping you reduce your heating and cooling bills.
Worried that your roof isn't ready for winter? Cooper Roofing & Solar is here to help. Call us at 702-688-7940 or visit us online to request a free estimate.